14 Mistakes That Are Affecting Your Fuel Efficiency on the Road
Improving fuel efficiency can help you save money, reduce your environmental impact, and contribute to national energy security.
While gas consumption may feel out of your control, there are actually several ways you can improve your vehicle’s efficiency and reduce the amount of fuel you use.
Things to Avoid to Increase Fuel Efficiency
The factors affecting your fuel economy may not be immediately noticeable, so knowing what to look for and avoid is essential. Small changes and positive habits add up and can help you significantly reduce your fuel consumption. Avoid these mistakes to increase fuel efficiency:
1. Excessive Speed
Different vehicles achieve their best fuel economy at certain speed ranges. However, gas mileage typically starts to decrease rapidly when any car surpasses 50 miles per hour (mph). Higher speeds might get you where you’re going faster, but they pose risks and make driving more expensive.
2. Aggressive Driving
Fast accelerating and hard braking can significantly reduce your fuel economy. According to the Department of Energy, aggressive driving can decrease gas mileage by 10% to 40% in intermittent traffic and 15% to 30% on the highway. Sensible driving improves fuel economy and helps prevent accidents, so you may save a life while saving money on gas.
3. Unnecessary Idling
Letting the engine run while your car or truck is stopped wastes more fuel than turning the engine off and restarting it. While idling is necessary at red lights and stop signs, you can avoid idling your vehicle when parked or while loading and unloading it.
4. Poor Aerodynamics
Poor aerodynamics increase drag. This greater air resistance forces your engine to work harder and consume more fuel to maintain speed. You can improve the aerodynamics of a car by keeping the windows up and removing roof racks and rooftop cargo carriers. If you drive a tractor-trailer, you can reduce drag with features such as wheel covers, trailer skirts, chassis fairings and roof fairings.
5. Inefficient Routes
Efficient routes help you reach your destination in fewer miles, reducing the fuel your vehicle consumes. Use route planning software to choose routes based on factors such as traffic conditions, distance, road closures and nearby stops.
6. Excessive Weight
Weight affects fuel mileage because heavier vehicles require more energy to maintain speed and accelerate. Managing load weight is especially essential for semitrailers. You can calculate your trailer’s load capacity by subtracting the unloaded trailer’s weight from its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
7. Poorly Inflated Tires
Underinflated or overinflated tires can affect rolling resistance, forcing your vehicle’s engine to work harder and consume more fuel. It’s important to inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
8. Using the Wrong Gears
Avoid driving in lower gears unless necessary. Using lower gears when you don’t need to consumes more fuel and can cause damage. Drive in the correct gears to increase fuel efficiency, and try to change gears at lower revs.
9. Using the Wrong Oil
Using dirty oil or the wrong formula creates excess friction, forcing your engine to use more energy to pump it through its moving parts. Essentially, it slows down the moving parts and makes your vehicle use more fuel. Regular oil changes are vital for a well-lubricated engine, and you should always use the oil your manufacturer recommends.
10. Clogged Fuel Injectors
Clogged fuel injectors can prevent your engine from receiving a consistent air and fuel mixture, resulting in incomplete combustion. If this occurs, the engine will have to work harder to burn fuel. Your fuel injectors may be due for cleaning or replacement if you notice decreased fuel economy and other signs of poor performance, such as low power, rough idling or slow acceleration.
11. Faulty Spark Plugs
Faulty spark plugs are another complication that can lead to incomplete combustion. Damaged or worn spark plugs can cause your engine to expel unburned fuel or prevent your cylinders from firing consistently. You may need to replace your spark plugs if you notice signs such as engine misfires, slow acceleration, challenges starting your engine, knocking sounds or rough idling.
12. Clogged Air Filters
A clogged or dirty air filter restricts your engine’s incoming airflow. This issue forces the engine to work harder as it pulls air for combustion, causing it to consume more fuel to maintain its power output. Check your air filters if you notice sputtering or popping sounds, black exhaust smoke, sluggish acceleration, engine misfires or a gas smell.
13. Emissions Issues
Aside from spark plugs and clogged air filters, your vehicle’s exhaust system can also cause emissions issues. Your fuel economy may lower if you have any complications such as a faulty catalytic converter, loose gas cap, malfunctioning oxygen sensor, faulty mass airflow sensor or exhaust leaks.
14. Damaged or Deteriorated Leaf Springs
Worn leaf springs often lead to uneven tire wear, poor alignment, swaying and bouncing. Replacing worn leaf springs is essential because it prevents your engine from working harder to maintain speed. You can test your leaf springs by pushing down on your car hood or the corners of your tractor-trailer and releasing them. If the car hood or a corner of your truck bounces two or more times, you most likely need a spring replacement.
Proactive Ways to Reduce Fuel Consumption
The following tips and strategies can help you maintain fuel-saving habits:
1. Regular Maintenance
Schedule regular maintenance to ensure all components are in good condition and can help support fuel efficiency. Pay close attention to components such as fuel injectors, spark plugs, air filters, tires and leaf springs.
2. Cruise Control
Cruise control enables you to maintain a consistent speed and prevent excessive acceleration. This feature is especially helpful if you have a habit of speeding or aggressive driving because it can help you maintain a steadier, safer pace.
3. Pay Close Attention to Traffic Flow
Paying attention to traffic flow can help you minimize braking and maintain a steady speed. Gentle acceleration when you need to increase speed is also important because it reduces the amount of gas your vehicle consumes.
4. Plan Routes Before Hitting the Road
Plan each route ahead of time to ensure you use the most efficient option possible. Checking traffic conditions before you leave is also helpful and can help you avoid any unforeseen accidents or delays.
Importance of Fuel Efficiency
Maintaining fuel efficiency offers the following advantages:
1. Cost Savings
The most noticeable advantage of improving your fuel efficiency is the money you can save. As gas prices increase, reducing fuel consumption is one of the most effective ways to save money. Lowering your operational costs is especially important if you run a trucking business because reducing fuel costs can improve your profits.
2. Lower Environmental Impact
Increasing your fuel efficiency also helps the environment. The less fuel you consume, the less greenhouse gases you emit into the atmosphere. You can help protect people, wildlife, coastal areas, forests, agriculture and water resources by burning less fuel as you travel.
3. Energy Security
Reducing fuel consumption helps decrease the country’s dependence on foreign oil. The United States pulls petroleum from politically unstable countries, and reducing overall gas consumption is important for strengthening the United States’ economic vitality and long-term security.
Improve Fuel Efficiency With Helpful Habits and Maintenance Checks
Fuel efficiency is vital for your budget and environmental impact. You can save more money and significantly reduce your carbon footprint with simple changes such as safe driving practices and regular maintenance checks. Paying special attention to frequently overlooked components can make a significant difference in your fuel economy.
