First of all, let’s make sure you haven’t missed any of the quick and simple strategies to get better miles per gallon (mpg), whether your vehicle runs on gas or deisel.

Our tips to save gas include the following checklist for better vehicle gas mileage:

• Cut out unnecessary journeys. If you only need to drive two blocks or less than a mile (1.6 kms) then give serious consideration to walking instead. You will also improve your fitness!
• Do your shopping less often. Organize to save staples by stocking up your kitchen larder and fridge.
• Pitch-in with a neighbor or friend, and be willing to shop for some of their groceries and they can do the same for you… Like maybe you pick up fresh bread, milk and fruit on Tuesdays and they cover Thursdays for you. It saves gas and can deepen friendships as well! It could also be possible to form a neighborhood Co-Op, where all the people in several households share chores. Try it out and encourage others to get interested as well.
• Make sure your car or truck has the correct air pressure in all of its tires (tyres in UK/AU) before you drive. Tires that are under-inflated (too soft) will have too much “give” as you drive, and this softness causes more friction. That extra friction is wasted energy that burns more of your precious fuel. Tires that are over-inflated (too hard) will save gas – at least a little bit – but the rubber tread will wear out more in the center.
• Remove any unnecessary weight that you’ve been carrying every day in the car. Check your car boot (trunk) for any tools or equipment you never use. It’s all excess weight, and that reduces your mpg (or litres/km in some countries). Eliminate the waste and again you’ll get better mileage/Kms and be saving gas money.
• If you have roof bars or a roof rack bolted to the top of your car, consider unbolting them and storing them in your garage until you need them for your next vacation. The roof bar causes more friction with air flowing over the shape of your vehicle. Cutting down on this unwanted friction will give your car or truck more improvements in vehicle gas mileage as well.

These are all little things, but they all add up to helping you save gas. But wait. Here are more gas saving tips for you. Get better mpg.

• Have the radiator flushed and fresh coolant added. Many people will be able to do this themselves, and it will improve engine efficiency by making sure your car’s motor doesn’t overheat. Don’t forget to use antifreeze, not water, if you have cold winters!
• Get your engine oil changed. This is simple enough for most people. Make sure your car’s engine is warm, so the oil will flow easily. Remove the bolt under the oil sump and drain it into an oil pan. Pour the dirty oil into an empty oil can and dispose of the oil responsibly … take it to the recycling facility. Replace the bolt plug and tighten it securely. Add new oil to the engine and check the level using the car’s dipstick. If you forget to tighten the oil plug bolt it will fall out while you’re driving, your oil will pour out, and you will destroy the engine. I had a lazy mechanic do this to me a few years ago.
• Some cars have a selection button which reads Power or Economy. If yours has one of these switches, then choose Economy. You will start to save gas immediately.
• Have your vehicle serviced by a qualified mechanic, and have them pay particular attention to aligning the steering and balancing the wheels.
• Get the wheel bearings greased. This is simple enough to do yourself with a grease gun; but be 101% sure that the car cannot possibly fall on top of you if you are going to venture underneath. A falling car will certainly kill you.
• Have the gearbox or auto transmission fluid changed. (All these tweaks minimize friction.)
• Schedule your car or truck for an engine tune-up, and the mechanic to tweak the carburetor adjustment for a slightly leaner fuel mixture. That way, you’ll burn less fuel. Yes, your engine will be slightly less responsive but it will save gas and save money too. And your motor vehicle will have much better vehicle gas mileage than it did before.