Driving habits that boost your car’s fuel efficiency

Cars have their own fuel efficiency rating, which means they are designed to consume an amount of fuel for every kilometer travelled. However, there are driving habits that you can do (or avoid) in order to boost your car’s fuel efficiency.

Remember this list by heart. We promise, you’ll be able to save up on your hard-earned cash that you can use on other things like romantic dinners, weekend getaways, or beautiful clothes.

Keep it easy on the road. Abrupt acceleration, speeding, and sudden braking will cost you more fuel. Defensive driving or driving with utter regard for yours and others’ safety will not only lessen your cost in fuel, but it will also save you up on further headaches like hospital bills and violation tickets. Remember, patience will always be a virtue.

Cars are designed to be aerodynamic in order to lessen drag when moving. However, loading a cargo box on the roof nullifies this purpose, which in turn will increase your car’s fuel consumption. If you can help it, avoid loading cargo on your car’s roof to keep it aerodynamic and maximize fuel efficiency. With that in mind, keep the roof clear of any cargo or box, unnecessary accessories, and more. The slicker your car is and the slipperier it is through the air, the better it will be for your fuel consumption.

No matter how strong your engine is, loading your car with excessive weight isn’t recommended at all as it consumes more fuel. The amount of fuel that your car needs in order to move depends on the weight of the car, the passengers, and the total cargo it carries. As much as possible, only keep the essential things in your car when traveling. 

Idling, or keeping your car’s engine running while parked, consumes fuel, albeit, in small amounts. However, if done habitually, you might be surprised on how much that small amount can add up to. If you’ll have to be in the car while waiting, turn off your engine and roll down your windows to save up on gas. There are some cars that also feature start-stop functions, however, the likes of which will allow you to pause your engine's idle and cut down on some fuel consumption. 

Tires have an optimal tire pressure in order for them to be used efficiently, so it’s important to keep them properly inflated at all times. Incorrectly inflated tires will increase rolling resistance, which will require the engine to rev harder and use more fuel. As a general rule, make it a habit to check your tire’s air pressure before heading out. Not only will it save you a buck at the pump, but it can also prevent accidents. Tires are among the most important pieces of equipment in your car, so make sure that you don't ignore them. 

Carefully planned short and long trips will save you driving time, which will also make you consume less fuel. Plan your routes ahead using a map, or you can also consult mobile apps like Google maps and Waze for the best driving routes. More importantly, avoid rush hours as idling in heavy traffic makes it a lot worse.

Economic driving is not an easy task. It takes discipline and dedication – 2 traits that you can develop over time, not just for saving fuel but for your own betterment as well.