10 Hacks to Keep Your Car Mileage Low

Keep Your Car Mileage Low

Fuel economy and gas mileage are at the forefront of drivers’ minds as prices and inflation continue to rise rapidly. Drivers are looking to get the most out of their miles and save money while on the road, but it’s seemingly becoming harder every day. With historical gas prices being hit every couple of months seemingly, what are drivers supposed to do to help reduce their gas mileage?

Well, there’s good news, and thankfully improving your fuel economy and keeping your car mileage low can actually be easier than you think. We’ve outlined the top 10 tips to keep in mind as a driver so you can get the most out of every fill-up at the pump. You could also consider shipping your car if needed, as that’s a great way to get your vehicle where it needs to go without using any gas or miles of your own.

1. Gradually Accelerate

This tip can be easy to overlook but is still important to keep in mind. Try to avoid revving your accelerator at high RPMs. Your engine uses less fuel when it’s revolving slower, and it can even be better for your engine’s health over its life.

2. Utilize Coasting

Not having your foot constantly on the accelerator is a great way to reduce gas consumption. Instead, try to anticipate red lights as you approach them and remove your foot from the gas about half a block before the stop.

3. Take Advantage Of Drafting

Aerodynamics is an important but underrated point of consideration when it comes to driving on the road and saving gas. When driving on the highway at constant speeds, try to stay behind drivers — without tailgating — to help decrease the drag on your own vehicle and improve your fuel economy.

4. Don’t Speed

Try to avoid driving faster than the posted speed limit of the area you’re going through. While unavoidable on most highways, try to drive no more than 55 MPH as often as possible. According to a fuel economy report from the DOE, every 5 MPH over 50 MPH driven is like paying an extra $0.20 per gallon.

5. Drive With Your Windows Up

While you may think it’s more fuel efficient to skip the AC and just drive with your windows down, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Driving with the windows down at high speeds creates more wind resistance, which can worsen your fuel economy. Therefore, to cool down on the road, just turn on your AC and keep your windows up instead.

6. Stay Aware Of Any Cargo

While you may be used to using your trunk, backseats, and maybe even your passenger area for storage, this is ruining your mileage over time. Every extra pound in your car beyond the car itself directly affects the fuel economy, so consider keeping these areas clean and empty to help you get more out of your mileage.

7. Keep Your Tires Inflated

Underinflated tires have greater rolling resistance while on the road, so you’ll generate more friction while driving, resulting in worsened fuel economy. In fact, having your tires inflated by just 10 PSI can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 10%. So whenever you’re near an air pump, consider inflating your tires to their recommended rating before heading out.

8. Avoid Sudden Stops

Hard braking or slamming on the brakes too aggressively can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%. On top of this, it’s very dangerous to do for yourself and other drivers on the road, so try to avoid doing so whenever possible.

9. Plan Your Routes

Start-and-stop traffic and other delays are a great way to not only waste your time but waste your gas as well. Therefore, you should plan out your routes ahead of time to take the most efficient way possible. In addition, you’re going to want to look out for bad weather, construction, and general traffic delays.

10. Don’t Idle

This should be obvious if you’re trying to save gas and improve your car’s mileage, but don’t waste gas if you don’t have to. Idling can waste as much as half a gallon an hour, and statistics from the DOE state that idling vehicles waste about 3 billion gallons of gas a year. Reducing idling and turning off your engine while standing can result in both fuel savings and reduced emissions.

From the moment you drive your brand-new car off the lot, its value begins to decline at an alarming rate. Depreciation can reach a staggering 40% within just five years. While this might seem like a distant concern, safeguarding your vehicle’s resale value is a wise move from day one. Discover how to minimize depreciation on your vehicle with simple yet effective strategies. Start by adhering to routine maintenance, which includes regular check-ups and fluid replacements. Furthermore, maintain a comprehensive service history to showcase your car’s upkeep. Protecting its appearance is equally crucial such as cleaning interior stains and exterior imperfections. By treating your car as an investment, you’re poised to reap the rewards when it’s time to sell.

Infographic created by Capital Auto Auction