Tips to Increase Gas Mileage


  1. Don’t speed. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
  2. Avoid quick starts and stops to improve gas mileage up to 5 percent.
  3. Turn off the engine to avoid unnecessary idling, which wastes fuel and pollutes the air.
  4. Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate to improve fuel economy when driving on a highway.
  5. Clean out your trunk; an extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce fuel economy by up to 2 percent.
  6. Avoid loading items on the roof rack as it creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by 5 percent.
  7. Tuning your engine according to your owner’s manual can increase gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
  8. Keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned can increase gas mileage up to 3 percent.
  9. Change your oil. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your gas mileage by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.
  10. Check your owner’s car manual for the most effective octane level for your car. For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit.