As Californians, we know that gas isn’t cheap. The Golden State is home to some of the country’s highest gas prices each year. At the time of this writing, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California is $5.29, according to a report by AAA. With such high prices, finding ways to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency can help you save at the pump. Let’s review five easy ways to squeeze more miles out of your tank.
Tips for Improving Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency
1. Visit the Auto Shop
Regular car maintenance is crucial for keeping your vehicle in its best condition. Over time, old air filters, low tire pressure, and bad wheel alignment can prohibit your car from operating at its peak performance. When your vehicle isn’t working at its best, its internal systems won’t work as designed, causing you to lose fuel efficiency.
Following your vehicle’s manufacturer’s service recommendations will help your car improve its performance and extend its overall life. Should you consider selling your car in the future, regular maintenance will ensure you get a better price than a similar model that was neglected.
2. Check Your Tire Pressure
If you haven’t checked your tire pressure recently, now is a good time to do so. Your car’s tires play a significant role in maintaining good fuel efficiency. When your tires are low, the amount of rubber that interacts with the road is higher than it should be, which causes increased friction and wear. According to the Department of Energy, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by up to 3 percent.
Most tires should be inflated to around 32 to 35 psi. However, you must double-check with your owner’s manual to find what tire pressure your car’s manufacturer recommends. Additionally, you can find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle on a sticker inside the driver’s side door. We suggest having a tire pressure gauge in your car so you can always ensure your tires are properly inflated.
3. Keep Your Car Light
Heavier cars require more work to accelerate, which negatively affects your car’s fuel efficiency. To reduce your car’s weight, consider emptying your trunk and removing unnecessary items to get better gas mileage. However, don’t remove any safety items you have, such as an emergency kit or essential car repair tools.
Do you have a roof cargo box or a mount for road trips? If so, they could add extra wind resistance and affect your vehicle’s performance. If you absolutely need the extra space, consider swapping roof mounts for rear-mounted cargo boxes. Since these go in the back of your vehicle, they won’t affect your car’s wind drag.
4. Watch Your Speed
Rapid acceleration, unnecessary speeding, and slamming on the brakes can quickly burn through your car’s fuel. These aggressive driving behaviors put a lot of strain on your car’s internal systems as they keep up with all the stop-and-go at high speeds. According to one study, such behaviors behind the wheel can lower gas mileage by about 10 to 40 percent, equaling about $0.25 to $1 per gallon.
If your car has a cruise control feature, consider using it whenever possible, especially on the highway. You can also attempt to maintain a constant speed within the speed limit for a similar effect if your car does not have cruise control.
5. Keep Your Car Moving
One of the simplest ways to get the most miles out of your gas tank is to keep moving. Stop-and-go traffic and unnecessary idling burn more gas than when you are driving. A common myth is that you burn more fuel restarting a car than you do while idling. However, that isn’t true. When your vehicle is off, you aren’t using any gas. When your car is idling, you are getting 0 miles per gallon.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are idling for an extended period, consider cutting off the engine to improve your fuel efficiency.
Keeping Your Vehicle Protected in the Golden State
Proper car maintenance will help prolong the life of your vehicle and will help you have good fuel efficiency. However, proper auto insurance is the easiest way to protect your car. At Orion Indemnity, we focus on providing California drivers with coverage options that work for them. With roadside assistance coverage, you’ll have mechanical support if you have vehicle issues while on the road. To learn more about how Orion Indemnity can help you get reliable auto insurance in California, give us a call today at (833) 336-7466.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
