SUV’s are popular for their roomy interior, styling and off-road capability but they can be notorious for using too much gas on the road. You can improve your sport utility vehicle’s gas mileage by following a few simple tips that can help you save money at the gas tank.
One of the most basic ways to use less gas is to keep your vehicle well-maintained. You need to have your SUV get regularly scheduled tune-ups as suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Besides tune-ups, you also need to have the oil changed every 3000 miles to keep the engine clean. These basic things will help to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently which equals less fuel usage.
Your SUV’s tires can be a hidden problem that can cause your vehicle to waste gas unnecessarily. These vehicles require wider and larger tires to support it on the road, and the more tread that comes in contact with the road, the more gas it will use. This is why proper tire maintenance is so critical to gas savings. Making sure your tires are filled to the appropriate air pressure can help you save on fuel. Tires that get low or under inflated make the vehicle have to work harder during driving. Having your tires aligned and balanced can also help to add to your fuel savings. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every other oil change.
While driving, especially on the highway, your best bet for reducing your fuel usage is to maintain a steady speed. If you constantly speed up and slow down, the engine is forced to use more gas. It also helps to drive at a lower speed, doing around 5 to 10 miles under the speed limit when safe. The faster you drive the faster your fuel tank will empty. If you are driving for long periods of time you can make the most efficient use of your fuel by turning on cruise control, if your vehicle has this capability.
When running errands around town, it is a smart idea to use roads that have less traffic on them. When you get caught up in traffic on a busy road, the constant breaking and acceleration can waste a lot of gas. You should also try to run as many errands in one trip as you can. If the weather is nice outside, turn off the air-conditioning while driving. Your vehicle’s air conditioner requires a lot of power which necessitates a lot of fuel, so use it as minimally as possible. Opening your windows can bring in fresh air and gives your fuel tank a break.
Another reason SUV’s are popular is because of their roomy interior that allows you to carry a lot of stuff around when you need it. If you do not have to move anything heavy or are just doing regular driving, take as many cumbersome items out of the vehicle as you can. The heavier a load your SUV has to transport, the more gas it will use.
By driving smart and keeping your vehicle well-maintained, you can keep more money in your wallet and more fuel in your gas tank.