Tips for Improving Gas Mileage

For most of us, summer means driving — from long, cross-country vacations to shorter road trips — and unless you’ve joined the surge toward all-electric cars, summer driving means using more fuel. Thanks to innovations in engine management and design, the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles we sell here at Hebert’s Town and Country are better than ever at getting more miles out of a gallon of fuel. Even so, every gallon of gas you burn is more money out of your pocket, and we all like to save more of that. Seen below, check out our tips for improving gas mileage, no matter what you drive. And if your old ride just wasn’t built to maximize your fuel consumption, stop in today and check out the latest generation of powerful, fuel-efficient vehicles. 

• DON’T PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL: We all have an inner speed demon, especially when driving on the highway or trying to beat a red traffic light, but it’s not the best way to maximize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Just remember, the faster your car accelerates, the greater the drag your vehicle will have to work against. More drag equals more gas burned. So remember to pull away from stops smoothly and evenly, without over-revving your engine. You’ll save more fuel and your wallet will thank you.
• ALWAYS USE YOUR VEHICLE’S RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE: As a rule of thumb, follow your vehicle owner’s manual for what type of fuel to use. The manufacturers test their vehicles for best performance using the most ideal type of fuel. While some drivers believe using higher-octane, more expensive grades of fuel will help them get better performance, for all practical reasons, use low-octane.
• KEEP YOUR TIRES AT THE CORRECT PRESSURE: One of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain fuel efficiency is by keeping the correct air pressure in your tires. It is recommended to keep between 32 to 35 psi in your tires at all times, so check your owner’s manual for the recommended pressure for your vehicle. Low air pressure increases the rolling resistance of your tires, which in turn makes the engine exert more energy. 
• CHECK YOUR GAS CAP: The only time most of us think of our gas cap is when we are filling up our vehicle’s tank. An old gas cap can lead to a vehicle not getting good fuel economy. The typical gas cap contains a rubber seal which creates airtight protection against air getting into our gas tanks. A worn-out seal allows more air to pass into the tank. With increased air in the fuel tank, your vehicle will use more gas than usual.
• IDLE NOT: Waiting in the drive-thru to pick up your dinner is not only tedious, but it also burns a lot of fuel, wasting up to a gallon of gas for every hour your engine runs at idle. If you simply turn off your engine while you wait, then restart your engine when you are ready to roll, you will save a few more bucks and you’ll help the environment thanks to fewer emissions being released.

We hope these tips are helpful for you to get better fuel efficiency from your vehicle. And if you’re ready to buy a new vehicle, stop by Hebert’s Town and Country CDJR in Shreveport. Let us help you find a vehicle that offers a better fuel economy without sacrificing power. We hope to see you soon and safe travels!

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