How to get better gas mileage | Gonzales, LA

Getting better gas mileage isn’t just about saving money at the gas pump, but also about making sure your car is performing at its best, and it serves as a good test for its overall health.

• Slow down. Every vehicle has an optimal speed for its best efficiency, and that speed is definitely lower than the highway’s speed limit. You can save money on gas AND traffic tickets by sticking to the speed limit.
• Start and stop slower. Getting your car moving from a complete stop uses a lot of gasoline, and trying to be the first person through the intersection at a red light will cost you more than you’d think. Similarly, if you’re slamming on your brakes regularly to come to a stop, try to ease off the gas before the stop so you coast to a slower speed before engaging your brakes. This will also help you save on brake pads!
• Don’t store heavy items in your car. A car typically weighs about 2600 lbs, so an added 100 lbs of cargo is a 5% increase.
• Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Underinflated tires “stick” to the ground, causing more friction, more tire breakdown, and lower mpg. Keep your tires to their recommended pressure and avoid the temptation to think that overinflation will make things better – while 1-2 extra PSI won’t make too much of a difference, significantly overinflating tires reduces their contact with the ground which will decrease your ability to control the car, particularly in wet weather. It will also wear out the center of your tires faster.
• Fill up your gas tank at night or early morning. Gas pumps measure by volume, and colder weather makes gasoline reduce its volume. In addition to that, colder fuel burns more efficiently!

If you’re concerned that your vehicle isn’t getting its best fuel efficiency, our experienced service professionals will be happy to check it out. Come see us at 14295 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, LA, 70737, call us at (225) 743-8200, or you can check our current inventory online at any time. We are proud to serve our neighbors in the Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, Denham Springs, Prairieville, and Zachary areas.