Do you love your RAM truck or Jeep Gladiator but hate the pain at the pump? With gas prices on the rise, filling up has become a hassle for many local drivers – especially those behind the wheel of a truck or SUV.
Here at Hoover Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, our team has compiled these fuel saving strategies to maximize your gas mileage.
Fine-Tune Your Driving Habits
- Avoid rapid acceleration and braking.
Speeding up and slowing down can reduce fuel efficiency by 15 to 30% at highway speeds of 65 mph or greater. The constant stop-and-go of rush hour Charleston traffic coupled with unavoidable idling causes fuel consumption to increase drastically. To reduce the amount of time spent idling, turn off your car and then restart it if you know you won’t be moving for more than a few minutes.
- Stick to the speed limit.
Because most vehicles achieve peak fuel efficiency at 50 mph, avoid speeding on the highway to conserve fuel and save money at the pump.
- Use cruise control.
Minimizing speed fluctuations helps improve fuel economy, so utilize cruise control when possible.
- Be sure to shift gears properly.
For manual transmission vehicles, it’s best to upshift as soon as it’s practical and brake instead of downshifting.
- Anticipate stop lights and traffic jams.
Maintain your momentum when possible to improve vehicle fuel economy. If you’re approaching a red light, take your foot off the gas and coast to give the light time to change before you stop completely.
- Open the windows when driving in town.
When not driving on the highway, save money by turning off the air conditioner and rolling down the windows.
- Keep cargo light.
Extra weight in your vehicle creates a drag on the engine and boosts fuel consumption. Only haul what you need to cut fuel costs.
Proper Vehicle Maintenance Matters
- Follow recommendations in your owner’s manual.
When it comes to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule or oil/fuel type, check your owner’s manual.
- Keep tires properly inflated and rotated.
Check your tire pressure monthly to avoid driving on underinflated tires.
- Check engine air filters regularly.
Dirty filters reduce fuel efficiency, especially in older vehicles, and impact power output in newer models.
- Service your fuel injection system.
It’s recommended to have a Fuel System Service performed every 30,000 miles. This involves cleaning the fuel system, fuel injectors, and removing sediments from the intake valves.
- Schedule service as soon as the “Check Engine” light comes on.
This light is an important indicator that one of your car’s systems is not functioning properly. This can result in poor performance and decreased gas mileage on your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or RAM vehicle.
Hoover Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Service Center is Here to Help!
Time to schedule maintenance services? Get to our Hoover Service Center in Summerville, South Carolina – where your vehicle’s performance is our top priority! Our certified technicians are proud to serve our friends and neighbors in the greater Charleston area. From oil or air filter changes to brake service, we’ve got you covered!
While you’re here, check out the newest models on our lot from Chrysler, Dodge, RAM and Jeep brands! Test drive the adventure-ready 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee today!