Top Ten Ways to be Fuel Efficient This Summer

1. Tune Up: Properly tuning your engine can improve fuel economy by as much as 4%. Fixing a serious issue – such as a faulty oxygen sensor – can boost mileage up to 40%.
2. Pump Up: Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage by up to 3.3%.
3. Unpack: An extra 100 pounds of cargo reduces fuel efficiency up to 2%. A loaded roof rack cuts fuel efficiency by up to 5%.
4. Slow Down: Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 96 km/h (60 mph). You can assume that each 8 km/h (5 mph) you drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) is like paying an additional $0.25 per gallon for gas.
5. Avoid Idling: A car gets 0 mpg when the engine is idling. Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use.
6. Chill Out: Speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking can decrease fuel economy by lowering gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% in city driving.
7. Put It in Overdrive: Using an overdrive gear on the highway saves both fuel and engine wear.
8. Unclog: Replacing a clogged air filter on an older vehicle with a carbureted engine can improve both fuel economy and acceleration by a few percent under normal replacement conditions.
9. Use the Right Oil: Using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil improves fuel efficiency by 1%–2%.
10. Plan Your Trips: Plan routes and timing to avoid heavy periods of traffic congestion.