9 ways to maximize your fuel economy

If you’ve had sticker shock at the fuel pump lately, rest assured that you’re not alone. Prices at the local pumps are among the highest in the nation, and at $4 per gallon, now’s an ideal time to make sure you’re maximizing your fuel economy.

Short of trading in your minivan for a Mini Cooper, here are some fuel-saving tips:

1. Stay on top of your routine maintenance. Nearly every scheduled service item saves fuel, particularly air filters, spark plugs, ignition wires, fuel filters and fuel injection system cleanings. The dirtier your filters and the more worn your spark plugs, the more your gas mileage suffers.

2. Diagnose and repair any issues causing your Service Engine Soon light to turn on. The light is triggered when tailpipe emissions exceed specified levels, and the fuel system is almost always involved. Emissions-related issues can be real gas wasters.

3. Ensure proper tire pressure and wheel alignment. The engine must work harder to move underinflated tires down the highway because there’s more rubber contacting the pavement and because the tires aren’t rolling as easily as they should be. Now, imagine the extra friction created when one or more of the wheels are incorrectly angled as you speed down the highway. They fight to go in a direction other than straight ahead, and even if the alignment is only off slightly, the effect adds up mile after mile.

4. Clean out the trunk or cargo area, especially if you are hauling kitty litter or other heavy winter gear. Avoid burdening your car with any unnecessary, heavy things. An extra 100 pounds can use 1 extra mile per gallon of gas.

5. Keep the lead foot in check. As tough as it may be for some of us, the single biggest fuel waster for most people is their right foot. Zooming away from stop lights and hot rod lane changes waste a lot of fuel.

6. Make sure your gas cap is screwed on tight. If it’s loose, gas vapor will constantly leak out, wasting fuel. In addition, air can get in and cause your oxygen sensor to read incorrectly, leading the engine control computer to increase fuel to the engine. A loose gap is likely to trigger the Service Engine Soon light, too. A worn gas cap can have the same effect. If you constantly smell gas when you walk by your tank, you might need a new gas cap.

7. Check your engine oil and transmission fluid levels. If you’re a quart low in your SUV, there isn’t enough motor oil to lubricate your engine properly. The extra friction causes drag that can reduce fuel economy. The same goes for dirty oil because it doesn’t reduce engine friction as much as clean oil. This increases fuel consumption—not by a lot, but every little bit helps at $4+ per gallon. The transmission also needs the proper amount of clean fluid to do its work. When it’s in need of service, the transmission drags your fuel economy down.

8. Invest in a fuel system cleaning as part of your routine maintenance, including the throttle body, fuel injectors and fuel filter. The cleaner your fuel system, the more efficiently the fuel will burn. That means more power and better fuel economy. The average car on the road is at least 9 years old. It’s had time for dirt and rust to start accumulating in the fuel tank and throttle body and to reach the fuel injectors. The injectors are the last stop in the fuel delivery system, and it’s critical for them to be clean. They deliver a precise amount of fuel, at exactly the right time, in a particular spray pattern. If they’re dirty or clogged with debris, they just can’t perform the way they’re supposed to. Dirty fuel injectors will steal some of your car’s power and will consume excess fuel.

9. Choose premium fuel only if your car requires it. One of the questions we often hear from our clients is, “Should I use premium gas?” The answer is: No, unless your owner’s manual specifies it. If your manual says “regular fuel” or “87 Octane,” always choose that at the pump. Who wants to tack on 15 cents to 30 cents extra without good reason? BUT if your owner’s manual says your engine requires (not “suggests” or “recommends”) 89 or 93 octane, make sure you use the higher premium fuels. Failing to do so can cause engine knocking and/or a Service Engine Soon light. Long term, it can cause engine damage.

If these tips don’t quite satisfy your quest for lower fuel costs, perhaps you’ll want to convert your vehicle to run on vegetable oil and diesel fuel. But that’s a story for another day.

Do you have any fuel-saving tips? Please share them here.