Ameer Randolph
Fuel economy is a significant concern for many, with most drivers wanting to get the most out of every tank. Small adjustments to driving habits and vehicle maintenance can lead to substantial savings over time. For example, a gasoline vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost $900 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG, saving $4,500 over five years. This article will explore how much money can be saved through improved fuel economy and provide tips on achieving better mileage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel-efficient cars save money | $900 less in fuel annually for a 30 MPG car compared to a 20 MPG car |
| $4,500 saved over 5 years with a 30 MPG car | |
| Fuel cost calculators are available online | |
| FuelEconomy.gov provides EPA gas mileage estimates | |
| FuelEconomy.gov provides a Plug-in Hybrid Calculator | |
| Federal tax credits are available for clean vehicles | |
| Fuel costs depend on driving practices, such as using roof racks, carrying heavy items, and taking short trips | |
| Idling wastes fuel | |
| Routine car maintenance and tune-ups improve fuel economy | |
| Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy | |
| Using the correct type of motor oil improves fuel economy | |
| Smoother driving with less acceleration and braking improves fuel economy |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel-efficient cars save money
Fuel-efficient cars save you money every time you fill up. For example, a gasoline vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $900 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $3.60 per gallon). Over a period of 5 years, the 30-MPG vehicle will save you $4,500.
There are many ways to improve the fuel efficiency of your car and save money. Firstly, keeping your vehicle well-maintained can have a direct impact on fuel economy. A routine tune-up can improve gas mileage by 4%, which can save about 14 cents per gallon when gas is $3.50, or 16 cents per gallon at $4.00. Some repairs can make a big difference, too. For example, a faulty oxygen sensor can prevent the engine from properly balancing fuel and air, leading to wasted gas.
Another easy way to improve fuel efficiency is to change your driving habits. Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and sudden lane changes waste fuel. Driving smoothly and steadily can save up to 5% on gas in the city and 33% on the highway. Additionally, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve fuel economy by 3%, and using the correct type of motor oil for your car can increase fuel efficiency by 2%.
You can also save money by reducing excess weight in your vehicle. An extra 100 pounds in your car could increase your gas costs by up to 3 cents per gallon. Similarly, roof racks can decrease your fuel economy by up to 8% in city driving and up to 25% at interstate speeds. Finally, consider combining errands to reduce the number of cold starts, as several short trips can use twice as much fuel as one longer trip when the engine is warm.
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Maintenance improves fuel economy
Proper vehicle maintenance can have a direct impact on fuel economy, saving you money at the pump. A routine tune-up can improve gas mileage by 4%, saving about 14 cents per gallon when gas is $3.50, or 16 cents per gallon at $4.00. Some repairs can make a significant difference in fuel efficiency.
Keep Your Engine Tuned
A car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4% if fixed. A faulty oxygen sensor, for example, can prevent the engine from properly balancing fuel and air, leading to wasted gas. Replacing this can improve mileage by up to 40% and save you $0.18 per gallon.
Check Your Tires
Checking and adjusting the pressure of your tires once a month can increase fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in average pressure. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or glove box, and in the owner's manual.
Use the Recommended Motor Oil
Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can improve gas mileage by 1-2%. Using a higher viscosity oil than recommended can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5%.
Replace Clogged Air Filters
Replacing a clogged air filter on older vehicles with carbureted engines can improve fuel economy and acceleration by a few percentage points. While this does not apply to vehicles with fuel-injected, computer-controlled gasoline engines, it can still improve acceleration.
Other Tips
- Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle.
- Use your air conditioning sparingly, as it increases drag on the engine.
- Drive at a slower speed and accelerate gently.
- Keep your brakes serviced to prevent dragging.
- Get an alignment to ensure your wheels are properly positioned.
- Use fuel-efficient vehicles for travel when possible.
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Efficient driving saves fuel
Efficient driving habits can lead to significant cost savings. Driving a fuel-efficient car saves you money every time you fill up at the pump. For example, a gasoline vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $900 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $3.60 per gallon). Over five years, the 30-MPG vehicle will save you $4,500.
There are several ways to improve your fuel efficiency and save money. Firstly, avoid keeping heavy items in your car. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could increase your gas costs by up to $0.03 per gallon. Similarly, reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks, which can decrease your fuel economy by up to 8% in city driving and up to 25% at interstate speeds.
