Tips to Improve Fuel Economy

If your car, truck, van, or SUV isn’t getting the optimum amount of gas mileage out of each gas tank, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to undergo any sort of extensive car repair to correct the issue. The issue may be as simple as having the wrong fuel in car.

There are actually some simple measures that you can take that will help you improve your fuel economy without stressing out your bank account. We all know that extensive vehicle maintenance and full-fledged car repair can end up costing a pretty penny. If you get a little proactive and creative, you can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage on your own, while saving money on multiple fronts.

Gas Cap Inspection

If your vehicle is getting less than stellar gas mileage, the first place you should look is your gas cap. But what do you actually look for if you’re having a gas cap malfunction? Usually a professional will need to inspect your gas cap. If your car has a broken seal or the gas cap is missing, this will represent an easy fix that will help you improve your fuel economy. Gas cap problems will surely impact your gas mileage on a daily basis. It’s also harmful to your surrounding environment due to the fact that a faulty gas cap can introduce harmful fumes into the air.

Alignment Issues

Another way that your gas mileage can be negatively affected is when your alignment is off. If you’ve recently hit a pothole, this can certainly throw off your alignment and negatively impact your fuel economy. When your vehicle’s alignment gets thrown off, this ends up making your precious engine work that much harder to get you from point A to point B. The only problem is that you likely don’t have the expertise or tooling to correct your alignment on your own — at which point it’s a good idea to get your vehicle serviced by a certified professional.

Tire Issues

Improperly inflated tires will not only cause premature tread wear, but it will also negatively impact your fuel economy. Having bald tires reduces road traction, but also can end up having you getting worse gas mileage on a day to day basis. Make sure that your tires are up to date and properly inflated, this way you can get the most out of your vehicle and experience the best possible fuel economy. You’ll also increase your own safety as well as those who drive on the road at the same time as you.

Your Vehicle Might Be Weighed Down

If you’ve been hauling stuff around in your truck or even in the cabin of your vehicle, then this will certainly negatively affect your fuel economy. Try to travel light and make sure that you don’t have a bunch of things in your car, especially if it’s anything heavy.

If you’ve been carpooling and you’re often the driver, make sure that you get a little bit of compensation from those who’ve been getting rides with you, because you will be taking the brunt end of the expenses, both in burning fuel getting to everyone’s destinations, as well as decreased fuel economy. Make sure you also change it up with friends and coworkers — this way you’re not always the one behind the wheel.

Service Your Vehicle Consistently

Getting routine maintenance performed on your vehicle is extremely critical. You will always want this sort of work done by a certified professional, not just someone who claims to tinker around with cars. Failing to give your car, truck, van, or SUV the proper servicing it needs can have you getting up to 5% fewer miles per gallon — and this will add up quickly. Not only this, your vehicle could experience a significant amount of costly issues if you are neglecting getting your vehicle serviced every 30,000 miles.

Each one of your vehicle’s parts and components contributes to the overall performance of your vehicle. When you give your car a little TLC on the regular, this will end up saving you a tremendous amount of money and heartache down the road. It will also elevate your resale value.

One all-inclusive way to improve your fuel economy is by using an on demand certified mechanic. If you go to a repair shop, whether it’s your original dealership or even a reputable repair shop, you’ll have to spend money on gas, estimation, not to mention pay more than you would with a mobile mechanic. A certified mobile mechanic will be able to perform most routine maintenance services that will help you improve your fuel economy.