News

With gas prices constantly climbing, you might be considering trading in your gas-guzzler for one of those new shiny all-electric cars. But really, who has the money, or time, to own and maintain one of those? That’s why Vinette Auto Service has compiled some simple tips and tricks to help you save on fuel with minimal effort.

#1 Keep Up with Your Car Maintenance

Regularly have your vehicle tuned-up to ensure it is running as efficiently as possible. Having a clean air filter element allows your engine to breathe properly which in turn conserves fuel consumption. You can also improve your gas mileage by 1%-2% simply by using the manufacturers recommended grade of motor oil. Also, be sure to seek out motor oil that’s labelled “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol so you know it contains friction-reducing additives. Routinely add manufacturer approved fuel system cleaner/additives to your gas tank to additionally help promote fuel economy. Think of your vehicle like your body. If you feed it healthier food, it will run more efficiently.  

#2 Inflate Your Tires Properly

Under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage by as much as 0.2% for every 1 psi below the average pressure of all tires. You can usually find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle on a sticker in the driver side door jam or the owner’s manual. Be sure to check your tire pressure on a monthly basis using a gauge, and fill to the recommended psi using a pump which are often located at gas stations.

#3 Choose Fuel-Efficient Tires

You may also want to consider switching to fuel-efficient tires that have low rolling resistance. Some of the most trusted tire brands such as Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone all offer fuel-efficient tires that require less energy than standard tires to propel them forward. The easier it is for the vehicle to roll forward, the less heat is generated, and the less fuel is required to propel the vehicle. Fuel Efficient tires, also referred to as “green tires” or “eco-tires” last longer than traditional tires because you can travel more distance with less wear. We don’t recommend using rolling resistance as your main consideration while choosing a tire because some brands compromise wet grip for low rolling resistance, which may affect the safety of your tires. At Vinette Auto Service, we always find the best overall tires for your vehicle to ensure your ride is safe and efficient, and if it comes down to it, we will use low rolling resistance as the tie breaker.

#4 Change Your Driving Habits

One of the easiest ways to lower fuel consumption is to simply be conscious of your driving habits. For instance, the faster you accelerate, the more gas you burn. Don’t floor it when you see a green light, accelerate slow and smoothly. Also, try coasting as much as possible. There is no point of continuing to accelerate while approaching a red light, simply let off the gas and roll to a stop.  If your vehicle has a fuel consumption monitor, try keeping track of your usage. The more we are aware of how much fuel we are burning; the more we make a conscious effort to reduce it. Some other small tricks you can try to reduce fuel consumption include removing excess weight from your vehicle. The lighter you vehicle is, the less your engine needs to work to propel it forward. Try emptying your trunk and back seat of any unnecessary items. Also, filling your fuel tank only half way can reduce the weight of your vehicle. Many of the features that come standard in today’s cars consume fuel without you even knowing it. For instance, comforts such as air conditioning and heater consume fuel. And driving with your windows down makes the vehicle less aerodynamic which results in more fuel consumption.

#5 There’s an App For That

Using smartphone apps can be a very useful tool on your journey to lowering fuel consumption.  Using the pre-installed map app on your phone can help you find the shortest route to wherever you’re going, as well as avoid any heavy traffic. Some downloadable apps can even find gas stations with the lowest prices near you. Check out the apps we’ve included below and start saving today.

• GasBuddy, https://www.gasbuddy.com/App
• Waze, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waze