The following are a dozen fuel savings tips from Chevrolet Certified Service at Bob Maguire Chevrolet:
1. Engine Maintenance – A properly maintained engine can improve fuel economy about 4 percent, according to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fixing a serious issue – such as faulty oxygen sensor – can boost mileage up
to 40 percent. Never ignore a service-engine-soon light.
2. Pump Up – Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. Properly inflated tires are safer and
last longer. Under-inflated tires can lower fuel economy by 0.3 percent for every one pound-per-square-inch
drop in the pressure of all four tires. Do not rely solely on the tire pressure monitoring system to detect an underinflated
tire – it’s best to check tires with a good gauge once a month and check your owner’s manual for more
information.
3. Unpack – Carrying unneeded cargo makes your vehicle work harder and use more gas. The EPA says an extra
100 pounds reduces fuel economy up to 2 percent – even more in smaller vehicles. A loaded roof rack cuts fuel
economy by up to 5 percent. About a quarter of each gallon of gas goes toward overcoming wind resistance, so
when cargo rides on top of the vehicle, fuel economy is reduced. Even empty ski/snowboard and bike racks can
affect aerodynamics, so remove them when the seasons are over.
4. Slow Down – While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas
mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, according to the EPA. Every 5 mph over 60 mph is like
adding an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas.
5. Avoid Idling – A car gets 0 mpg when the engine is idling: While it does take a small amount of fuel to restart a
vehicle, 15 minutes in the drive-through can burn through a quarter of a gallon of fuel. So that dollar menu is more
like a $2 menu.
6. Chill Out – Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5
percent in city driving.
7. Put it in Overdrive – Using an overdrive gear on the highway reduces engine speed, saving both fuel and engine
wear.
8. Roll ‘Em Down Around Town – Air conditioning reduces fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. Avoid using the air
conditioner by rolling down the windows at speeds below 40 mph. At speeds above 45 mph, wind drag uses more
fuel than running the A/C.
9. Unclog – It’s hard to run if you can’t breathe. Older cars without fuel injection and computer-controlled technology
can lose 14 percent of their fuel economy because of a dirt-clogged air filter, which also can damage the engine.
A clean air filter improves acceleration. An air filter full of dirt makes the engine work harder and can let in
impurities that damage the engine. Replacing a severely plugged filter improves fuel economy by up to 14 percent,
according to the EPA. In modern cars, replacing a dirty or clogged air filter improves acceleration performance.
10. Use the Right Oil – Because oil reduces engine friction and friction makes an engine work harder, using the
manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil improves fuel economy by 1 percent to 2 percent.
11. Plan your Trips – Taking your kids to soccer or swim classes? Grocery shopping? Plan routes and timing to avoid
heavy periods of traffic congestion.
12. Cap Check – Loose or poorly fitting gas gaps not only can trigger a “check engine light” warning; they send 147
million gallons of gasoline into the air as vapor every year, according to a report by the Discovery Channel. A
missing or poorly fitting cap can reduce fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.