5 Facts About Driving for Better MPG

Slow and Steady

Speed is not all it's cracked up to be, especially if you're on the hunt for good gas mileage. To get the highest fuel efficiency possible, stay within the speed limits and try to accelerate slowly and steadily if traffic conditions allow.

Lighten the Load

You can get better mpg by lightening the load in your car to reduce its overall weight. Do you haul equipment for your job? Extra pounds decrease fuel economy and make your engine and transmissions work harder. Try not to haul too much at once to avoid putting additional strain on your car and your wallet.

Cruising Along

Maintaining a constant speed reduces fuel consumption. If your transmission has an overdrive gear then use it to decrease engine speed, which serves to reduce wear and tear on your car and increase fuel economy. While cruise control can't be used in high-traffic areas or in stop-and-go driving, use it whenever possible when cruising on wide open roads.

Enjoy your Trip

Drivers who weave in and out of traffic and jockey for an inch-ahead position in a sea of traffic accomplish little in the end. This kind of aggressive driving decreases fuel efficiency and can contribute to accidents.

Don't Idle

When it's time to run into the corner store on your way home for milk and bread, turn the engine off, don't leave it idling. Most hybrid vehicles feature a stop-start system so their engines automatically shut off when stopped to save fuel, then start again seamlessly when the accelerator pedal is pressed. While regular cars don't have this feature, it's easy enough to turn off the key when your car will be idle for more than a few moments to save fuel.

Tracie Close is a freelance writer for print and the web on eco-friendly topics. Her articles have been published in Saving American Manufacturing, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and High Tech, High Touch. She also has contributed numerous articles about green living for eHow.com