Top 9 Habits for Keeping Your Car Fuel Efficient

Keeping your car running efficiently is about more than just getting from point A to point B. It’s about maximizing every drop of fuel to save you money at the pump while also taking care of your vehicle in the long run. 

As a car enthusiast, I can tell you that good driving habits to save fuel are the secret to getting the most out of your car, both in terms of performance and efficiency. So, let’s break down the top habits for keeping your car fuel-efficient, and how you can tweak your routine to save both money and wear-and-tear on your ride.

1. Keep Your Speed in Check

One of the easiest ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency is to pay attention to how fast you’re going. Speeding is not only unsafe, but it also eats up gas faster than you can blink. Studies show that for every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph, it’s like paying an extra $0.20 per gallon of gas. Ouch.

Why does this happen?
When you drive at higher speeds, your engine has to work harder to maintain momentum. This increased engine load leads to more fuel consumption. So, how can you make your car more fuel efficient? Drive at a steady pace, and if possible, stick to 60 mph or less on highways. Using cruise control is a great way to maintain a constant speed and avoid unnecessary acceleration, which leads to fuel waste.

Key takeaway: If you want to maximize fuel efficiency, keep your speed in check. Avoid sudden accelerations and unnecessary high-speed runs.

2. Smooth Driving Is the Key

Rough driving habits like hard accelerations, abrupt braking, and unnecessary gear shifts waste fuel. If you really want to keep your car healthy and save fuel, smooth driving is essential. Think of it like this: when you’re driving aggressively, the car’s engine has to work overtime. Hard acceleration puts more strain on the engine, while harsh braking means you’re losing the momentum you just worked so hard to build.

How to improve your driving habits:

• Ease into accelerations: Gradual acceleration gives the engine time to adjust and prevents fuel-hungry power surges.
• Avoid harsh braking: When you slam the brakes, you’re also slamming the gas pedal in the opposite direction. Anticipate stops by easing off the accelerator early and coasting to a stop.
• Shift smoothly: If you’re driving a manual, avoid over-revving the engine or shifting too late. Keep RPMs in a moderate range for optimal fuel use.

How does this save fuel? Smooth driving prevents excess fuel consumption, improves fuel efficiency, and reduces engine wear over time.

3. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly

You’d be surprised by how much under-inflated tires impact fuel efficiency. When your tire pressure is low, your tires have more rolling resistance. This means your engine has to work harder to move the car, burning more fuel in the process.

How to keep your car fuel-efficient:

• Regularly check your tire pressure, ideally once a month and before long trips.
• Make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, which you can usually find on a sticker inside the driver’s side door or in the owner’s manual.

Why is this so important?
Properly inflated tires not only improve fuel efficiency, but they also enhance safety, handling, and tire lifespan. Good tire pressure can increase fuel economy by up to 3%, which adds up over time.

4. Reduce Extra Weight and Drag

Your car uses more fuel the heavier it is. If you’ve got a bunch of junk in the trunk or a roof rack that you don’t need, you’re essentially dragging around extra weight and increasing fuel consumption. That applies to everything from your luggage to the unnecessary stuff in your back seat.

How to improve your car’s fuel efficiency:

• Clean out your car and remove unnecessary items to lighten the load. If you don’t need it, don’t haul it around.
• Remove roof racks when you’re not using them. Even when empty, a roof rack creates drag, decreasing your car’s aerodynamics and efficiency.

Fuel-saving benefit: A typical fuel-saving add-on device is a roof-mounted cargo box. However, if you’re not using it, get rid of it to reduce weight and drag, improving your car’s fuel efficiency.

5. Routine Maintenance Is Key

Nothing impacts your car’s efficiency like proper maintenance. An engine that’s well-maintained runs smoother, burns fuel more efficiently, and has fewer breakdowns. Regular servicing, such as changing the oil, replacing air filters, and keeping your car in top shape, is essential for ensuring optimal fuel efficiency.

What to do:

• Change the oil regularly: Dirty oil reduces engine efficiency, making it harder for the engine to run smoothly.
• Replace the air filter: A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, causing it to burn more fuel to get the necessary air-fuel mix.
• Use the right grade of oil: Always use the manufacturer-recommended oil grade. Using a thicker oil than needed can increase engine friction, hurting your fuel economy.

How does this help? Regular maintenance ensures your car is running as efficiently as possible, improving fuel economy and overall performance. A well-maintained car is not only more fuel-efficient but will also last longer, saving you money in the long run.

