A fuel efficient vehicle is most likely at the top of your priority list when considering a purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle. Many vehicle companies are manufacturing more and more fuel efficient vehicles every day in an effort to meet demands as consumers look to reduce vehicle expenses (especially in today’s penny pinching economy).  There are some choices that you make when purchasing that may help you reduce your fuel costs. One consideration is to choose a smaller engine like a 4 cylinder or a V6, over a V8. Opting for a hybrid such as the Civic Hybrid, or a diesel power plant are great options which you may want to consider. You may also want to consider a 2 wheel drive opposed to a 4 wheel drive if your new truck, or Sport Utility Vehicle will never really see dirt (fewer than 10 % do) so a 4 wheel drive may not be the right choice for you.  It is heavier, needs more power, and ultimately uses more fuel.  However, there are ways that you can save on fuel costs yourself no matter what vehicle you end up purchasing.

Manual vs. Automatic

Everyone believes that manual vehicles save you more on gas than driving an automatic, but a larger impact on your fuel economy really comes down to how you drive the vehicle. If you have a led foot, which most of us do deep down inside, then it doesn’t matter which of the two you have. When you are constantly accelerating, and slamming on your brakes, you are wasting fuel faster. Relax and get off the gas. If you often find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic, the constant stop and go will reduce fuel economy regardless of your vehicles transmission type.

Properly inflated tires

Making sure your tires are properly inflated is one of the most effective ways you can save in fuel costs and also reduce wear and tear. Make sure to review to your owner’s manual to find out the proper inflation rate for your specific vehicle and driving environment. You also may want to consider adding nitrogen to your tires. This can help improve fuel economy, reduces the oxidation and wear of rubber compounds, and reduces pressure loss helping keep your tires properly inflated. Also make sure to have your tires rotated at recommended intervals. If you are unsure, contact your service professional or stop in to your dealerships service department, they can inform you about proper inflation rates, and will even take the time to put air in your tires for you.

Services and Oil changes

Current estimates are that less than 4% of the vehicles on the road are properly maintained, and less than 10% of vehicle owners change their oil as recommended. We all fall victim of not keeping up with your oil changes as necessary, but this is a very important thing to remember to keep your engine running properly. Your owner’s manual recommendation for an oil change is between every 3,000 to 10,000 miles. If you feel your vehicle is not running as smoothly take it up to your dealership’s service department. Be sure to get all services required along with preventative maintenance such as an oil and filter change. Just remember, the more you take care of your engine, the less it has to work the longer it will run, and you will use less fuel.

Heavy Loads

The more weight you have in your vehicle, the harder it has to work. You can save 2 – 4% on your fuel bill by reducing your vehicles load or weight by a mere 200 lbs. If you plan on using your vehicle to haul heavier items keep in mind the extra weight can also have an adverse effect  your cars overall performance and  fuel economy since it will take more effort to get from point (A) to point (B). If you must have that extra weight, drive slower and do not over accelerate or brake. Try and place the load closer to the rear axle and try and displace the weight evenly from side to side if possible.

The numbers

You can lie about the numbers, but the numbers never lie.

Current estimates are that less than 4% of the vehicles on the road are properly maintained; only 10% of vehicle owners change their oil as recommended.

Only 3.35% of the vehicles on the road have tires which are properly inflated to manufactures specs.

You can save 2 – 4% on your fuel bill by reducing your vehicles load or weight by a mere 200 lbs.

For every 5 mph you drive over 60, you drop your fuel efficiency by an additional 7% or more, 65 mph =7% reduction, 70 mph=14% reduction, and at 75 mph you reduce your fuel efficiency by 21%.

If you drive approximately 12,000 miles per year, your average fuel savings choosing a hybrid can be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,300 – $1,500 per year or just over $125.00 per month, mommy or daddy don’t know money. Choosing a 4 cylinder vehicle as opposed to an 8 cylinder can save you between $700.00- $900.00 per year based on the manufacture and specific model you choose. And while you may only save $200.-$300.00 per month choosing a 2WDR vehicle over a 4WDR vehicle, consider your savings on both maintenance and insurance.

For your consideration

Reduce your time at idle if possible- you are getting 0 miles per gallon. Shut off your vehicle while at a dead stop in heavy traffic. Get off the gas and ease to a stop. Coast off the freeway, slow your acceleration, who wants to be the first to the next stop light anyway? Keep your windows up especially when traveling on highways or over 35 mph.

Let my grandma pass you, she rarely does over twenty, and who wants to rush back to work anyhow? Try and be a little lighter in the foot, “The Fast And The Furious” is a movie and their budget was bigger.

The sales, finance, and service departments at your dealership will be able to inform you of any ways on saving fuel costs, among any other questions that you may have. Knowledge is power, so contact them directly don’t be afraid to ask!