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
Gwendolyn Yarbor says,
Thanks for sharing this helpful information with your customers.
George says,
Your facts are not 100%,
1 older cars did get better gas mileage, worthless additives have reduced mileage by 10%
2 10% ethanol reduces horse power and fuel mileage an average of 20% on older cars.
I know these top be true.. how you say. I have a 1979 GMC pickup, when I bought it in 1988 I got and average of 18-20 mpg. With today’s fuel I get between 9 and 11 mpg. It still passes emissions like a car. What’s changed. .?
I have 1997 Chevy lumina, when Colorado had summer and winter fuels I and difference of 5- 7 mpg, the old difference ethanol..
Ethanol is made from corn, we should be eating and selling our food NOT burning it to no greater good.
On top of that the auto makers have had the technology to give us 100 mpg but don’t because they are in bed with big oil.
Thesee are all hard facts, if the states and government were to get out of the way of progress we would have much cleaner air and a 80-100% increase in fuel economy.
My 2 cents
Rob Palmer says,
Another tip from a former gas station owner, which may not be popular at busy stations: Run the pump as slowly as possible, and the metering is more accurate and saves running “too high”. Adjust pump handle so that the gallons run up as slow as you can make it. Apparently the metering is not linear, but slops high when running pump fast. I know this is tough to do when it is a cold day.
Dora J. Mose says,
I’ve heard running the pump slowly is more accurate. I do this when I’ve not got a line of people in a hurry behind me. I also heard fueling up when it’s the coldest part of the day/night is more efficient too, is that correct?
Beverly Southerland says,
I believe this also. Especially the ethanol plus it’s not good for your engines parts.
Wayne Spaulding says,
One of the most important things you can do for your vehicle is to get an oil and filter change, it will save you a lot of money and headaches down the road, if you know what I mean, lol.
Claudette says,
Thankd, for the advise.
Gafar says,
Very beneficial knowledge of how to maintain safety and cost
Farzana Aziz says,
3. Drop the Excess weight . I didn’t know about that. Thank you for the tip
annette says,
thanx very helpful but I already do these things
Shirley sewell says,
This informations was useful. Thanks.
Roz says,
Thank you for the great tips… Thanks Geico
Denease says,
Very good and useful info. Thanks.
Elena says,
Good and useful info. Thanks
Maryanne Melchiorre says,
Very helpful information. Didn’t realize cold weather means more visits to the pump!
Chi Chu says,
Sorry to say,but that common sense,the cold weather require the cars engines to works harder and circulate more oils around and moving more parts harder at works,so require more burning gasoline for the engines.
Robin H. Ewing, NJ says,
Oh I forgot..I will soon be getting another car(hopefully May or so) I didn’t even know Geico assist in getting discounts!! Thank you all @ Geico. I’m not changing for another 8 yrs., or more since joining!
Robin H. Ewing, NJ says,
Thank you for the great tips..how to get more from car maintenance ….very valuable info especially not having a male to help me at home, Lord knows I sure wish I had one here, lol but thank you Geico!!
Chi Chu says,
Not require alot of knowledges about cars,so no males present needed for cars care this days.Today cars are almost maintenances free,just the few esinual maintained like oils changes as recommended,tires rotations,correct tires pressures and replaced it for wear and tears.50 thoundsand miles tune up for worn out cars parts that it to owning a car.