Easy ways to improve fuel efficiency and save hundreds on gas this year

Gas prices have been a sore point for American drivers in recent years. Whether you’re caught in Los Angeles traffic or driving cross-country through the Midwest, filling up gets expensive quickly. But here's the thing: a lot of that fuel is not being used to get you anywhere. It's being wasted. Good news? There are a few shockingly simple habits that can do wonders for your bank account and the environment.

You're probably driving too aggressively (and it's costing you)
The biggest change you can make is actually how you drive. Most of us have a bit of a lead foot, taking off from a red light, slamming on the brakes at the last second, or cruising at 80 mph on the highway. It appears normal, but it’s silently killing your gas mileage.

Aggressive driving, speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking can reduce your gas mileage by about 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic, says FuelEconomy.gov, the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA’s joint website. That's a huge range. Imagine what that adds up to in dollars over a year of commuting.


Here’s the fix: ease up on the gas pedal, give the car in front of you more room, and use cruise control on the highway whenever you can. It’s a more relaxing drive and your wallet will thank you.

Check your tire pressure
This one sounds like something your dad told you that you never really did. But it does matter more than most people think.

In a study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy says, a vehicle’s fuel economy was about 2 to 3 percent lower when all four tires were inflated to 75 percent of the recommended pressure. Vehicles with tires inflated to only 50 percent of the recommended pressure used 5 to 10 percent more fuel. Underinflated tires are also a real safety hazard, with longer stopping distances and the chance of a blowout.

Look for a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb or in your owner’s manual for the recommended pressure for your car. It takes five minutes to check and a dollar at most gas stations to fill up. There is really no reason to miss this.

Don’t let your car idle
Sitting in the drive-through with the engine running? Warming up your car in the driveway for ten minutes before you leave? Both are common habits and both waste fuel for zero miles gained. An hour of idling can burn a quarter to a half gallon of fuel, depending on engine size and whether you run the air conditioner. That adds up over time, and modern engines don't require the long warm-up period that older engines did.

Lighten your load
If you’ve got a permanent roof rack on your car or gear in your trunk that you haven’t touched in months, it’s worth cleaning it out. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your MPG by about 1%. The effect is more pronounced on smaller cars. Roof racks also create drag; a big cargo box on the roof can cut fuel economy by 10% to 25% at interstate speeds.

Keep up with basic maintenance
A well-maintained engine will perform better. Old spark plugs, low transmission fluid, and dragging brakes are all things that make your engine work harder than it has to. Stick to your manufacturer’s service schedule (oil changes, filter checks, tune-ups) to make sure it all runs the way it was meant to.

Plan smarter routes
Navigation apps are good for avoiding traffic, but they also help you avoid the stop-and-go conditions that hit your fuel economy the hardest. An engine that is heated up and running at a constant rate is much more efficient than one that is constantly switching between acceleration and deceleration.

Think twice before blasting the AC
The AC adds extra load on your engine, so it burns more fuel to keep you cool. On nice days, or even just during your morning commute, try rolling down the windows. With open windows the drag penalty is very small at city speeds. Just remember that at highway speeds AC is actually more efficient than open windows which cause significant aerodynamic resistance. Be intentional about it, don’t just run it on full blast out of habit.

Bottom line
Better fuel efficiency doesn’t require a new car or costly upgrades. What matters is small, consistent habits. Be a little easier on the gas, keep your tires inflated, eliminate unnecessary idling, and keep up with basic maintenance. These aren’t dramatic changes, but over months and miles, they really add up.