We all want to improve our car's fuel economy in order to save money. Many people think you need to be a mechanic with a garage full of tools and years of experience under your belt to make this happen. Fortunately, that's not the case. Instead, just follow these easy tips we've put together:
In this article:
- Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
- Ease Off the Gas on the Highway
- Lose the Roof Rack
- Embrace Cruise Control
- Empty the Trunk
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Check your owner's manual or the sticker inside your driver's door jamb for your vehicle's recommended tire pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Don't rely on the number printed on the tire's sidewall — that figure reflects the tire's maximum pressure, not the correct pressure for your specific vehicle. For most cars, the right range falls between 30 and 35 PSI.
Avoid overinflating your tires. It won't reduce friction the way some people assume — it will actually shorten tire life and compromise handling.
Also, be sure to use winter tires only when conditions call for them. Winter tires are built for grip on snow and ice, which means they create more rolling resistance on dry roads than all-season tires do.
Slow Down
Most vehicles reach peak fuel efficiency somewhere around 90 km/h. Push past that and fuel consumption climbs — the engine has to work harder against wind resistance, and any time saved rarely offsets the extra cost at the pump.
Driving too fast carries other risks as well: speeding fines, demerit points on your licence, and higher insurance premiums can turn a short trip into an expensive one.
Lose the Roof Rack
A bike rack might look purposeful sitting on top of your vehicle, but you should have it attached only when you actually need it. Roof racks and cargo carriers increase aerodynamic drag, which hurts fuel economy — particularly at highway speeds.
Most racks come off in just a few minutes with basic tools, so leave them at home when you're not hauling gear. The savings at the pump add up faster than you might expect.
Embrace Cruise Control
Most drivers accelerate and brake more than they realize, and those small variations add up in fuel use over a long drive. Cruise control eliminates that variability by holding a steady speed, so your engine isn't working any harder than necessary. You'll also get the benefit of coasting when the road dips downhill. If your vehicle has it, make a habit of using it on longer highway stretches.
Empty the Trunk
It's easy to let your car double as a storage locker, but every extra kilogram your engine has to move costs you fuel. The effect compounds on longer trips or in stop-and-go city driving. Keep the spare tire and emergency kit, but do a quick sweep of everything else — if you're not heading to the golf course, the clubs don't need to make the trip.
The Bottom Line
Don't be tempted by quick-fix gadgets or fuel additives that claim to improve your fuel economy. Electronic devices that plug into your 12-volt socket and promise better fuel consumption don't deliver.
There are legitimate mechanical modifications worth exploring with a trained technician — cold-air intake systems, engine computer calibrations, and fuel-injector cleaning among them — but these five tips are the perfect starting point for anyone looking for simple, no-cost solutions.
