Improve Your Fuel Efficiency in Five Steps

How To Improve Gas Mileage in 5 Steps

Whether you’re dealing with rising gas prices or looking at ways to shrink your budget, now is a great time to reflect on your driving habits. You can help improve your fuel efficiency with five simple steps.

1. Clear out the extra clutter
   
   There are some items you should keep in your car, like an emergency kit. However, as little as 100 pounds can reduce your fuel efficiency. Clear out forgotten backpacks, sports equipment and extra books, and you’ll be amazed at how things add up.
   
   Don’t forget about the outside of your car, too. When you’re not using them, remove add-ons that increase wind resistance and decrease fuel efficiency, such as:
   

   • Roof racks
   • Cargo boxes
   • Bike racks
   Rear-mounted cargo boxes are a better option if you need to haul additional items. Fueleconomy.gov research shows that at highway speeds, roof-mounted cargo boxes can reduce fuel economy by 8% to 25%, while their rear-mounted counterparts typically have a 1% to 5% impact.

    

2. Limit idling
   
   You may have noticed that many new GM vehicles feature the stop-start system, which can help get better gas mileage. This allows cars to conserve fuel by automatically shutting down the engine when the car comes to a stop. The engine automatically restarts when the brake is released.
   
   Surprisingly, idling uses more fuel than restarting your car and gives off 80% more pollution than when your car is in motion. The next time you come to a stop and are waiting for someone, consider turning off your engine to save on fuel.

3. Keep your speed steady and within the speed limit
   
   After reaching 45-50 mph, your car begins to lose fuel efficiency, which is like paying more for gas. It’s best to drive the speed limit and use cruise control or Super Cruise when possible. Rapid acceleration and hard braking quickly eat up fuel, lowering your gas mileage between 10% and 40%, according to fueleconomy.gov.

4. Check your tire pressure
   
   When your tires are underinflated, fuel consumption can increase by as much as 3%. Without proper tire inflation, you risk wearing down your tread more quickly or having a blowout. Check your owner’s manual or the sticker on the inside of the driver door for the correct PSI for your tires. When replacing your tires, make sure you get the proper tires for your vehicle.

5. Perform regular maintenance
   
   Dirty air filters, spark plugs and connections can all affect your fuel economy. When you follow the maintenance schedule recommended for your vehicle, it will run more efficiently and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Schedule regular tuneups with the Certified Service experts at your local dealership to replace air filters, change oil, rotate tires and more.
   
   Bonus: Think about the weather
   
   Winter and summer temperatures can also impact your fuel efficiency. If you need to cool down your vehicle in hot weather, roll the windows down when driving at lower speeds to allow the hot air to escape, and then use the air conditioning when you’re on the highway. You can also help your vehicle reach a comfortable cabin temperature faster by parking in the shade.
   
   In cold weather, there will be an unavoidable increase in aerodynamic drag on the vehicle, since colder air is denser than warmer air. Some ways to minimize the loss of fuel efficiency in the winter is to check your tire pressure regularly and don’t idle for too long to warm up the vehicle as the engine warms up faster when the vehicle is being driven.

Now that you know five steps to improve your gas mileage, and some bonus seasonal considerations, put them to work and reduce your trips to the gas station. Want to take fuel out of the equation altogether? Here are five things you should know about EVs.

By Kelly Schaefer Hill, GM Financial

Soccer mom, corgi enthusiast, virtual learning teacher’s assistant, Kelly Schaefer Hill wears a lot of hats, but one thing she can’t stay away from is data and fun facts. When she’s not writing a post to answer your questions, she’s hanging with her family.