Summertime is right around the corner, and you know what that means: time for a Chrysler, Jeep®, RAM, or Dodge service appointment! If you’re worried about your car’s fuel economy, a service expert is the perfect person to talk to.
Additionally, you can try out these simple tricks to improve your vehicle’s mileage.
Lighten the Load
Carrying around as little as 100 extra pounds can reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by up to 1%. Naturally, smaller cars are affected more by increases in weight than larger trucks, vans, and SUVs. Still, you can expect to spend around 3 cents more per gallon of gas for every extra 100 pounds in or on your car.
Remove unwanted cargo from your trunk, cabin, and truck bed to help increase your vehicle’s fuel economy. And don’t forget to take off roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike racks when not in use.
Buy the Right Tires and Keep Them Inflated
Tires account for around 20% of your fuel consumption. Buying the right ones and making sure they have the correct amount of tire pressure are essential steps to having a fuel-efficient car. Our Dodge service experts can help you choose tires to fit your vehicle, driving habits, and budget.
Our service center can also check your tire pressure and inflate them as needed. Every month, you can expect to lose up to two pounds per square inch of tire pressure. Underinflated tires not only compromise your driving, but also increase your fuel consumption up to 3%.
Fill Your Tank at the Right Times
Get the biggest bang for your buck when you fuel up in the morning chill or in the cool air of the nighttime. Since gas is dispensed by volume, filling your tank at these times may yield denser fuel, as the oily substance becomes more concentrated as it cools. Doing this will also ensure that you have a full tank for the day ahead.
Slow Your Roll
We all want to get where we’re going, and get there fast. But fuel efficiency tends to decrease above 50 miles per hour, and for every five miles above that benchmark, you can expect to pay around 22 cents more per gallon of gas. Driving at slower speeds when possible can save you up to 43 cents per gallon.
Quick and abrupt acceleration isn’t great for your car’s mileage, either, as it can quickly eat up fuel. Cutting out bad driving habits like these can lead to a savings increase of $0.30 - $1.24 per gallon.
Stay Aligned
Not only is misalignment a safety hazard, but it can also negatively impact your car’s mileage. Fuel efficiency is reduced by as much as 10% when you have improperly aligned wheels, and your tires can also wear out more quickly due to uneven wear and tear. If you don’t want to attempt it yourself, getting your tires rotated is a standard maintenance service that most dealerships offer.
Increase Your MPG at Hall Chrysler Dodge Jeep® RAM Virginia Beach
There are dozens of other DIYs you can try to increase your car’s fuel economy. But the easiest (and quickest) one is to schedule a service appointment at Hall Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Virginia Beach. Our experts will perform maintenance tasks and provide advice on how to keep your Dodge vehicle running smoothly all summer long.