GM FYI Blog

By Tom Henderson
GM Service Parts Operations

With gas prices continuing to increase this summer, here are some useful tips from Mr. Goodwrench to help make the most out of your next trip to the pump:

Keep your tires in tip-top shape.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Poorly inflated tires create rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. And underinflation is the leading cause of tire failures/blowouts.

Avoid rooftop carriers.
Approximately 1/4 of each gallon of gas is needed to overcome wind resistance, so avoid carrying things on your roof. If necessary, use an aerodynamic carrier to help minimize drag.

Remove junk from the trunk.
Added weight in your vehicle affects fuel economy, so take unnecessary items out of your trunk.

Go the speed limit. Use cruise control.
Speed limits are calculated for maximum safety — they’ll also reward you with maximum gas mileage. You can get up to 20 percent more mileage traveling 55 than 70 mph. Using cruise control provides additional gas savings.

Drive evenly. Avoid hard stops.
Quick starts burn gas while hard stops also cost you. Take your foot off the accelerator and coast a bit before stopping for a traffic light or a stop sign.

Avoid idling and rush hour traffic.
You’re burning fuel while idling — up to a gallon every hour. So, avoid rush hour traffic when possible.

Open windows at slow speeds. Use the air conditioner on highways.
Around town, turn your air conditioning off and roll down the windows. On the highway, open windows create drag at speeds of 40 mph or more, so roll them up and use the A/C.

Don’t accelerate up hill.
Build up speed before an incline, and then maintain it on the way up. Coast on the way down for additional fuel economy.

Fill up when it’s cool and before holidays.
Cooler temperatures in the early morning or late evening create less vapor. Also, getting a fill-up three days before a holiday will help you save on the per-gallon price at the pump.

Don’t top off gas and tighten the cap.
When buying gas, stop when the pump shuts off automatically. And remember, your tank needs both fuel and fumes, so tighten the gas cap after every fill-up.

Use the correct fuel grade, any brand.
Most vehicles don’t benefit from higher-octane, higher-priced gasoline, so use the lowest grade recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. The federal government also has standards for gasoline to be sold. That means one brand of gas isn’t better than another.

See more fuel-saving tips from Mr. Goodwrench.
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