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| Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned |
 Fixing
a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions
test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though
results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor,
can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. |
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Fuel
Economy Benefit: |
4% |
| |
Equivalent
Gasoline Savings: |
$0.11/gallon |
|
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Check & Replace
Air Filters Regularly |
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Air filter savings based on:
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 1981, Automobile Fuel Consumption in Actual Traffic Conditions. Paris, France.
These tests were performed before the introduction of computer-controlled, fuel-injection engines. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is currently studying the fuel economy effects of clogged air filters on more modern engines. |
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Fuel
Economy Benefit: |
up to
10% |
| |
Equivalent
Gasoline Savings: |
up to $0.27/gallon |
|
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Keep Tires Properly
Inflated
|
 |
You can improve
your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated
to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage
by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires.
Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. |
|
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Fuel Economy Benefit: |
up to
3% |
| |
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: |
up to $0.08/gallon |
|
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Use the Recommended
Grade of Motor Oil
|
 You
can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's
recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in
an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent.
Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage
by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving"
on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing
additives.
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Fuel Economy Benefit: |
1-2% |
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Equivalent Gasoline Savings: |
$0.03-$0.05/gallon |
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Note:
Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $2.66/gallon.
Data Sources
Estimates for fuel savings from vehicle maintenance, keeping
tires properly inflated, and using the recommended grade of motor
oil based on Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc., Owner Related Fuel Economy Improvements,Arlington, Virginia, 2001.
Air filter savings based on Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Automobile Fuel Consumption in Actual Traffic Conditions. Paris, France, 1981. These tests were performed before the introduction of computer-controlled, fuel-injection engines. DOE is currently studying the fuel economy effects of clogged air filters on more modern engines.
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