How to Increase MPG?

Improving your car's fuel efficiency can save you money and reduce your environmental impact.

Increasing your vehicle's miles per gallon (MPG) often comes down to smart driving habits and keeping your car free of unnecessary weight. By making a few simple adjustments to how you drive and what you carry, you can significantly boost your fuel efficiency.

Practical Tips for Better Fuel Economy

Based on expert advice, here are key strategies to help you increase your car's MPG:

• Drive Smoothly: One of the biggest gas wasters is aggressive driving. According to the reference, Speeding, braking, and rapid acceleration waste gas. By driving smoothly, you maintain a more consistent speed and avoid putting excessive strain on your engine, which burns more fuel.

  • Avoid sudden starts and stops.
  • Gradually accelerate.
  • Anticipate traffic to avoid hard braking.
  • Drive at moderate, steady speeds.

• Reduce Vehicle Weight: The heavier your vehicle is, the more work its engine has to do, and the more fuel it consumes. The reference notes that Every 100 pounds of weight in your car reduces your gas mileage by up to 1%.

  • Remove unnecessary items from your trunk or back seat.
  • Take off roof racks or cargo carriers when not in use, as they add weight and aerodynamic drag.

• Utilize Cruise Control: On highways, maintaining a consistent speed is key to efficiency. The reference recommends using Cruise Control. This system helps your vehicle stay at a steady speed, avoiding the slight accelerations and decelerations that can reduce fuel economy over distance.

  • Use cruise control on flat roads or slight inclines for optimal benefit.
  • Avoid using it in hilly terrain, as it may cause excessive acceleration on inclines.

Summary of MPG Improvement Tips

By implementing these simple changes, you can directly impact your car's fuel consumption and increase your miles per gallon.