The best way to learn how to save gas is to look at the trips you take every week. Start with one driving habit and one simple check on the vehicle, then see what changes across several fill-ups.
Plan the trips you already take
Combine errands so you cover fewer miles and make fewer cold starts. If two stops are near each other, plan them as one trip. For a regular commute, compare carpooling or a route with fewer long delays before changing your routine.
Drive smoothly and keep up with maintenance
Leave room to slow down without hard braking, accelerate gradually, and observe the speed limit. Check cold tire pressure against the driver’s door label, remove roof racks when you no longer need them, and follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
Measure your actual fuel economy
Record miles and gallons over several fill-ups. Compare similar routes and driving conditions so a long highway trip doesn’t skew the comparison. Pick one change and see whether it saves enough fuel or time to keep doing.
How to save gas on your regular route
Pick a route you drive repeatedly, such as your commute. Keep the start and destination fixed and compare a normal week with a week when you combine errands and leave yourself more time. Note days with heavy traffic, unusual weather, or extra passengers. Those differences help explain why one tank can give you a different result even when you drive the same way.
Keep a simple fuel log
Reset the trip meter when you fill up. On the next fill, divide the miles by the gallons added. Track several fills before drawing a conclusion. If you share the vehicle, ask the other driver to jot down any unusual trips. Use the pattern to choose the change that saves fuel without making your week more complicated.
For more detail, see FuelEconomy.gov’s tips for driving more efficiently. Also see Energy Conservation Tips for another part of this series.