Parks Ford of Gainesville

How Can I Get Better Gas Mileage? | Gainesville FL

Improve your gas mileage

How to Get Better Gas Mileage in Gainesville, FL

Parks Ford of Gainesville wants our customers to have the best experience driving their new Ford. Whether you drive a small car or a full-size SUV, there are some simple things that you can do to help your vehicle get the best fuel economy. In fact, many of these techniques will also help reduce the amount of emissions your vehicle puts into the air. Some are more obvious than others, but all are easy ways to improve gas mileage. If you're ready to learn more about slashing your vehicle's fuel consumption, here are a few tips for how you can do just that.

Schedule your travel time efficiently.

There's nothing worse than being stuck in traffic. Make the most of your time out on the road by planning your day accordingly. Avoid rush hour, which can affect both fuel efficiency and your mood! Large shopping centers closer to home and trips that can be combined are great time-saving practices that will help reduce your overall fuel consumption.

Reduce weight.

Your car may feel like a mobile storage shed. Tools, shoes, cleaning supplies, sports equipment and all sorts of household items can be found in the trunk and back seats. Unfortunately, an overloaded vehicle weighs more than necessary and burns more fuel. The next time you're behind the wheel, consider how excess weight can affect your vehicle's fuel economy, and start by cleaning out your car to get rid of unnecessary items.

Avoid speeding.

No matter what your reason for driving, it's worth developing driving habits with the goal of saving fuel — and money. Speeding can not only increase your chances of getting into an accident but can also cause you to use extra fuel. If you need to go over 50 miles per hour at any point, turn on cruise control (when it's safe to do so) to keep your car going more steadily. In addition, try to avoid accelerating rapidly or braking suddenly.

Pump gas when the temperature is coolest.

When winter months are at their coldest, gasoline is denser, which means you get more miles per gallon when you fill up your gas tank during the cooler times of day. In order to take advantage of this simple tip, plan ahead and fill up your tank whenever you think temperatures will be coolest. If you leave early in the morning or around sunset (when it's coldest), you'll get a better deal when it comes to your fuel economy.

Don't let your vehicle idle for too long.

Idling your engine has a large impact on your gas mileage. Whenever possible, avoid letting your vehicle idle longer than 30 seconds at a time. Rather than letting your vehicle idle, simply turn it off until you need to restart it.

Keep up with maintenance.

Keeping your car in good health can lead to better fuel efficiency, as well as a longer life for the vehicle. This includes things like changing the oil regularly and keeping the tires inflated. If your engine also needs an overhaul, we have repair mechanics that can help with that as well. We are here to help you keep your car running smoothly all year round. If you schedule a service appointment with us, our skilled mechanics will fix any problems that may be plaguing your vehicle's health.

If you need further advice about your vehicle, feel free to contact us or stop by our dealership at 3333 North Main St., Gainesville, FL 32609 . We look forward to serving our customers near Alachua, Starke, Ocala and Lake City.

To learn more, visit:

https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/top-10-ways-to-get-better-gas-mileage,

https://www.gmfinancial.com/en-us/financial-resources/articles/improve-fuel-efficiency.html,

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0211/9-easy-ways-to-increase-your-gas-mileage.aspx