10 Proven Ways to Improve Your Car's Fuel Economy

Small changes to how you drive and maintain your car can add up to real savings at the pump. Here are ten proven ways to improve your fuel economy, most of which cost nothing to start.

1. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and can lower fuel economy by up to 3%. Check your pressure monthly and match the figure on the door-jamb sticker.

2. Slow Down on the Highway

Fuel economy drops sharply above about 50 mph. Every 5 mph over that range is like paying significantly more per gallon. Easing off the accelerator is the single fastest way to save.

3. Use Cruise Control

On flat highways, cruise control maintains a steady speed and prevents the small accelerations that waste fuel.

4. Avoid Aggressive Driving

Rapid acceleration and hard braking can cut highway fuel economy by 15–30%. Smooth, gradual inputs keep your engine in its efficient range.

5. Lighten the Load

Every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces MPG by about 1%. Remove unnecessary cargo, tools, and sports gear from the trunk.

6. Remove Roof Racks and Cargo Boxes

Roof-mounted carriers create aerodynamic drag. Take them off when you are not using them — the difference at highway speed is substantial.

7. Keep Up With Maintenance

A clogged air filter, worn spark plugs, or a faulty oxygen sensor can all hurt efficiency. Follow your maintenance schedule to keep the engine running cleanly.

8. Use the Recommended Motor Oil

Using the manufacturer-recommended grade of motor oil — often a low-friction synthetic — can improve fuel economy by 1–2%.

9. Minimize Idling

Idling burns fuel and gets you zero miles. If you will be stopped for more than a minute, turning the engine off saves more than restarting costs.

10. Plan and Combine Trips

A warm engine is far more efficient than a cold one. Combining several errands into one trip means more of your driving happens after the engine has reached operating temperature.

See Your Savings

Even a one or two MPG improvement adds up over a year. Plug your numbers into our fuel savings calculator to see exactly how much these habits could put back in your pocket.