How to Reduce Your Vehicle’s Gas Usage

Maintaining maximum fuel efficiency is important regardless of the vehicle you drive. There are several ways that you can easily maximize the number of miles you get per gallon of gas. Below are some regular maintenance and operating tips to help you save at the pump.

Check Tire Air Pressure – Having your vehicle’s tires inflated to the proper pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer is one of the easiest ways to help maximize fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires can decrease your vehicle’s mileage and will wear the tire treads out more quickly. Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual or the tire sidewall for the correct air pressure for your tires.

Switch to Synthetic Motor Oil – A vehicle engine that is clean can maintain its power, fuel economy, and operating efficiency better than a dirtier engine. Be certain to change the motor oil at the interval prescribed by the vehicle manufacturer. Using a synthetic motor oil such as Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic for betterfuel economy¹, provide unsurpassed wear protection² and keeps pistons up to 45% cleaner than required by the toughest industry standard³. Pennzoil backs its motor oils with the free Pennzoil Lubrication Limited Warranty. The warranty demonstrates the confidence Pennzoil has in its Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils to help extend engine life and protect it for up to 15 years or 500,000 miles, whichever comes first. Guaranteed⁴. 

Change Air Filters – Changing a dirty or clogged air filter will improve airflow to your vehicle’s engine and increases its performance. A clean air filter also helps to maintain fuel efficiency, whereas a dirty filter will decrease fuel economy. When changing the engine air filter also check the vehicle's cabin filter which can usually be found behind the glove box inside most vehicles.

Change Fuel Filters – The fuel filter should be a part of the regular maintenance of a vehicle. When it becomes dirty, fuel efficiency will be decreased, and the vehicle may not run smoothly. A clogged fuel filter can cause the vehicle’s engine to stop running. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or with your vehicle service center for the proper interval to change the fuel filter.

Maintain Safe Driving Habits: The faster you drive your vehicle; the more fuel is used. Exceeding the speed limit, particularly on a highway, can decrease your fuel economy and result in more frequent trips to the pump to fill up. According to the EPA, speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking can waste your vehicle’s gas. Speeding can lower your vehicle’s gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Avoid Excessive Idling – Idling in a vehicle can waste fuel which costs you money.If you frequently wait to pick up kids at school or a commuter at the train station, turn off your vehicle instead of keeping it running. According to the EPA, idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on the vehicle’s engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Something drivers may not know is it only takes about 10 seconds of fuel to restart your vehicle. Keeping this in mind, idling for longer can be wasteful.

Maintaining your vehicle through some basic maintenance and keeping these daily tips can help keep your vehicle running efficiently, and maybe put some money back in your pocket.

^{1 Based on the latest industry standard.
2 Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30.
3 Based on Sequence IIIH results. Does not apply to SAE 0W-16 or Pennzoil Platinum® Euro motor oil.
4 Up to 15 years or 500,000 miles, whichever comes first, guaranteed, if you exclusively use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, and Pennzoil Platinum® High Mileage Full Synthetic motor oil. Your engine must have less than 125,000 miles and been manufactured in the past 72 months. To maintain your warranty, change your vehicle’s oil and oil filter at least as often as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Enrollment required. Keep your receipts. Other conditions apply. See Pennzoil.com/warranty to enroll and for full details and terms.}