How to maximize automobile fuel efficiency

With fuel prices rising quickly, it’s a good time to review ways to maximize fuel economy when you drive.  Saving fuel will help both the planet and your wallet. 

• Consolidate trips and plan your route to minimize the number of miles you drive.
• If you are not sure if the store will have the item you want, call ahead to check.
• Proper maintenance of your car will help it operate efficiently.  Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure, change your air filters, and get your car serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 
• Learn driving techniques that are eco-friendly.  Don’t accelerate and decelerate rapidly.   
• Don’t speed.  Fuel efficiency goes down when car speeds go up.  HOWEVER, DO NOT drive significantly below the speed limit or the general speed of the traffic around you.  It is dangerous for you and the other drivers on the road.  A slow vehicle on the highway can cause jams that are miles long and cause accidents. 
• Every time you put on the brakes, it takes energy to return to your previous speed.  In heavy traffic, try to adjust your following distance and techniques to reduce the amount of braking needed to stay in the flow of traffic.
• Unless it is extremely cold or your car is an older model, you don’t need to warm up your vehicle’s engine before you drive.  Scrape frost off car windows instead of waiting while your car heats up enough to defrost the windows. 
• Parking in the shade when it’s hot outside reduces fuel evaporation.
• When it’s time to buy a new vehicle, consider carefully your specific driving needs in addition to fuel economy to choose the best vehicle. 

 
https://www.ucs.org/resources/how-maximize-your-vehicles-fuel-economy