Another way to save fuel is to combine errands. Several short trips, each taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Additionally, minimize idling your car by turning off the engine when parked for more than 10 seconds. Idling can waste a quarter to half a gallon of fuel per hour, adding up to three cents of wasted fuel per minute. In the winter, driving off gently after 30 seconds is recommended, as the engine will warm up faster when driven, reducing fuel costs and emissions.
While improving fuel economy can lead to significant savings, it is important to note that the returns may diminish as fuel economy levels increase. For example, increasing fuel economy from 10 mpg to 11 mpg saves $382 in annual fuel costs, but raising it from 40 mpg to 41 mpg only saves $26. Therefore, it is essential to consider the relative savings at different fuel economy levels when making vehicle purchasing decisions.
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Reduce drag, remove roof racks
The use of roof racks can significantly impact a vehicle's fuel economy. Roof racks increase aerodynamic drag, which becomes more pronounced as speed rises. This additional drag leads to higher fuel consumption, resulting in increased fuel costs for drivers.
A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that roof racks were responsible for 0.8% of light-duty vehicle fuel consumption in the United States in 2015, amounting to 100 million gallons of gasoline. Another study estimated that a roof rack could increase a passenger car's fuel consumption rate by 0-25%. The impact of roof racks on fuel economy is so significant that it could erase up to 40% of the anticipated fuel savings from battery electric vehicles by 2040.
To reduce the negative impact of roof racks on fuel economy, several strategies can be employed:
- Opt for a streamlined, low-profile roof rack: Choose a roof rack design that is sleek and streamlined to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. Aerodynamic roof racks can have significantly lower drag forces, improving fuel economy.
- Remove the roof rack when not in use: Taking off the roof rack when it is not needed can help reduce drag and improve fuel economy, especially during highway driving.
- Practice smooth acceleration and maintain a steady speed: Driving at high speeds increases aerodynamic drag. By being mindful of driving habits and maintaining a steady speed, you can help offset the impact of the roof rack on fuel consumption.
- Distribute weight evenly: When using a roof rack, ensure that the weight of the cargo is evenly distributed. Uneven weight distribution can create more drag and further decrease fuel efficiency.
By implementing these strategies, drivers can minimize the impact of roof racks on their fuel economy, leading to potential cost savings over time.
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Keep tyres inflated to manufacturer recommendations
Keeping your tyres inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure is one of the simplest ways to save money on fuel. Under-inflated tyres can increase your vehicle's fuel consumption by up to 8%, while properly inflated tyres can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%.
The air pressure in your tyres supports the entire weight of your car. Under-inflated tyres cause too much of the tyre to touch the road, increasing friction and making your engine work harder. This increases fuel consumption and can lead to uneven tread wear, with the edges of the tyre wearing out faster. Under-inflated tyres can also be unsafe, as they are among the leading causes of tyre failure and can pose serious safety risks.
While over-inflating your tyres might seem like a simple way to improve fuel efficiency, it is not recommended. Over-inflated tyres give you a bumpier ride and compromise handling, making it harder to maintain control of your vehicle. They can also cause uneven tread wear, and if your tyres have too much air, they could burst unexpectedly from the extra pressure.
So, how do you know if your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure? Most vehicles have a sticker placed on the driver's side door with a chart breaking down the ideal tyre pressure. You can also find this information in your owner's manual or inside the glove compartment. It's a good idea to check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before long trips, using a reliable gauge to ensure accurate readings.
By keeping your tyres inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure, you can save money on fuel and help your tyres last longer, all while ensuring a safer driving experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Fuel economy can save you money every time you fill up. For example, a gasoline vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $900 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG. Over 5 years, this will save you $4,500.
You can improve your fuel economy by keeping up with maintenance, driving more efficiently, and reducing excess weight. For example, a routine tune-up can improve gas mileage by 4%, and keeping your tires properly inflated can improve fuel economy by 3%.
Driving smoothly and steadily can save up to 5% on gas in the city and 33% on the highway. Additionally, minimizing idling by turning off your engine when parked for more than 10 seconds can reduce wasted fuel.
You can use online fuel cost calculators to estimate your annual fuel costs and compare different vehicles' fuel efficiency. These calculators take into account factors such as annual mileage, city vs. highway driving, and fuel costs.
