Achieving maximum fuel efficiency is at the top of every driver's wish list; thus, this post by Weaver Synthetics in Portland shares top tips on how to minimize fuel consumption. Read on to learn more.

Rising fuel prices are constantly taking a toll on drivers' budgets. As a car owner, you probably feel a bit jittery every time you stop by the gas station to fill up your tank. You may have even considered taking other mobility means, such as using public transportation or riding your bicycle; however, these options may not be feasible for you regarding the distances or number of errands you must cover. While you can hardly influence the supply and demand dynamics that impact and raise fuel prices, you can minimize fuel consumption by maintaining your vehicle and improving your driving habits. If you need tips on saving money on gas, keep reading this post by Weaver Synthetics.

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Top Ways to Minimize Fuel Consumption

Be Gentle With Your Pedals

Every driver has their habits and behaviors behind the wheel. While some are very cautious and gradually slow down or increase their speed, others tend to be more impatient with the pedals; therefore, they tend to accelerate and brake hard. As you can imagine, being careless with the pedals puts a lot of strain on the engine, forcing it to burn more fuel. According to Department of Energy researchers, aggressive driving (fast acceleration, late braking) reduces gas mileage in light vehicles by 10 to 40 percent in stop-and-go city traffic and 15 to 30 percent on the highway. Given these facts, it's safe to say you can improve your fuel efficiency by avoiding putting the "pedal to the metal"; instead, opt for more gentle and efficient driving.

Avoid Idling

You have probably heard that idling is an efficient way to use fuel; well, such assertion is correct only if your car was manufactured before 1980 and is equipped with a carburetion device; otherwise, we suggest you avoid idling. Nowadays, vehicles are equipped with a fuel injection system whose function is to control the volume of gasoline used during engine start-up; therefore, restarting the engine wastes less fuel than idling. With this in mind, choose to turn off your vehicle whenever you are stuck in traffic, waiting for your children at school, or waiting in line.

Another way to minimize fuel consumption is to give your vehicle the most effective synthetic oil change in Portland. Call Weaver Synthetics at (503) 244-9394, or browse AMSOIL's online store to place an order on top-shelf formulas for your engine.

Keep an Eye on the Oxygen Sensor

This component sends data to the control module indicating the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust; in response, the control module manages the amount of fuel the injectors deliver to achieve a balanced fuel mixture between oxygen and gasoline. When the sensor is faulty, it indicates incorrect amounts of oxygen, which can cause the injectors to supply excessive amounts of fuel to the mixture, thus causing waste. In this regard, it is worth noting that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, your vehicle's mileage can be improved by up to 40% by fixing or replacing a faulty oxygen sensor, so be sure to keep this component in perfect condition.

Check Your Tire Pressure

Your tires need to have adequate operating pressure to support the weight of your vehicle and overcome rolling resistance; however, you can expect tires to lose pressure over time. When tires are left underinflated, the engine must compensate for the lack of inflation by making a more arduous mechanical effort, which, as you may already know, is made possible by burning excessive amounts of fuel. Considering that, ensure to check the air pressure in your tires at least once a month to avoid fuel waste.

Keep Your Vehicle as Light as Possible

Do you usually carry gym equipment, work tools, or significantly heavy objects in your vehicle's trunk? In that case, you should know that your fuel consumption can increase by 1% for every 100 pounds of extra weight in your car, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Given that fact, we suggest you remove as much weight as possible from your trunk as well as from the back seat and roof of your car.

Keep your vehicle in top shape by feeding it with the most effective synthetic oil in Portland. Reach out to Weaver Synthetics at (503) 244-9394 and ask their oil specialists about the recommended formulas for your engine. Don't forget to browse AMSOIL's online store to place your order on quality oils and products for your car maintenance.