One of the most common questions we hear at Honest Wrenches is “how do I get better gas mileage?”. With gas prices at an all-time high, we know that getting the most out of your fuel mileage is more crucial than ever. From maintenance to fuel additives and services, there’s a lot you can do to make what’s in your tank last as long as possible. 

Check Your Air Filter

Your engine has to breathe too! A dirty filter reduces airflow to your engine,  reducing your engine’s performance, especially its fuel efficiency as well as horsepower. Making sure your filter is clean enough to let some fresh air through will keep a proper mixture of air and fuel, which will significantly help your fuel economy.

Take it Easy on the Pedal

With your air filter clean, your vehicle’s horsepower should increase, so you won’t have to put the pedal to the metal to get your vehicle up to speed. Hard acceleration greatly reduces your gas mileage, while a steady foot will help you get the most out of your gas mileage. 

Replace Your Spark Plugs

Gone are the days of replacing your copper spark plugs every 30,000 miles. Theiridium spark plugs we use today can last up to 100,000 miles, but making sure your spark plugs are regularly changed out is crucial to maintaining a lower gas mileage. How regularly you should change yours depends on what kind of spark plug your vehicle came with from the manufacturer. Most vehicles need a replacement between 60,000-100,00 miles.

Reduce Your Load

Still haven’t gotten around to dropping off that box of donations? Maybe have some sports equipment you forgot to put away? As small of a detail, this might seem, carrying more cargo than you need places an added weight on your vehicle. If you’re toting around extra items that you don’t need on the day to day, consider giving your vehicle a clean-out. 

Get started on the road to better gas mileage with these first four steps, and check back on Wednesday for four more!