How to Get Better Gas Mileage
How to Get Better Gas Mileage in Sarasota, FL
You’re cruising down the highway with the wind blowing through your hair, and you’re filled with exhilaration as you control the raw power of a sleek Genesis. But suddenly, a dreaded flashing light appears out of nowhere — you need to stop for gas. Frequent stops at the gas station are never enjoyable and can also add up to be quite costly. That’s why the team at Gettel Genesis of Sarasota is here to help you make the most of every gallon. While you can always switch to an electrified vehicle if you want to skip the pump altogether, there are still ways to improve your gas mileage if you’re not ready to make the switch.
Six Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage
1. Avoid Rush Hour
It may be challenging, but avoiding rush hour is beneficial if you want to save money on gas. While it’s not always possible to change our work schedules, we can make the most of our free time after work and on weekends. For instance, if you have a road trip coming up, you can do some research to find the best times to travel. Similarly, if you need to run errands, consider stopping by the grocery store after work and avoiding rush hour traffic on the way home. Researching the best time to travel, running errands while heading home from work or combining your errands during weekends can significantly decrease your fuel consumption.
2. Remove Excess Weight
Did you know that carrying excess weight in your vehicle can decrease its efficiency? This is because the added weight increases drag, which causes the car to use more gas as you travel from point A to point B. For every 100 pounds of extra weight in your vehicle, your fuel efficiency can decrease by up to one percent. This could add up to an additional four cents per gallon when filling up at the gas station.1 For optimal fuel efficiency, remove all unnecessary items from your vehicle.
3. Follow the Speed Limit and Use Cruise Control
When behind the wheel, it can be tempting to speed — but try not to. Speeding, rapidly accelerating and slowing abruptly can negatively impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. In fact, driving above 50 mph can significantly decrease gas mileage.1 We highly recommend utilizing cruise control whenever possible to help maintain a consistent and safe speed.
4. Don’t Let Your Car Idle For Long
We recommend always turning off your car when not in use. This will help to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption. In situations where turning off your car is impossible, such as being stuck in traffic or a school carpool lane, you can still make a positive impact by turning off your climate controls. This simple action can help reduce fuel consumption and minimize emissions, even when the engine is running.
5. Use the Correct Grade of Motor Oil
Unless you drive an all-electric vehicle, you’ll have to replace your motor oil. We always recommend using the correct grade of motor oil suggested by your manufacturer. Using the correct grade of motor oil could increase your fuel efficiency by up to one or two percent.2
6. Schedule Routine Maintenance
Maintaining your vehicle is crucial for its performance and longevity. Taking proactive measures, such as regularly checking and inflating your tires and scheduling timely oil changes and other recommended maintenance tasks can greatly impact your car’s fuel efficiency.
Make sure your car runs smoothly and efficiently by scheduling an appointment with our team of highly-trained technicians today.
If you need further advice about your vehicle or you’re interested in upgrading to a new fuel-efficient car or electrified vehicle, feel free to contact us or stop by our dealership at 3480 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239 . We look forward to serving our customers near Venice.
1For more information, visit Driving More Efficiently .
2For more information, visit Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape .