Tips To Improve Your Summer Fuel Economy

A Few Simple Ways to Improve Your Summer Fuel Economy

Aside from driving a Toyota hybrid, there are a few things you can do this summer to help improve your fuel economy when the temperature heats up.
Some simple adjustments to your vehicle maintenance and driving habits will help optimize your petro.

Keep Your Oil Changes Regular

If you’re running your vehicle with oil pasted its prime, it’s easy to lose fuel economy as your vehicle has to work harder to pump the thicker oil through. Like anything, the harder something has to work, the more energy it consumes.

Check Your Air Filter

Dirty air filters are another reason for a decrease in fuel economy. Like the oil change, your vehicle has to work harder to breathe when your filter is dirty. Picture a sieve. If it’s clog, it doesn’t work effectively. Same goes for your air filter.

Make Sure Your Tires are Rolling with the Right Pressure

You often can improve your fuel economy by simply making sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure (PSI). Under inflated tires, like both the points above, makes your vehicle work harder, plus wears your tires out at a faster rate which costs you even more down the road when you have to replace sooner.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Not only is aggressive driving quite dangerous, but it also helps to drain your gas tank quicker than you likely prefer. Quick acceleration and hard braking are two of the main culprits as it puts extra pressure on your vehicle.

Slow Down

Most of us are guilty of it at some point or another. Sun’s out, the road’s open and your foot gets a little too heavy. This can cost you in the form of a ticket, plus you’ll be filling up more frequently too. Cruise control is an excellent way to regulate your speed and save some coin at the same time. Doesn’t it sound better to slow down, and get to where you’re going safely, with a little extra money in your pocket?

Turn Off Your Engine

I know, it’s hot and the A/C feels so good, but leaving your vehicle’s engine idling wastes your gas, and it’s not good for the environment either. It’s highly recommended to shut your vehicle off if you’re parked for anything more than 10 seconds.

Limit Your A/C

Air Conditioning has always been the main cause for reduced fuel economy, especially on short trips. If you’re not going far, try putting the windows down instead of cranking up the A/C.  To help with your cabin heat when you’re not in your vehicle, try parking in the shade when possible.
Hope these tips help ease the pain when at the pumps this summer.
However, if you are interested in a Hybrid, Toyota does have several Self-Charging Hybrids to choose from; both sedans and SUV’s, as well as the Prius Prime Plug-In Hybrid.
Whatever you decide, here’s to a fun-filled summer!