If you want to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy, you don’t necessarily need to purchase any custom equipment or fuel additives. All it takes is a little adjustment of your driving practices, while staying up to date with your routine vehicle maintenance in Madison, TN.
Here are just a few examples of some of the simple steps you can take to improve your car’s gas mileage:
- Slow down: The faster you drive, the more fuel your vehicle will eat up per mile. Keeping your speeds below 60 miles per hour can be a big help. Of course, on some highways this isn’t going to be feasible, so just try to keep your speeds near the speed limit rather than forcing the pedal to the metal the entire time you’re out on the open road.
- Don’t idle your engine: It’s better to turn off your engine if it’s not in use. The more you idle, the more gas you waste, so if you plan on being stopped for a few minutes or longer, it’s better to just shut the vehicle down so you can avoid burning fuel that you could otherwise save.
- Keep up with your maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for the long-term health of your vehicle. Not only does it keep all your most important systems in good condition, but it also helps you get the best gas mileage possible while you’re driving. For example, staying on top of your oil changes and keeping the air pressure in your tires at the proper levels are two very simple steps that can make a positive difference in terms of your vehicle’s fuel economy.
- Don’t slam on the pedals: You can save some energy by avoiding hard acceleration and braking. Every time you put your foot on the gas it sends more fuel into the engine, so if you slam on the accelerator to speed up very quickly, it uses more gas. Therefore, it’s best to accelerate and brake slowly when possible. Increase your stopping distances, and give your vehicle a bit more time to get up to your desired speed. This might mean staying in the slow lane on the highway, but if fuel economy is important to you, then it’s worth it to make this a habit.
- Rid your vehicle of excess weight: Are you constantly hauling items in your trunk? The more you carry around in your vehicle, the less efficient your vehicle will be when you’re out on the road.
- Use your vehicle’s economy mode: There are some types of vehicles that have an “economy mode” installed, where with the press of a button you can disable some non-essential systems to make your vehicle more efficient. Use this mode if you want to increase your fuel economy.
These are just a few ways you can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage. If you have any questions about boosting your gas mileage or need to schedule some routine vehicle maintenance in Madison, TN, reach out to the team at Madison Muffler & Auto Repair today.