Learning how to get better miles per gallon (MPG) could save you hundreds of dollars every year. With inflation impacting everybody’s cost of living, there’s never been a better time to start thinking about how you can spend less on fuel by getting better gas mileage. From simple habits that you can implement right away to easy-to-use products that make your fuel system more efficient, we’re going to break down how to gain MPG and start saving money right away.
Keep it Smooth
One of the easiest ways to get better MPG is to work on your driving style. Making sure all of your driving movements are smooth is essential for maximizing fuel efficiency. That means you should avoid accelerating suddenly and braking abruptly where possible, as these actions make the engine work harder, increasing fuel consumption. When starting from a stop, you should gradually apply pressure to the accelerator, rather than quickly putting your foot down. Likewise, when it comes to braking, it’s better to anticipate the flow of traffic and stay a safe distance behind the car ahead, allowing you to slow down without excessive braking.
Maintain a Consistent Speed (Use cruise control!)
Similarly to the above, when driving on highways or long stretches of road, maintaining a consistent speed is key to improving gas mileage. When your speed changes, your engine has to adjust more frequently, which can lead to increased fuel consumption. One of the easiest ways to maintain a constant speed is to use cruise control. According to analysis done by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), speeding and rapid acceleration and braking can lower fuel economy by 15%–30% at highway speeds and 10%–40% in stop-and-go traffic. That means that by simply maintaining the same speed you can get better fuel mileage.
Reduce Idling Time
Idling is when you leave your engine running when your vehicle isn’t moving. That means fuel is being consumed for no reason, leading to reduced MPG. An easy way to get better miles per gallon is to turn your engine off whenever you anticipate being stationary for an extended period, such as at a red light or waiting to pick someone up. According to the Argonne National Laboratory, you’ll save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by turning your engine off for stops as brief as 10 seconds. Modern vehicles are designed to minimize fuel consumption during start-up, so this is a simple way to save on gas or diesel fuel.
Use Air Conditioning Wisely
There’s no better feeling than blasting the air conditioning on a hot day. However doing so can significantly impact fuel efficiency, especially at higher speeds. If you’re wondering how to increase MPG, it’s best to use the air conditioning sparingly or adjust the temperature to be slightly higher. This can reduce the workload on your engine and get better MPG. When travelling at lower speeds, it’s worth considering using the flow-through ventilation option instead of the AC to keep you cool while saving fuel.
Don’t Carry Unnecessary Weight
It might seem obvious, but the heavier your vehicle, the more fuel it will need to use in order to move. When it comes to improving fuel mileage, every extra pound of weight you carry requires your engine to work harder, consuming more fuel in the process. To improve fuel efficiency, remove items from your trunk and interior that you don't need for your trip. Even though each individual item may not weigh much, the cumulative effect can be noticeable, especially during city driving or stop-and-go traffic where frequent acceleration and braking occur.
Use an Effective Fuel Additive
One issue with diesel fuel in the US is that it has a low cetane number (CN). Cetane is a set of chemicals which naturally occur in diesel fuel, and the CN is a way to measure how well diesel fuel burns in an engine. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a minimum CN of 40. This is much lower than in the EU, where fuel must have a CN of at least 51. The problem is that most vehicles require a CN between 47 and 50 in order to run as intended by the manufacturer. Over time, inefficient combustion from low CN fuel can cause carbon build-up, clogging the fuel system’s key components including the injectors, turbo and DPF.
Fortunately, you can easily help protect your car and boost fuel mileage by improving the cetane rating of the fuel. Simply add Archoil AR6500 Diesel Treatment to the tank every time you fill up and increase your CN by up to 8 points. Not only will this boost MPG, but it will also reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of your fuel system.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
One of the simplest ways to get better mileage, that people often overlook is to keep your tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which means your engine has to work harder to move the vehicle forward, leading to increased fuel consumption. It’s good practice to check your tire pressure once a month and inflate them to the pressure levels specified in your vehicle's manual. Not only do properly inflated tires increase miles per gallon, but they also improve vehicle handling and increase their longevity.
Keep your Fuel Injectors Clean
The fuel injectors are responsible for spraying fuel into your vehicle’s engine. If they get clogged, the entire performance of your vehicle will be compromised, decreasing your fuel economy and potentially damaging your fuel system. Most vehicles will have a build-up of deposits on their injector tips due to inefficient combustion, but allowing them to build up can lead to problems. The good news is that addressing the problem can improve both horsepower and fuel economy. Fortunately, it doesn’t require an expensive trip to the mechanic – a simple fuel additive can be all you need.
The image above shows an injector before and after the use of Archoil’s AR6400 Diesel Treatment to clean the fuel system and improve performance. Simply add the treatment to your fuel tank when you next fill up and your vehicle will do the rest. If you don’t have a diesel vehicle but still want to lubricate and protect your entire system, then AR6200 Fuel Treatment is the product for you.
By following the simple tips above, you will be able to get better MPG. Not only will this improve the longevity of your vehicle, but it will also help you save money.
Looking for more great tips to get the most out of your vehicle? Why not check out some more of our guides
