How to Reduce Fuel Consumption

One of the most expensive parts of driving a car simply burns away. It’s the gas you put in the tank. The average American driver uses 656 gallons of gas in a year, and that adds up to more than $1,500 per year. There must be a better use for that money right? That can happen if you try to reduce fuel consumption.

It isn’t always about driving less, either. Sometimes, all it takes is a conscious effort to stretch your car’s range between fill-ups. Here are four tips to reduce fuel consumption, no matter what kind of car you drive.

How You Can Reduce Fuel Consumption

Use the Correct Grade of Fuel

Do you think you’re getting better performance by using premium gas? Odds are, you’re not. On the flip side, if your car requires premium gas and you’re using regular unleaded, you aren’t getting the performance you should. In fact, your car needs to burn more gas to run properly, so you’re burning more fuel by trying to save money at the pump.

The point is, use the grade of fuel recommended for your car. Nothing more, certainly nothing less.

Check Your Tire Pressure

Running around town with low tire pressures burns excess fuel. Low tire pressures create more rolling resistance. Your car has to burn more fuel to maintain its momentum. For every 5PSI your tires are low, you’re burning 2% more fuel. That doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up in the course of a year.

Reduce Idling Time

In the winter, your engine needs only 30 seconds to circulate the fluids before you drive. Anything more than that is burning gas needlessly. While it’s nice to climb into a warm car interior, it can take 20 to 30 minutes of idling to accomplish that task. The alternative is to start driving when the car is still cold, and it takes just 3 to 5 minutes to heat up. It’s definitely more efficient.

Mechanical issues and poor maintenance can affect your fuel economy. Reduce fuel consumption by keeping your Toyota well maintained and in good repair.