Most people want to use less gas to save money, reduce pollution, and improve energy security. There are plenty of ways to improve your gas mileage or avoid using gas altogether.
Driving Tips
- Minimize idling your car by turning off your engine when your vehicle is parked for more than 10 seconds.
- Drive sensibly and avoid aggressive driving, such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking.
- Avoid high speeds. Above 50 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly.
- Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks, which can decrease your fuel economy.
- Avoid keeping heavy items in your car.
- Combine errands.
- Check into telecommuting, carpooling, public transit and active transportation like bicycling or walking to save on fuel and car maintenance costs.
Car Maintenance Tips
- Use the grade of motor oil your car's manufacturer recommends.
- Inflate your tires to the pressure listed in your owner's manual or on a sticker that is either in the glove box or driver's side door.
- Get regular maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, sagging belts, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.
- Don't ignore the check-engine light—it can alert you to problems that affect fuel economy as well as more serious problems, even when your vehicle seems to be running fine.
Learn more fuel saving tips and other ways to save money on FuelEconomy.gov.