Tips For Increasing Fuel Efficiency During the Winter

Tips For Increasing Fuel Efficiency During the Winter – In the cold winter months, your vehicle’s fuel efficiency can be negatively impacted by freezing outdoor temperatures. There may be nothing you can do about Mother Nature, but you can control the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and save money at the same time. Heed these tips.

Park Indoors

By parking your garage indoors, the interior of the vehicle stays warmer, which means you don’t have to defrost your vehicle and waste fuel. Also, parking in a garage not only positively impacts fuel efficiency, it ensures you avoid direct exposure to the weather. Keeping your vehicles outside in winter means your fuel gets thicker and needs more energy to lubricate the engine.

Regulate Tire Pressure

Regularly check the tire pressure if you want to achieve maximum fuel economy. That’s because tire pressure changes with falling temperatures, resulting in lower fuel efficiency. When your tire pressure falls, inflate the tires to the recommend psi.

Avoid Driving Through Snow

Try not to drive your car through drifts of snow, even though this can’t always be avoided. Because your tires will face more resistance, this will force the engine to work overtime in turning the tires. Overworked engines are not as fuel efficient because they burn more fuel.

Don’t Let Your Car Warm Up

Many people mistakenly assume they have to warm up their car for several minutes before driving off, but this isn’t quite true, as starting your car in advance won’t do much to ensure a more comfortable interior for passengers or warm up the engine.

Simply start up your vehicle when you want to leave, but start off driving at low speeds. The engine will warm up naturally as you move towards your destination.

Refrain From Using Winter-Blend Gas

Winter-blend fuel evaporates easily at colder temperatures, which is good for starting the engine faster and ensuring it runs more smoothly. But the winter blend has less energy than the summer blend, thus leading to reduced mileage.

Get a Tune-Up

Bring your car or truck in for a tune-up as the temperatures fall. Your mechanic can check the wheel alignment, inspect the battery, and change the oil. This can all help improve fuel economy.

Remove Sources of Excess Weight

Remove unnecessary objects in the trunk (bike racks, i.e.) and eliminate roof racks which will reduce weight and wind resistance. The engine will burn more fuel when you’re carrying heavy loads.

Combine Trips

Plan ahead and combine all your errands in one day to spend less on fuel rather than space out errands over several days.

Drive With Caution

Aggressive driving and hard braking makes your vehicle use more fuel. Use extra caution when driving and reduce your speed to fit unsafe winter road conditions.

Call Us For Emergency Services

Call for emergency fueling services like those offered here at Taylor Oil to avoid running out of fuel unexpectedly. Signing up now puts you at the top of the list for deliveries!