Fuel is the most obvious cost of owning a vehicle. Fuel efficiency won’t matter if you use your car occasionally. However, if you are a person that loves traveling a lot, saving money on fuel will make a lot of sense. You don’t have to be afraid of buying a car because of fuel consumption. There are many ways to reduce consumption and save money.

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Buy a Fuel-efficient Car

Some cars are fuel-efficient while others are not. The next time you want to buy a car from a car dealer, choose one that is more fuel-efficient. Hybrid vehicles might cost more, but they are very fuel-efficient. Over time, the hybrid car will save you money on fuel and make up for the extra cost.

Drive Slowly

Driving slow is one of the most efficient and simplest ways to save money on fuel. Most vehicles are fuel-efficient when they travel at a slow speed. At high speeds, the car tends to use more gas. It is always important to drive at the near speed limit. Keep in mind that the ideal traveling speed of a vehicle depends on the make and model.

Use Cruise Control when on Highways

Utilizing cruise control means that your vehicle will be going at a constant velocity. In simple words, this means no acceleration. The lack of acceleration lessens the work of the engine and reduces fuel consumption. Make sure that you pick your cruise control when driving at the speed limit for maximum fuel efficiency.

Keep your Car Aerodynamic and Light

You can achieve this by keeping all the windows closed.  This will help your vehicle keep more drag and wind resistance.  The weight of your car also increases its resistance. Make sure that you don’t leave anything in your car unless you need them. Things like rooftop carriers tend to increase the weight of your car hence its resistances. This later reduces your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Avoid Frequent Speed Changes and Idling

Your car tends to burn more fuel when you accelerate fast. Ensure that you drive at the recommended speed and keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles. Expect stops and slow down gradually; stopping abruptly also wastes fuel. On the other hand, idling can also waste gas. Make sure to switch your car engine off if you have to remain stationary for more than thirty minutes.

Wisely Use Air Conditioning

Every car tends to use a little bit more fuel when the air conditioning is on. Therefore, try to keep the air conditioning off. Instead, roll down the windows when at low speed to save more fuel.

Use the Recommended Fuel

Using fuel that is not specified for your vehicle is a total waste of money. For instance, using a low octane fuel than the one recommended for your car will not help since your car will use more fuel as compensation.

Proper Car Maintenance

Clogged fuel filters, poor quality engine oil, and bad air filters can dramatically reduce a car’s fuel efficiency. Therefore, ensure that you get your car serviced on time. Besides ensuring your car’s best performance and safety, proper vehicle maintenance will increase its fuel efficiency.

Conclusion

There are many other ways to save on fuel. You can get an electric car, inflate the tires correctly, check the wheel alignment, and drive when you need to. Besides, maintain your vehicle well, drive at the recommended speed and use cruise control on the highway.

electric car

About the Author: John Loughran