No matter what car you drive, you likely want to get as many miles per gallon as you can. While you can start off on the right foot by limiting your search to fuel-efficient cars, there are also some other things you can do to maximize fuel efficiency. Take a look at some of the best tips to increase your gas mileage.
Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance
One of the most important things to do to maximize gas mileage is take care of regular maintenance. With oil changes from Jiffy Lube, for example, you will keep your engine running efficiently. That, in turn, translates into better fuel efficiency. Rotating your tires is another example of maintenance that can boost your miles per gallon.
Don’t Drive Aggressively
Your habits while you drive have a significant impact on your gas mileage. Even the most fuel-efficient cars won’t go as far per gallon if you drive too aggressively. Specifically, you want to avoid hard braking and rapid acceleration. In stop-and-go traffic, these actions can reduce your gas mileage by 10 to 40 percent. At highway speeds, aggressive driving can reduce fuel efficiency 15 to 30 percent.
Reduce Your Idling
Yet another driving habit that can reduce how many miles per gallon you get is idling. If you will be waiting for a while, turn off your engine and restart it. Even with fuel-efficient cars, you can expect to use between a quarter and a half of a gallon of gas per hour you spend idling. By contrast, restarting your car after turning it off will only use the amount of gas you would consume in 10 seconds of driving.
Follow the Speed Limit
No matter where you are driving or whether you are behind the wheel of the most fuel-efficient cars, you want to make sure to drive at a reasonable speed. It can be tempting to try to get to your destination more quickly, but this not only puts you at risk of a collision. It also results in fewer miles per gallon.
For most cars, you will start to notice a drop in fuel efficiency after you reach about 50 mph. Some estimates say that just reducing your speed on the highway by 5 to 10 mph can boost your gas mileage by 7 to 14 percent.
Maintain a Consistent Speed
In addition to avoiding speeding, you will get the most miles per gallon if you maintain a consistent speed whenever possible. Start by using cruise control when it is safe to do so. You also want to avoid situations where you have to stop and start your car excessively, such as driving during rush hour. Even getting a fast pass instead of stopping at the toll booth can make a difference.
Jiffy Lube Helps You Maximize Fuel Efficiency
While choosing the right car is a great starting point to maximize your fuel efficiency, you also want to keep your car in good shape and drive efficiently. While you have to handle the first and last of these yourself, Jiffy Lube will gladly help you keep your fuel-efficient car in tip-top condition.
