how do i make a car more fuel efficient?

Bell Pasco: Pang, keep the air filter changed,tires properly inflated according to the sidewall recommendations on the tires. Of course they're is the tune up involving plugs and wires. But if ya do more in town ( 40 mph or less) driving ya want to use a higher heat rated plug for cleaner burning, and a colder plug for highway driving if 90% is on the 55 mph+ range. Otherwise stick with the manufacturer's recommendation in your owner's manual.. If ya don't use the air conditioner, only "crack" the windows about an inch to prevent "drag" with the air whipping around in the vehicle. And last but not least is "The Driver"!!! No fast take-offs, coasting to a red lite instead of running up to it before braking. A lot of cars get better milage at 62 mph than at 55 or 65 mph due to the way it's geared. Just remember, "Easy Take-off, Easy Braking".Tires, a narrower tire has less wind drag than "fat tires" . Taller tires if highway driving is what ya do( less revolutions per mile! than shorter tires. But it will throw your speedometer off a few mph so ya might want to have it checked at a "Speedometer Shop" to save on speeding tickets and have it re-calibrated or just remember how many mph off it isand decrease speed accordingly. finally , a great polish job and keeping it clean will also reduce "wind drag". I also recommend STP gas treatment once a month in a tank of gas , followed by a bottle of Lucas fuel injector cleaner in the next tank full to keep injectors spraying cleanly and not "dribbling" gas in. A lot of this I have learned from GM engineers and life's experiences...Show more

Ignacio Imbier: There are only a few things you can do to your car to make it more fuel efficient. There are a lot more things that you can do to your own driving style to make you drive more fuel efficiently... So learning to drive more efficiently is probably the most important way to improve fuel efficiency.Use the recommended grade of engine oil, and do! n't overfill.Check your tire pressures - make sure that they a! re at minimum the pressures stated by your car manufacturer (in your owner's manual, door jamb or glove box placard), maximally the max. cold pressure as listed on your tire's sidewall. Check when cold (before driving on them), and recheck about once a month.Make sure that you are up to date on your maintenance. If you need a tune-up, get it. If you haven't changed the engine air filter in a long time, especially if you live in a dusty area, change it. Similar for spark plugs.Remove unnecessary weight from your car. If you're not carrying those bicycles or skis, remove the bike rack or roof rack. If you're not going golfing, take those clubs out of the trunk. It takes more energy to move around more stuff.Only use the gasoline octane that is required by your owner's manual. Using a higher octane than recommended will only cost you at the pump and not improve your fuel economy (as higher octane fuel has a lower energy content than regular octane gasoline). Using a l! ower octane than recommended in a car that requires premium can lower your fuel economy (car isn't tuned for it) and also cause engine damage over time.Avoid short trips.Combine your trips together. Stop for groceries on the way home from work, rather than making a special trip out on the weekend.Try to avoid the slow idling of rush hour, by staggering your work schedule, or take a different route home.Avoid aggressive driving. No jack-rabbit starts, or heavy braking. Coast whenever possible.Observe the speed limit. Wind resistance increases by the square of your speed.Avoid idling. Your car doesn't need a warm-up time, and idling to warm up your car may actually be illegal depending on where you live. Listen to the traffic reports to avoid those tie-ups.If you have cruise control, use it. (but not if you are in very hilly terrain)If you have control over what gears you are in, use the highest gears available (stay out of the lower ones). i.e. if your vehicle has ! overdrive, let the vehicle use it.Don't circle and circle trying to fig! ure out where you are - ask for directions.Don't drive angry/mad.Of course, there are other ways to be even more fuel efficient. Carpool. Walk, bicycle, or take public transit. Only use the most fuel efficient vehicle that you have in your "fleet." Telecommute when possible, or change your work schedule (such as a 4 day/10 hour week instead of 5 day/8 hours)....Show more

Kara Tabian: Change how you drive.LOL! Just kidding! Nobody wants to do that! Well, hypothetically, if someone did, they might look up "hypermile" for lots of tips on how to get really crazy MPG. Don't do them all, some of them are stupid or tedious, but the more you do, the better MPG you get.The maintenance stuff is good. But don't go thinking it'll save enough fuel to pay for the cost of it. Good maintenance will make your car last a LOT longer, which is the reason to do it....Show more

Gilberto Cratin: a good way is to sell the car and get a bicycle that way you need never worry ab! out fuel for a car