With gas prices creeping upwards every day, it's natural to want to get the biggest bang for your buck in your diesel-powered vehicle. Here are a few tips to help you achieve maximum fuel efficiency while driving.
1. Use Cruise Control.
Letting your vehicle maintain one speed instead of allowing it to fluctuate between higher and lower speeds actually makes your vehicle more efficient. If you are constantly recalibrating your speeds and driving inconsistently, you are wasting gas.
The only exceptions to this rule would be if you were driving on rolling hills or in stop-and-go traffic. In those situations, it's best to go nice and steady up the hill and then cruise down the hill. In traffic, you may just have to go with the flow.
As an added bonus, did you know that using cruise control is actually better for your car? It's true. You are eliminating unnecessary wear and tear when you avoid the fluctuation of manually controlling the speed. If heavy precipitation is falling, however, it could be dangerous to be using cruise control. It increases your chance of hydroplaning. So, beware of engaging it in poor driving conditions.
2. Avoid Idling.
If you are sitting in your parked vehicle and plan to be there longer than 15 seconds, turning your engine off is going to save you fuel. Idling your engine can be an expensive habit, and not just because you are wasting fuel.
When you keep your engine running while not in use, it shortens the lifespan of your engine and increases annual maintenance costs by thousands of dollars. The larger the vehicle, the more gas it wastes, too. If you want to keep a tight budget, turn the engine off.
3. Lower Your Highway Speed.
The most fuel-efficient speed is around 55 to 65 miles per hour. If you drive faster than that, the fuel efficiency decreases. It can also be costly if the speed limit where you are driving is lower. A speeding ticket can add a significant bump in your monthly budget for driving.
4. Don't Rev Your Engine.
You might not sound as cool to all the vehicles around you, but you'll be using your vehicle more efficiently, saving money, and possibly annoying fewer people. Revving your engine wastes fuel unnecessarily.
5. Extend Your Following Distance.
If you have a greater distance between the car in front of you and your vehicle, you have more time to react to them slowing or stopping. This extra time lets you avoid unnecessary stopping and, thus, allows you to be more fuel-efficient.
6. Use Less Air Conditioning.
Fuel powers your air conditioning. If you are on a strict budget and trying to pinch every penny, you are better off lowering the windows in your vehicle to cool off rather than running the air conditioner. Don't worry as much in the winter, though. Heaters do not use nearly as much energy as air conditioners do since they recycle the heat from the engine.
7. Anticipate Traffic Lights.
Every time you come to a complete stop while you are driving, you are using more fuel than if you did not stop all of your momentum. If you anticipate the traffic lights, you can slow enough in advance to avoid a complete stop. When the light turns green again, you can just continue driving.
8. Check the Air Pressure in Your Tires.
If your tires are under-inflated, they may be causing you to use more fuel than necessary. Check the air pressure in your tires regularly to ensure you are not wasting any fuel unnecessarily.
9. Remove Unnecessary Weight.
The heavier the load your engine is pulling, the more fuel it is going to use. If you are hauling around heavy things unnecessarily, you are also paying more at the pump than you need to be.
Consider cleaning out your vehicle and only driving around with what you need. This includes roof racks or boxes that are not in use. Not only will they add to your total weight, but they will also create considerable drag that will lower your fuel efficiency.
10. Accelerate Slowly.
Punching the throttle is unnecessary and just wastes fuel. Gradually allow your vehicle to get up to speed after a complete stop.
By implementing these tips, you will not only be lighter on your wallet at the gas pump, but you are also prolonging the life of your engine by avoiding wear and tear it doesn't need. No one wants to be replacing their diesel fuel valve or diesel pump parts more often than they have to already.
