How to Improve MPG - Driving Style

by Andy Published on Sunday, January 24th, 2016

Improving Miles Per Gallon (MPG) Via Driving Style

1. Don’t drive too fast or accelerate too hard. Wind resistance increases drastically with increasing speed. Studies show that every time you increase your speed by 10 miles per hour, you lose as much as 15 percent in fuel economy. So slow down and be a fuel-efficient, safe, and relaxed driver.

2. Try moving into high gears as much as possible without lugging the engine. When the revs are lower, fuel usage lowers. This means more economy for you.

3. Avoid accelerating when moving up a slope, such as a hill. If you increase your speed up a hill, the MPG will decrease dramatically. It’s best to maintain the same speed or allow the engine to slow naturally.

4. Anticipate stops and brake less. Every time you brake, you waste the car’s energy by cutting down the forward-moving force and transforming it into force acting through the brake pads. Accelerate slowly and stop naturally at the anticipated points by taking advantage of engine braking. Avoid braking at the last moment, which may force you to accelerate unnecessarily.

5. Don’t waste fuel by keeping your vehicle idling for long. Cars seldom require prolonged warming—in fact, it can do more harm than good. Prolonged warming can prevent a natural acid build-up from dispersing from the piston rings, resulting in increased engine wear. Driving gently is the best warm-up there is. When it’s 25°C degrees out, warming up for 30 seconds is fine. If it’s 10°C degrees out, a minute warm-up is OK.

6. Drive light. Removing excess weight from your vehicle improves your gas mileage. Any unnecessary items you can remove from your vehicle, especially heavy ones, will help you to save on gas mileage. For example, consider a roof rack. You waste about 5 percent in MPG efficiency when you have one of these on your vehicle.

7. Don’t misuse or overuse the A/C. When it’s pleasant outside, feel nature instead of shutting yourself in and burning extra fuel by keeping the air-conditioning equipment on. If A/C is necessary, ensure the recycle air button is on so that the A/C is not overworked by cooling incoming warm air.

While some of these seem like simple solutions, they are too often forgotten as we rush through life. By following these tips, you can save money and make fewer stops at the fuel pump.

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