1. Slow down
One of the best ways to save gas is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases, fuel economy
decreases exponentially. If you one of the “ten-over on the freeway” set, try driving the speed limit for a
few days. You’ll save a lot of fuel and your journey won’t take much longer. (Just be sure you keep to
the right, so you won’t impede the less-enlightened.)
2. Check your tire pressure
Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of crummy MPG. Tires lose air due to
time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature (1 psi for every 10 degree drop); under-inflated tires have
more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable
tire gauge and check your tires at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold, since
driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a
falsely high reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner’s manual or on the data plate in the
driver’s door jamb.
3. Check your air filter
A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Air filters
are easy to check and change; remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. If you can’t see light coming through
it, you need a new one. Consider a K&N or similar “permanent” filter which is cleaned rather than changed;
they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper filters, plus they’re better for the environment.
4. Accelerate with care
Jack-rabbit starts are an obvious fuel-waster — but that doesn’t mean you should crawl away from every light.
If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears.
Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the revs down, but don’t lug the engine — downshift if you need to
accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to speed then have to
brake right away, that’s wasted fuel.
5. Get back to nature
Consider shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows and enjoying the breeze. It may be a tad warmer,
but at lower speeds you’ll save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind
resistance from open windows and sunroof. If I’m going someplace where arriving sweaty and smelly could be
a problem, I bring an extra shirt and leave early so I’ll have time for a quick change.
6. Back off the bling
New wheels and tires may look cool, and they can certainly improve handling. But if they are wider than the
stock tires, chances are they’ll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy. If you upgrade your
wheels and tires, keep the old ones. I have fancy sport rims and aggressive tires on my own car, but I keep the
stock wheels with a good narrower-tread performance tire in the garage. For long road trips, the stock wheels
give a smoother ride and better economy.
7. Clean out your car
If you’re the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness — and I definitely fall into that
category — periodically go through your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It
doesn’t take much to acquire an extra 40 or 50 lbs. of stuff, and the more weight your car has to lug around,
the more fuel it burns.
8. Downsize
If you’re shopping for a new car, it’s time to re-evaluate how much car you really need. Smaller cars are
inherently more fuel-efficient, and today’s small cars are roomier than ever. Worried about crash protection?
The automakers are designing their small cars to survive crashes with bigger vehicles, and safety features
like side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control are becoming commonplace in smaller cars.
9. Don’t drive
Not a popular thing to say on a car site, I know, but the fact is that if you can avoid driving, you’ll save gas.
Take the train, carpool, and consolidate your shopping trips. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your
health. And before you get in your car, always ask yourself: “Is this trip really necessary?”
