Jeep Fuel Efficiency: Tips For Improving Mileage

Improving the fuel economy of your Jeep Wrangler is a challenging task. While there are no easy fixes, there are some modifications you can make to increase fuel efficiency and save money on gas. Firstly, consider the weight of your vehicle. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk, such as heavy gear and equipment. Additionally, think about the aerodynamics of your Jeep. You can reduce wind resistance by removing roof racks, bumpers, and skid plates. Another way to improve fuel economy is to ensure regular maintenance, including oil changes and air filter replacements. While these changes may not drastically improve your mileage, they can help you save money at the pump.

Remove unnecessary items from your Jeep to reduce weight

To improve fuel economy, one of the most important things you can do is reduce the weight of your Jeep. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Remove Heavy Items from the Trunk

A heavy Jeep is not fuel-efficient. Remove unnecessary items from your Jeep to reduce weight. This includes items like bottle jacks, tool bags, air compressors, camping gear, fridge freezers, recovery gear, sports equipment, yard equipment, and grocery items. Only keep what you specifically need for your adventure.

Replace the Hard Top with a Soft Top

The hard top on a Jeep JK/JKU/JL/JLU weighs between 142 and 155 lbs, while the factory soft top weighs around 40-45 lbs, including the mechanism. By switching to a soft top, you can reduce the curb weight of your Jeep by over 100 lbs.

Remove the Soft Top's Frame

If you decide to go with a soft top, consider choosing a frameless option. The frame of the soft top weighs about 31 lbs, and there are plenty of frameless options available on the market, such as the Frameless Black Montana from Rugged Ridge.

Remove the Floor Mats

Instead of having four floor mats, use a single mat made of rubberized copolymer on the driver's side. It's easy to dry and won't get soaked. This simple change can save you about 4 lbs.

Remove the Back Seat

If you're not planning on having passengers in the back seat, consider removing it altogether. This can save you about 70 lbs and give you more cargo space. You can even use the empty cargo area as a bed if needed.

Remove Skid Plates

Factory skid plates can be quite heavy, and they may not provide much protection. Instead of relying on skid plates, consider investing in a quality lift kit to get higher ground clearance. This can help reduce the overall weight of your Jeep.

Use Smaller Tires and Wheels

While larger tires may be tempting, they can reduce your torque, increase inertia, and waste fuel. Smaller tires and wheels will improve your fuel economy and provide a smoother ride. This simple switch can reduce the weight of your Jeep by up to 100 lbs.

Carry Less Water

Water is incredibly heavy, and you may not need to carry as much as you think. Consider investing in a portable water purifier to filter water from various sources along your journey. This will reduce the amount of water you need to carry and, in turn, reduce the weight of your Jeep.

Lighten Your Tool Kit

Only bring the tools and spares you absolutely need. There's no point in shedding weight in some areas if you're just going to bring along heavy tools and spare parts. Pack smart and bring only what's essential for your trip.

Remove Unnecessary Tags

You'd be surprised at how much weight you can save by removing unnecessary tags from your clothes, shoes, bags, and devices. It may not seem like much, but those small tags can add up to several hundred grams.

Choose Lighter Aftermarket Upgrades

When replacing factory parts with aftermarket ones, always consider the weight. Look for lightweight alternatives that can help you shed pounds without sacrificing functionality. For example, you can find lighter rear driveshafts, exhaust systems, steering rods, and more.

Use a Lighter Wheel for the Spare Tire

While steel wheels are generally stronger and more durable, aluminum wheels are much lighter. If you're looking to reduce weight, consider using an aluminum wheel for your spare tire. This can reduce the gross weight of your Jeep by about 10 lbs.

Remove Rear Seat Belt Retractors

Each rear seat belt retractor weighs about 3.8 lbs. By removing them, you can save almost 8 lbs. Just make sure you're not compromising safety in the process.

Use a Lightweight Tire Carrier

Instead of using a rear bumper with a built-in tire carrier, opt for a lightweight tire carrier like the Smittybilt 2743. It can handle oversized tires and has a high payload capacity, all while weighing only 24.5 lbs.

Install a Fiberglass Hood

Fiberglass hoods are lightweight and can help decrease temperatures under the hood. They're also relatively affordable, starting at around $450. By switching to a fiberglass hood, you can reduce the weight of your Jeep by 25-50 lbs.

Replace the Front Grille

ABS plastic front grilles are lightweight and can add a unique look to your Jeep. They're also quite strong, so you won't be sacrificing durability. This simple swap can save you about 2 lbs.

Remember, even small weight reductions can make a noticeable difference in fuel economy. So, go through your Jeep and be mindful of the weight of the items you're carrying. Every pound counts when it comes to improving fuel efficiency.

Regularly maintain your Jeep and limit drag

Regular maintenance of your Jeep is essential to ensure optimal fuel efficiency. Here are some key tips to maintain your Jeep and limit drag:

Engine Maintenance

It is important to keep your engine well-maintained to reduce friction and improve fuel efficiency. Regularly changing your engine oil is crucial, as clean oil decreases friction, leading to better miles-per-gallon. Additionally, replacing your air filter ensures optimal airflow to the engine, allowing it to perform at its best. Upgrading to a high-flow air filter can further improve fuel efficiency by enhancing airflow while also reducing maintenance needs.

