Wondering how to improve fuel economy on your current vehicle? You’re not alone. Everybody wants to get the most out of their tank of gas in order to keep more hard-earned money in their pockets. Here at Seacoast Mazda, we’ve come up with 4 simple tips that anyone can do improve the gas mileage on their vehicle.
TL;DR
Wondering how to improve fuel economy without buying a new car? Start with the basics: swap your air filter, keep tires properly inflated, ditch unused roof racks, and drive more smoothly. Small habits and quick maintenance checks add up to real savings at the pump — and if your current vehicle still isn’t cutting it, a newer, more efficient model might be worth considering.
Key Takeaways
- Air filter: A clean air filter improves airflow to your engine and helps your vehicle run more efficiently.
- Tire pressure: Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance, which directly hurts fuel efficiency — check it regularly.
- Roof racks: Unused roof racks and boxes add drag and lower your miles per gallon; remove them when not needed.
- Driving habits: Smooth acceleration and braking at moderate speeds is one of the most effective answers to how to improve fuel economy.
- Vehicle age: If you’ve tried these fixes and still aren’t seeing results, an older vehicle with outdated technology may be the real culprit.
What Should You Do to Increase Fuel Economy?
Anyone out there looking to save some extra money should first take a look at their vehicle to determine whether or not they are unnecessarily losing any extra gas mileage. There are many different ways that can help such as doing simple changes to your driving habits, and changes to your vehicle itself that can improve fuel economy. Learning how to improve fuel economy isn’t just about driving smarter, sometimes it comes down to the technology under the hood. While getting yourself into a brand new vehicle may not seem like the most cost-effective approach at first, in the long run a newer vehicle with better technology under the hood can play a huge role in how much of your hard-earned money is spent at the pump. If your vehicle is older and reaching high mileage it might be time to start thinking about a newer model, we can help get you into a nicer and newer vehicle here at Seacoast Mazda.
Air Filter
Much like replacing your spark plugs, changing the air filter in your vehicle is a great way to not only increase airflow to your engine, but to increase the dollar amount in your bank account.
Check Tire Pressure
Tires, believe it or not, can greatly impact your fuel economy. When tire pressure is low, rolling resistance increases, which can rob you of fuel efficiency. This is one of the easiest and most overlooked answers to how to improve fuel economy — a quick pressure check can make a real difference.
Remove Roof Racks
While having the roof rack on your vehicle is a great way to increase your storage capabilities, it can really harm how many miles your vehicle gets per gallon. Roof rails and the “aerodynamic roof boxes increase your vehicle’s drag and that isn’t good for those trying to maximize fuel efficiency.
Improved Driving Habits
While putting the pedal to the metal off of those pesky red lights might be fun and can create an exhilarating driving experience, it does nothing but harm your miles per gallon. The same can be said for suddenly hitting the brakes when travelling at higher speeds. We know that driving fast is something that everybody enjoys, but the best fuel efficiency is achieved in lower speeds.
These are just a handful of simple tricks for how to improve fuel economy, but they’re a great place to start. Check your tire pressure, remove your roof rails if you don’t need them, and ease off the gas pedal a bit. If you’ve tried all these tips and still aren’t getting the mileage you want, it might be time for a new vehicle. Check out our inventory of Mazda vehicles to find the perfect fit for your family’s needs — and keep your wallet happy.
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