Gas-Saving Tips

Save Gas without Driving Less

Driving Habits

How you accelerate can affect your gas mileage. Plan your trips so that you can avoid any road construction, or areas in which there’s a great deal of stop-and-go driving. Also, use cruise control on the highway to ensure a consistent speed.

Gas Flow (Combustion)

Making sure that your gas flow is not blocked is vital to getting the most gas for your money. Optimal use of your gasoline is helped through the removal of deposits on your fuel injectors. Deposits have been found to start forming in as few as 1,500 miles. Studies have shown that deposits can decrease your fuel efficiency by as much as 11 percent. A great way to keep deposits from accumulating in your fuel system is to use STP^® Gas Treatment, which contains jet fuel, every time you fill up.

Tire Pressure

According to industry sources, underinflated tires cut fuel economy by as much as two percent for each missing pound of pressure. If your tires are underinflated, your engine will have to work harder to push your vehicle. Keep in mind that warm tires can give an inaccurate reading, because heat buildup increases tire pressure. Be sure to check your tires' air pressure when they haven’t been driven for more than a mile. Make sure that your tires are inflated in accordance with your owner’s manual—overinflating will result in a harder ride.

Weight

Make sure that the weight in your car is properly distributed. Don’t carry a lot of weight on top of your car, and if you do, be sure to use a carrier so that the weight will be distributed more evenly. Also, carry only basic emergency equipment and items you really need in your trunk.

Aerodynamics

The amount of resistance put on your car can have an effect on the fuel economy. The faster you drive, the more the aerodynamic drag increases. Remove bike racks or carriers when they are not being used—they can add unnecessary resistance to your vehicle.