Reduce Weight and Drag

Items like roof racks add weight and increase wind resistance, negatively impacting fuel economy. Remove any unnecessary items, including roof racks and other accessories, when not in use. Consider using a spare tire or hitch-mounted rack for your gear, as these have a much smaller impact on mileage.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and friction, making your engine work harder. Check your tire pressure regularly, as tires lose pressure over time and with temperature changes. Refer to your vehicle's manual for the recommended tire pressure.

Avoid Heavy Add-ons

Heavy add-ons like larger tires, heavier bumpers, winches, and suspension components significantly reduce fuel economy. If possible, avoid installing these items unless absolutely necessary. If you have larger tires, consider re-gearing to reduce stress on the engine.

Driving Habits

Your driving habits also play a significant role in fuel efficiency. Avoid sudden acceleration and jerky stop-and-go driving. Instead, aim for smoother, gradual starts and maintain a steady speed. Driving at higher speeds increases fuel consumption, so staying within speed limits can help improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, when on highways, using cruise control can help maintain a consistent speed and reduce fuel consumption.

Keep the start/stop function engaged

Keeping the start/stop function engaged is one way to improve the fuel economy of your Jeep. This innovative technology is designed to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by minimising idling time. The system automatically shuts off the engine when your Jeep is stationary and seamlessly restarts it when you release the brake pedal.

The start/stop function is particularly beneficial for city driving with frequent idling. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the fuel economy improvements of this function were between 7.27% and 26.4% in fuel use during testing. So, if you're often navigating through urban areas with stop-and-go traffic, keeping the start/stop function engaged can make a noticeable difference in your fuel consumption.

Additionally, the Jeep Start-Stop system is designed with smart features. It uses sensors to detect the brake pedal position, battery voltage, accelerator pedal position, and engine temperature to determine when to shut off and restart the engine. It also includes a smart battery sensor that optimises battery charging and longevity. This means that while the system helps improve fuel efficiency, it also works to maintain the health of your Jeep's battery.

The start/stop system is similar to those found in other car brands, such as Volkswagen, Volvo, and Mitsubishi. It is a widely adopted technology aimed at providing a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly driving experience. By reducing idling time, these systems contribute to lowering carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption, earning the support of regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

While some drivers may find this function annoying or inconvenient, especially in heavy traffic, it is designed to handle the repeated starting and stopping of the engine. It is important to remember that this technology is specifically engineered for this purpose and can help you maximise your fuel economy, especially during city driving.

Check your tyre pressure regularly

Checking your tyre pressure regularly is an essential aspect of optimising fuel efficiency in your Jeep. Tyre pressure is a key factor in the safety and performance of your vehicle, influencing fuel efficiency, handling, braking, and tyre lifespan.

The air inside your Jeep's tyres gradually escapes, and tyres can adjust around 1-2 psi for every 10 degrees of temperature change. Therefore, it is crucial to check your tyre pressure regularly, ideally once a month or before long trips, to ensure they are inflated to the recommended level.

Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, making your engine work harder and increasing fuel consumption. They also wear out more quickly and unevenly, leading to premature replacements. Conversely, over-inflated tyres can negatively impact handling and braking distance.

The recommended tyre pressure for your Jeep can be found in the owner's manual or on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or glove box. It is important to note that you should not use the maximum pressure printed on the tyre's sidewall.

By maintaining the correct tyre pressure, you can improve your fuel efficiency, reduce unnecessary tyre wear, and ensure your safety on the road.

Improve your driving habits

Improving your driving habits is one of the most effective ways to increase your Jeep's fuel economy. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Accelerate Gently

Avoid harsh acceleration and take your time to gently ease onto the accelerator. This will help you use less fuel. For example, take about 5 seconds to accelerate up to 20 kilometres per hour from a stop.

Maintain a Steady Speed

Try to keep your speed as consistent as possible. Tests show that varying your speed between 75 and 85 kilometres per hour every 18 seconds can increase your fuel use by 20%. Using cruise control on the highway can help you maintain a steady speed. However, it's also good to let your speed vary slightly when gravity can do the work. For example, let your speed drop when travelling uphill, and then regain momentum as you roll downhill.

Anticipate Traffic

Look ahead and keep an eye on what pedestrians and other cars are doing. This will help you anticipate what they will do next, allowing you to keep your speed steady and use less fuel. It's also safer to drive this way.

Avoid High Speeds

Keep to the speed limit, especially if you're driving above 50 kilometres per hour, as most vehicles' fuel efficiency decreases significantly at these speeds. For instance, at 120 kilometres per hour, a vehicle uses about 20% more fuel than at 100 kilometres per hour.

Coast to Decelerate

Instead of using your brakes, which wastes your forward momentum, take your foot off the accelerator and coast to slow down. By looking ahead, you can often anticipate when it's time to slow down and conserve fuel.

Remove Unnecessary Weight

The heavier your Jeep, the less fuel-efficient it is. Remove unnecessary items such as golf clubs, sports equipment, and camping gear. Only keep what you need for the day or for your off-road adventures.

Regular Maintenance

Keep your Jeep well-maintained to improve fuel efficiency. This includes regularly changing your oil, replacing air and fuel filters, and ensuring your tires are properly inflated. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended motor oil grade and tire pressure.

Limit Drag

Remove roof racks, bicycle racks, or any other accessories that are not in use. These add weight and increase wind resistance, reducing your fuel efficiency.

Frequently asked questions