The easiest way to get good gas mileage is to drive a vehicle that is, by design, fuel efficient. That normally means a small vehicle with a small engine. That’s pretty simple – in fact, it’s so simple, I feel kind of silly saying it. The truth is, it has to be said. Every day I talk with customers who literally don’t understand that eight and six cylinder engines get worse gas mileage than 4 or 3 cylinder engines. They will typically understand that they get more power from larger engines, but the bigger energy requirement doesn’t hit them.

That said, there are ways to maximize the fuel efficiency of any vehicle.

1. The first is famous due to President Obama – keep your tires properly inflated! Don’t just eye your tires either – they can lose up to 50% of their pressure and still look the same. Check the pressure with a gauage. You’ll get much better gas mileage!
2. Don’t drive with a check engine light on. If your spark plugs aren’t firing properly, or if you have an oxygen sensor that needs replacing, you’re really going to be using fuel at a ridiculous rate – ridiculous! With gas prices rising again, a bad oxygen sensor can literally cost the average driver several hundred dollars in one year.g
3. Accelerate slowly. Decelerate slowly. Braking is, in a way, ironic. It’s ironic because most people slam their gas peddle and rob themselves of money, and then take that speed they paid for and slam on their brakes. Don’t brake as much! In other words, take your foot off the gas and let gravity and air resistance slow you down.

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