In the modern age of fluctuating gas prices, it can be difficult to budget. The gas mileage, also referred to as the MPG (miles per gallon) is an important factor for a vehicle. There are are some ways to stretch gas mileage, though, so whether driving a more traditional vehicle or considering diesel fuel economy, check out these tips for how to make every tank ount.
Keep It Light
When possible, try to keep the vehicle as empty as possible. Excess weight can also put excess strain on an engine. While many jobs equire delivery services and many lifestyles require full vehicles, this can often take its toll over time. Check the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) to confirm the approved capacity for any vehicle and ensure that all safety functions are being followed.
Avoid Sudden Starts and Stops
It can be extremely tempting, especially in sleeker or more modern vehicles, to lean into a speedy acceleration at a green light or to execute a sudden stop. This can be one of the quickest routes to unnecessarily burning fuel. It simply takes more out of the vehicle to change momentum in either direction. Getting comfortable with slower accelerations and easy, natural stops will benefit a fuel tank immensely.
Eye the Tires
It might sound counterproductive to check on a different part of the vehicle when focusing on fuel economy, but keeping the tires inflated to a proper threshold will help in the long run. When the tires are rolling on low pressure, it is more difficult to maintain momentum and the vehicle has to work harder. This concept is known as rolling resistance. Another way to avoid rolling resistance is to do a little bit of research on tread patterns, as many manufacturers now have tires available that have been intentionally designed to include lower rolling resistance. By implementing any or all of these tips, gas mileage will improve, and a vehicle will be ready to go the extra mile.
