How you drive has as much impact on fuel economy as what you drive. Small habit changes can improve your MPG by 10–30%, saving significant money at the pump over the life of your vehicle.
Aggressive acceleration and hard braking are the single biggest fuel economy killers in typical driving. Smooth, gradual acceleration uses far less fuel — imagine there's an egg under the accelerator pedal. Anticipate traffic flow and coast to decelerate before stops rather than braking hard. On the highway, use engine braking (lifting off the throttle early) rather than braking to slow down for exits.
On the highway, fuel economy drops sharply above 60 mph — aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, meaning a vehicle going 75 mph uses roughly 35% more fuel than at 60 mph. Use cruise control on long highway stretches to maintain steady speeds; the consistent throttle management is more efficient than manual pedal adjustments.
Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which directly reduces fuel economy. The EPA estimates that proper inflation can improve your gas mileage by 0.5–3%. Check your tire pressure monthly and keep it at the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation (found on the door jamb sticker, not the tire sidewall). This is one of the easiest and cheapest fuel-saving actions you can take.
Every 100 lbs of unnecessary weight reduces fuel economy by about 1%. Clear out heavy items from your trunk that you don't need for everyday driving. Remove roof racks and cargo carriers when not in use — they create aerodynamic drag at highway speeds that measurably hurts fuel economy. Air conditioning on maximum also increases fuel consumption; use it selectively.
