Gas Mileage: How to Improve Fuel Efficiency and Save Money

When you think about gas mileage, how far your car travels on a gallon of fuel. Also known as fuel efficiency, it’s not just about the car you drive—it’s about how you drive, what’s under the hood, and even how your tires are inflated. Many people assume better gas mileage means buying a new hybrid, but the truth is, most cars can get significantly better fuel economy with simple fixes.

Your tire pressure, the amount of air inside your tires plays a bigger role than you think. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder. The Department of Energy says keeping tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by up to 3%. That’s like getting a free gallon every few weeks. And it’s not just tires—engine performance, how well your engine converts fuel into motion depends on clean air filters, fresh oil, and a healthy fuel system. A clogged air filter can drop your mileage by up to 10%, and dirty spark plugs make your engine misfire, wasting fuel.

Driving habits matter just as much as maintenance. Rapid acceleration and hard braking burn fuel fast. Smooth driving, coasting when you can, and avoiding idling for more than a minute all add up. Even carrying extra weight in your trunk or roof racks increases drag and lowers efficiency. If you’ve noticed your car suddenly using more gas, it’s rarely just "the car getting old." More often, it’s something simple you can fix yourself.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve dealt with worn suspensions, bad clutches, failing fuel pumps, and more—all of which quietly eat away at your gas mileage. You’ll see how a bad suspension affects how your tires roll, how a failing fuel pump causes the engine to run inefficiently, and why replacing old brake pads isn’t just about stopping safely—it’s about reducing drag. These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re fixes that actually change how much you pay at the pump.

  • 12 May
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