4 fuel-saving tips you must know (and practice) now

It seems that fuel prices have just one way to go — up. Here are few tips to help you improve your fuel efficiency, reduce your fuel consumption, and — ultimately — save money.

Slow down.

Driving more slowly is the first and most efficient way to save gas. This is, of course, the most challenging recommendation to put into action. It can be difficult to motivate yourself to drive eight or 16 kph slower than usual. The savings at the pump, on the other hand, will be evident. After a while, driving more slowly will become instinctive to you, and you won't have to worry about saving money on gas.

Take your car to the service center for regular maintenance.

To keep your vehicle running efficiently, have it serviced on a regular basis. Keep the engine filled up with oil, and keep the tires inflated to their correct pressure because under-inflated tires produce more rolling resistance and waste more fuel.

Use engine braking whenever possible.

In most cars, if you take your foot off the accelerator, your engine will not consume any fuel.

Mechanical engineer Jason Fenke illustrates this in a YouTube video through a stoplight example: one driver keeps the accelerator pressed and sustains full speed before stopping at the light, while the other instantly releases the throttle.

As they approach the light, the second driver gradually loses speed while consuming no fuel. The second driver also consumes less fuel idling since it takes longer to arrive at the light.

Fenke also advises engine braking on steep slopes for fuel efficiency and appropriate car care.

Check if your car has an eco mode.

Many new cars have an eco mode. Although your vehicle may have a different label for this mode, you are probably familiar with it. This driving mode is meant to boost fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by using slightly less fuel. You can save up to 10% or more on gas if you shift from regular to eco driving mode (depending on your vehicle). If you have a hybrid car, driving it in electric-only mode whenever possible will help you save even more money on gas.

Photo from Chevron Philippines, Inc.