With gas prices fluctuating daily, drivers need to get the most out of every tank. And with simple fuel-saving tips, tricks and maintenance checks, you can learn to stretch your fill-up to the fullest.
1. Ditch The Clunker
Fuel efficiency has improved as new, more efficient vehicles have been designed over recent years. Choosing a newer, more fuel-efficient vehicle can save you thousands in the long run, both in dollars and minutes spent at the pump.
2. Save With Safety
Making small safety changes to your daily driving habits adds up in your tank, your wallet and your well-being. Fast acceleration and hard braking lower gas mileage by up to 33% on the highway and 5% in a city, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Keep a lid on aggressive driving and travel with zen-fueled efficiency.
3. Drop The Excess Weight
Rooftop cargo containers are a great help on family trips. But these space-savers create wind resistance, which makes your car work harder and burn up to 17% more fuel on the highway. Excess weight in the trunk also sucks up fuel unnecessarily at a rate of 1% for every 100 pounds. Leave empty or unused cargo containers at home and clear out clutter for a smoother ride and steeper savings.
4. Minimize Winter Driving
Did you know your car is less fuel-efficient in cold weather? Warming a car takes a lot of gas and can drain your tank before you even hit the road. Most manufacturers recommend warming your car for just 30 seconds and driving off slowly rather than long, idling warm-ups. Try parking your car in a garage to keep the engine warmer and combine trips and errands in the colder months.
5. Maintenance: Pay Now, Save Later
Staying up to date on regular vehicle maintenance keeps your car more fuel-efficient. Regular oil and filter changes keep cars running in the fuel-efficient zone. Tires that are properly inflated reduce drag and won’t have your engine working overtime, increasing your gas mileage and lowering carbon emissions.
Fill-ups got you fed up? With the Gas Finder feature on the GEICO Mobile app, you can locate gas stations near you and compare real-time prices to find the best deal. Download GEICO Mobile today and start saving!
By Katherine Palbom
Eldon Lee says,
Good advice
Lpt says,
Houston freeways, streets are full of Pot Holes. It’s ridiculous.
Charles Williams says,
This was very good information how to do-it-yourself thank you
Tom Nolastnameplease says,
In your #1 tip titled “Ditch The Clunker,” not all your Geico customers can AFFORD to ditch their clunkers. Actually, the gas mileage on many, many cars reviewed in Consumer Reports [which I’ve been reading for 20 or 30 years] notes that many vehicles STILL don’t get AT LEAST 30 miles per gallon which SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED for ALL vehicles BY 2000. So we’re 19 years behind schedule! AND we continue to ignore Global Warming
and drastic Environmental Pollution, thanks to our “caring” Congress and car makers.
Ggiard says,
Ridiculous. ICEs are really quite fuel efficient today, and I really don’t think hugely overpriced EVs are the answer, except for the wealthy tree huggers of this world
Letty says,
What are ICEs?
Letty's Educator says,
Internal Combustion Engines
Francy Gutierrez says,
Very useful tips to have in mind while going on a field trip. Keep up the great job your team is doing. Thanks a lot
Janice says,
This is very good advice.
cadan says,
If you drive slower it will save you money to.