The United States Department
of Energy released an updated report with tips for you to drive more efficiently and reduce the
amount of gas you use. Here are five tips that you can implement to start saving money on
fuel expenses:
Remove Excess Weight
For daily use, avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones that are going to weight down your car. In terms of fuel efficiency, this affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones but you should still keep your vehicle as light as possible.Drive Sensibly
If you speed, accelerate rapidly or brake abruptly, you are going to waste gas. Driving sensibly can help you improve fuel
economy by up to 5% around town, and up to 33% at highway speeds. This means you can start saving anywhere from $0.14 to $0.93 per gallon when driving more sensibly and cautiously.
Respect the Speed Limit
Make sure you consult at which speed your vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy so you can take
that information into consideration as you drive. Usually, gas mileage decreases sharply at speeds above 50 mph. On average, for each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph, you will be consuming an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked and avoid waiting inside with the engine running for long periods of time. Idling can cost you between $0.01 to $0.02 per minute if you don't have the AC on, with the AC turned on the cost increases abruptly.Do Not Haul Cargo on Your Roof
Since hauling cargo on your roof
increases wind resistance, your fuel economy will be lower when you are carrying items on top of your vehicle. If you use an
external cargo container, remove it when it's not in use to save
fuel and, as a result, save money.
If you want to increase your car's fuel efficiency and spend less
money on gas, start taking into account these tips and make them part of your routine. Stay tuned for our next blog post where we will be highlighting the most fuel-efficient gas-powered non-hybrid in America, the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage.
8701 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Florida
Contact: 800-515-1062
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
