With summer in full swing, there’s a good chance your calendar is occupied by a road trip or two. While the open road is the perfect complement to a hot July day, it can also take a big bite out of your wallet. This summer, follow a couple of simple fuel economy tips. They’ll help you spend less at the pump, and more on your journey to see the World’s Largest Ball of Twine.
- Premium fuel isn’t always preferred. It won’t boost your car’s fuel economy or performance, either. Instead, buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your vehicle. Unless yours requires premium gasoline, filling up with high-octane is a waste of hard-earned cash. Not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car? Your owner’s manual should fill you in on what’s allowable.
- Don’t top it off. Are you one of those drivers who fill your car’s tank until the dollar amount hits a nice even number? Doing so is wasting your money. Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off. Anything more will simply slop around or seep out.
- Tighten that cap. Gas can evaporate from your car’s tank if it has an easy way out. Loose, missing, or damaged gas caps result in 147 million gallons of gas that evaporates each year. That’s a lot of needless waste.
- Aim for the shade. Sun making your car feel like a sauna? It’s also costing you money. The hot summer sun will zap fuel from your gas tank, and lead to a larger amount of evaporative emissions. Rather, find a shady spot next to a building or tree whenever one is available. A good windshield shade can also help keep heat out of your vehicle.
- Retire to the garage. Got a garage that’s full of boxes and bikes? Clear it out and park your vehicle inside. It helps keep your car cool in the summer and warm in the winter, reducing the need for gas-guzzling air-conditioning.
- Pump up your tires. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box, then compare your tire pressure with the recommended pressure in your owner’s manual. A good time to check tires is early in the morning after your car has been idle overnight.
- Keep a healthy engine. Fixing a vehicle that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by roughly 4%. Be sure to treat your vehicle to regular tune-ups, and also keep an eye out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30%.
- Replace air filters. Along with spark plugs, you should watch your engine’s air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust, and bugs, it makes your engine work harder. In turn, your vehicle becomes less fuel efficient. Replacing a clogged filter could improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, and save you 15 cents per gallon.
- Use the right oil. By sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil, you can improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Look for a product with the words “energy conserving” on the API performance label, as this oil contains friction-reducing additives.
- Follow maintenance guidelines. The performance of your vehicle depends on routine maintenance. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure your vehicle runs as efficiently as possible.
By observing some simple fuel efficiency guidelines, you’ll have more cash to travel further and play longer. Happy road tripping!
