With fuel prices on the rise, I’m sure most of us are looking for a way to save a few bucks at the pump. Here are 5 simple tips that can help your vehicle obtain the best MPG’s and keep cash in your wallet. (Where it belongs)
1st
Check your tire pressure…Proper tire pressure can be found in the owner’s manual. Also, there is a sticker located on the driver door pillar (Between the front and rear door).
Vehicles with underinflated tires will experience decreased fuel mileage miles per gallon (MPG), along with increased wear/tear and decreased handling. Underinflated tires cause more resistance/drag. While the thought of better traction sounds great in daily driver application tires are designed to function at peak performance when inflated to recommended tire pressure (PSI). In fact, the tread patterns on the tires work best when at recommended tire pressure. Even driving in rain, you want your tires properly inflated to have the optimal grip.
Along with lower MPG’s the tires will wear out quicker and decreased handling from the increased roll due to sidewall not being properly inflated. Check our tire pressure at least once a season (should be more frequently that that but..) Always used the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. For some this is simple task that frequently goes unchecked, and for others it appears a daunting task with fear outweighing the reward.
Even though most people could handle this task with a simple tire pressure gauge for a few bucks. For the non DIYer you can stop into discount tire or other tire shops to get a free check. If you can’t locate a sticker keep your tire pressure at 32-35 psi. When you can locate sticker/owner’s manual Always use recommended psi.
2nd
Another way you could save money at the pump and increase your MPG’s is to check/replace your air filter. Most vehicles intake air filters need to be changed yearly (about every 15k). For the DIYer this can be a quick inexpensive way to increase your fuel economy. For 15-$20 you could not only save money at the pump, but you’ll notice an increase in performance and overall peppiness of your vehicle. The non DIYer can expect to spend between 40-$60 for most cars/SUVs/light trucks to have this done at local shop.
3rd
Next and most expensive way to increase fuel mileage is to replace your vehicles spark plugs. This cost will vary and be specific to vehicle, but the more cylinders your engine has more expensive this is. Also, newer cars that are turbo or supercharged typically use more expensive spark plugs and have a strict replacement interval. The replacement interval can be found in the owner’s manual. Some vehicles recommend 30k while others can go 75k depending on the material the spark plug uses.
Either way spark plugs in need of replacement will provide poor fuel economy, misfires, shutter/hesitation, and potential check engine lights. They can even cause more problems to other vehicle components leading to more costly repairs. If you are unsure, you can always take your vehicle to the shop. But for the experienced DIYer this can be done for much, much cheaper and it’s a big money saver.
4th
4th on our list to increase MPG’s and possibly the cheapest is to empty out that trunk and back seat. Many of us who travel solo a majority of the time tend to keep out trunks and sometimes back seats full of, well, just stuff. It’s a good ideal to lighten the load on our vehicles to help increase fuel mileage. Many people tend to forget how much added weight all our stuff can add up to. That excess weight causes your vehicle to work harder and stop slower. By working harder your car is getting worse fuel economy. So, take the time to empty your trunk and save a few bucks at the pump.
5th
Last and I would argue easiest way to help save fuel is to avoid excessive idling. Anytime you are parked and just on a phone call, ordering, or scrolling through social media, anything longer than 3-5, mins turn your car off. This will easily help you increase your fuel mileage. Though you would think idling uses less fuel, cars can burn more fuel at idle than when under a load.
Think of it this way, your care gets Zero Miles Per Gallon when you’re idling. I’ve even seen parents pick up their kids from school and let car sit and Idle 20 plus mins. This is just killing your fuel mileage. This one is the easiest on the list. Turn your car off and avoid excessive idling. Save yourself a few bucks and use your fuel for driving rather than sitting at idle
Hopefully those 5 tips will help you save some money this season, especially with fuel prices being so high currently. Thanks for visiting, Now at least go check your tire pressure and put this knowledge to good use and start saving money. It’s never to late to save.
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