6. Consider a Fuel Additive (If Necessary)

Some people swear by fuel additives to help clean their engine and improve fuel efficiency. These products are designed to remove carbon buildup and improve combustion efficiency, which can help your engine run smoother and consume less fuel.

Fuel-saving tips:

• Choose a fuel additive that’s designed for your specific car model. Always consult your car’s manual before using any additives.
• Consider using a fuel system cleaner if you’ve noticed your car’s performance is slipping, especially if you drive in stop-and-go traffic or often use low-quality fuel.

Are fuel additives really worth it?
In some cases, yes. Fuel additives can provide a noticeable improvement in fuel economy, especially for older cars or those that have accumulated carbon deposits over time. However, they’re not a substitute for proper maintenance, and you shouldn’t rely on them as a quick fix.

7. Don’t Overfill Your Gas Tank

You might think topping off your tank gets you more miles, but that extra fuel could actually be doing more harm than good. Overfilling your tank can cause bad fuel efficiency by putting stress on the fuel system. It can also lead to fuel evaporation, wasting the gas you just paid for.

How to avoid this:

• Stop filling the tank once the nozzle clicks off.
• Avoid squeezing in that extra splash of fuel; it’s not worth it.

Benefit:
By avoiding overfilling, you maintain the proper pressure in your gas tank and prevent unnecessary waste of fuel, improving your overall fuel efficiency.

8. Avoid Short Trips

Short trips are notorious for causing poor fuel efficiency. When you start your car and drive for only a few miles, your engine doesn’t get a chance to fully warm up. This means it’s running inefficiently, burning more fuel.

How to improve fuel efficiency:

• Whenever possible, combine trips or run errands in batches.
• If you can, walk or bike for shorter trips rather than driving.

Why this helps:
Allowing your car to fully warm up before driving, especially on longer trips, gives the engine time to reach optimal operating temperature, where it burns fuel more efficiently. Short trips, on the other hand, prevent this from happening and waste fuel.

9. Is It Good to Keep Your Car Full of Gas?

You may have heard that keeping your car’s gas tank full prevents moisture from forming inside the tank and keeps the fuel system cleaner. While this is true to some extent, it’s also important not to let your tank get too low too often. Driving on a nearly empty tank can lead to sediment buildup, causing damage to your fuel pump.

How to maintain a healthy fuel system:

• Keep your gas tank at least a quarter full. This helps maintain the fuel pump and reduces the chances of running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.

Benefit:
A consistently full or partially full tank minimizes the risk of sediment buildup and ensures the fuel system operates efficiently, maintaining your car’s fuel efficiency.

Conclusion

Maintaining good driving habits to save fuel isn’t just about filling your tank with gas; it’s about understanding how your car uses fuel and adjusting your behavior to maximize its efficiency. By following these tips for fuel efficiency, you can make small changes that add up to significant savings at the pump, while also ensuring that your car runs smoother and lasts longer. Whether you’re looking to cut down on fuel costs or simply improve your car’s health, these habits will help you make your car more fuel efficient—without needing any fancy gadgets or expensive modifications.

FAQs

1. How can I improve my car’s fuel efficiency with better driving habits?

To improve fuel efficiency, adopt smooth driving habits. Avoid rapid acceleration, maintain a steady speed, and brake gently. Use cruise control on highways to keep a constant pace. Keep your tires properly inflated, as under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance. Reduce extra weight in your car by removing unnecessary items from the trunk. Finally, stick to speed limits, as excessive speed increases fuel consumption significantly.

2. Is it good to keep your car full of gas for better fuel efficiency?

Keeping your gas tank partially full helps your car’s fuel system by reducing the risk of sediment buildup. It also prevents the fuel pump from overheating and maintains proper fuel pressure. While keeping the tank completely full won’t directly improve fuel efficiency, it ensures smoother engine operation and reduces the chances of running out of gas unexpectedly.

3. Does routine maintenance improve fuel efficiency?

Yes, regular maintenance ensures your engine runs smoothly, which improves fuel efficiency. Clean air filters, proper oil changes, and timely spark plug replacements optimize combustion, reducing fuel waste. Additionally, maintaining correct tire pressure and inspecting the fuel system for leaks can significantly enhance your car’s mileage over time.

4. How does tire pressure affect fuel efficiency?

Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Properly inflated tires reduce friction, improve handling, and can enhance fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Check your tire pressure monthly and adjust it according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

5. Which driving habits help save gas the most?

Driving habits like gradual acceleration, smooth braking, and maintaining a steady speed save gas. Avoid idling unnecessarily and minimize short trips, as a cold engine uses more fuel. Using cruise control on highways and removing excess weight from your vehicle can also significantly reduce fuel consumption.