Gas prices are out of your control. How much fuel your car burns mostly isn’t. Small changes to how you drive and look after your car add up over a year, and none of them need new gadgets or “fuel-saving” additives. Here are ten habits that make a real difference.
1. Keep your tires properly inflated
Under-inflated tires add rolling resistance, so the engine works harder at every speed. Check the pressure once a month, when the tires are cold, against the sticker inside the driver’s door (not the number on the tire’s sidewall, which is the maximum).
2. Slow down on the highway
Aerodynamic drag rises steeply with speed. Above about 50–60 mph, every extra 5 mph costs noticeably more fuel. Cruising at 65 instead of 75 usually adds only a few minutes to a typical trip.
3. Accelerate and brake gently
Hard launches and late braking waste the fuel you just burned to get up to speed. Look further ahead, ease off early when you see a red light, and let the car coast. It’s also easier on your brakes and passengers.
4. Use cruise control on open roads
On flat highways, cruise control holds a steady speed better than most feet do. In hilly terrain it can be less efficient, because it pushes hard to hold speed uphill, so use it where the road is level.
5. Combine errands into one trip
A cold engine is at its least efficient for the first few miles. One loop that covers the grocery store, the pharmacy and the post office uses less fuel than three separate trips from home.
6. Don’t idle longer than you need to
An idling engine gets zero miles per gallon. If you’re parked and waiting for more than a minute or so, turning the engine off usually saves fuel. Modern cars don’t need long warm-ups, even in winter; gentle driving warms them faster.
7. Lose the extra weight and drag
Roof boxes, bike racks and a trunk full of things you don’t need all cost fuel. Take racks off when you’re not using them, and clear out heavy items that don’t need to ride along.
8. Keep up with basic maintenance
Use the motor oil grade your owner’s manual recommends, replace a clogged engine air filter, and fix a check-engine light promptly. A failing oxygen sensor or a dragging brake can quietly cost you a lot of fuel.
9. Use the fuel grade your car calls for
If your manual says regular, premium won’t make the car faster or more efficient; it just costs more. If it says premium is required, stick with it.
10. Shop around for price, within reason
Prices can vary a lot between stations a few miles apart, and warehouse clubs and loyalty programs often knock a few cents off each gallon. Just don’t drive far out of your way to save a little: the detour can burn more than you save.
Measure it, or it didn’t happen
The only way to know whether these habits are working is to track your real fuel economy. The fill-to-fill method takes about thirty seconds per fill-up: fill the tank until the pump clicks off, drive, fill again, and divide the miles by the gallons. Compare your average over a few tanks before and after a change, and you’ll see which habits matter most for your car and your commute.
Track your savings with GasMetrics
We built GasMetrics for iPhone and iPad to make that tracking effortless:
- Log at the pump in seconds. Enter any two of distance, fuel and cost, and GasMetrics works out the third.
- See your real MPG and cost per mile. Every fill-up updates your actual fuel economy and what each mile costs you, so you can see the effect of slowing down or combining trips.
- Spot problems early. Trend charts make a sudden drop in efficiency obvious, which can point to low tires or a maintenance issue.
- Compare with the EPA rating. Pick your vehicle and see whether you’re beating or trailing its official fuel economy.
- Private by design. There’s no account, and your fill-ups stay on your device.
GasMetrics is free to download and tracks one vehicle, with small banner ads. Premium ($4.99 a month or $39.99 a year) removes the ads and adds unlimited vehicles, full history and side-by-side comparisons.
Download GasMetrics on the App Store
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective way to save gas?
For most drivers, slowing down on the highway and accelerating gently make the biggest difference, followed by keeping tires properly inflated.
Does premium gas improve fuel economy?
Not if your car is designed for regular. Use the grade your owner’s manual recommends; premium only helps cars that require it.
Is it better to idle or turn the engine off?
If you’ll be stopped for more than about a minute, turning the engine off usually saves fuel. An idling engine burns gas without moving you anywhere.
Try GasMetrics. Built by Atkinson Interactive. Learn more about GasMetrics →
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