With the ever-growing fuel costs and shortages, you might ask yourself - “How can I improve my vehicle's MPG?” This is why we have put together this handy guide of 10 tips to help you improve your MPG and reduce your emissions which protects our environment.
Firstly, you might ask what does 'MPG' mean? MPG stands for Miles Per Gallon – it tells you how many miles you can travel per gallon of fuel.
The 10 points below are habits we can all get into that will improve our MPG.
1. Go easy on the accelerator
We all know how tempting it is to push on the accelerator and get up to speed as quickly as possible, but that will impact your MPG. You should always smoothly accelerate off the pedal so as not to put a strain on the engine, which in turn will help your MPG as it would be a smoother, consistent transition.
2. Don’t overload your car
Not many people would think that the weight of a car would affect the MPG, but it does! Having 5-people, 6-suitcases, 3-shopping bags, and a dog in your vehicle is not the best idea – this will put your car under more pressure, and it will have to use more power to perform. Overloading will play a part in a decreased MPG. Make sure you check to see how much weight your vehicle can handle without affecting the performance.
3. Utilise Cruise Control
Utilising Cruise Control can help with fuel efficiency as this will maintain a constant speed - this improves your MPG as there won't be sudden changes in acceleration and deceleration. One of the main factors to having a higher average MPG is keeping a consistent speed.
4. Turn off your car when stopped at lights
Contrary to popular belief, keeping your car on while waiting at traffic lights (idling) - will not improve your MPG – it does the opposite! You can reduce emissions and save fuel by switching your car off at traffic lights for just 10 seconds! Please note idling is also illegal.
5. Check your Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure plays a big part in your fuel consumption. Underinflated tyres cause your car to resist motion. Car tyres naturally lose 1 or 2 PSI each month, which can cause the weight of your vehicle to shift to one side of the car. When the PSI on each tyre is equal, this ensures that the vehicle's weight is distributed evenly. Follow the manufacturers recommended tyre pressure in your vehicle's manual to optimise your performance.
6. Shifting Gears
For those of you with manual cars, it is important to note that the shift in gears can affect your average MPG. Using the correct gears at the right time will help with this. Additionally, over-revving your engine will decrease your fuel efficiency. Aim to shift to the next gear as soon as your car can do so without affecting its performance. Newer cars tend to have a built-in feature that tells you when it is best to up to the next gear to maintain an increased MPG.
7. Car Maintenance
Maintaining and servicing your car is crucial to ensure optimum efficiency. To ensure the performance of the vehicle is at its very best, check all your car parts and fluids are in top working order. In addition, you will have peace of mind that your car aligns with the manufacturers standards, giving maximum reliability.
8. Air Con
In the summer, Air Con is something that we appreciate a lot. However, using it can put more strain on the battery, ultimately causing more fuel consumption. Opening the windows is a good alternative during a stand-still or whilst driving at low speed. However, when you drive at higher speeds, closing the windows and turning the Air Con on will help to reduce the drag, which can help with fuel efficiency.
9. Braking harshly
When you push the brakes on your vehicle down quickly and harshly, it will cause more fuel consumption due to the sudden changes that your car is faced with – putting pressure on the vehicle's engine. Instead, make sure you read the road around you and start to slow the car down in plenty of time so it is less strain on your brakes, which will promote a smoother journey and an increased MPG.
10. Speed Limits
Remember, the speed limit is not a target - it is a limit! Obeying the speed limits will play a massive part in improving your MPG. Another thing to think about is that every car has an optimal speed for ensuring maximum performance and fuel efficiency. Make sure you know what speed is best for your vehicle and, try not to go over this speed.
Utilising each of these tips will put you in the right direction to improve your overall MPG. We hope the points have been beneficial to you. If you ever have any questions about optimising your MPG, feel free to speak to one of our friendly staff members at Richmond Motor Group, who will be more than happy to help you!