Most newer cars have a sensor that reads how much oxygen is being mixed in with the gas. You may not notice when these little components start malfunctioning, but your wallet will! The U.S. Department of Energy reports that changing a malfunctioning O2 sensor could result in as much as a 40 percent improvement in your gas mileage!
The Right Oil
Your car’s manufacturer recommends a certain type of oil to ensure proper functioning. All those numbers—10W30, 5W20, etc.—may not mean much to you, but it should mean something to your mechanic. Find out what type of oil your car manufacturer recommends for your car and make sure your mechanic is using that type. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using the wrong oil in your car could cause a drop of 1 to 2 percent in gas mileage. Doesn’t sound like much—it’s only a quarter to half of a mile if you’re getting 25 miles to the gallon—but it still adds up. The Department of Energy also recommends checking the API performance symbol on the oil container for the words “Energy Conserving”. Energy conserving oils contain friction-reducing additives that can improve your vehicle’s performance, which translates into better performance.
Tire Inflation
The next time you have your tire pressure checked, keep this equation in mind:
For every 1 PSI drop of pressure your fuel efficiency drops 0.4 percent.
Low tire pressure causes softer tires, which require more energy to roll. More energy means more gas used to create it. You could improve your gas mileage by 3.3 percent, estimates the U.S. Department of Energy, by simply keeping your tires at the correct pressure.
Closely related to tire pressure is using the right tire for the season. Snow tires provide more traction, which is perfect for winter weather. But in warmer weather, more traction means more engine effort—or more gas burnt. Switch out those tires when the weather warms up!