Fuel economy is not just about the car you drive. How you drive and maintain it can change your mileage by a surprising amount. None of this needs a special gadget.
Ease off the pedals
Hard acceleration and late braking waste the most fuel. Accelerating gently and looking ahead so you can coast to slow down makes the biggest single difference in town.
Keep your tires properly inflated
Under inflated tires drag and burn extra fuel. Check the pressure monthly and set it to the number on the door sticker, not the tire wall. This also makes the tires last longer.
Lose the extra weight and drag
An empty roof rack and a boot full of junk both cost fuel. Remove roof boxes when you are not using them, since they hurt economy at highway speed more than weight does.
Stay on top of servicing
Fresh oil, a clean air filter and good spark plugs all help the engine run efficiently. A neglected engine quietly costs you at the pump.
Frequently asked questions
Does premium fuel improve economy?
Only if your car specifically requires premium. In a car built for regular, premium gives no real benefit.
Does air conditioning use a lot of fuel?
A little, mostly at low speed. At highway speed, open windows can create more drag than the air conditioning uses.
Start with tire pressure, since it is free and easy. Our tire guides cover the basics.
