With the increased fuel prices and climate change, the need to conserve gas has never been higher. The good news is that improving your Ford’s mileage can save both your money and the environment! All it requires is for you to take good care of your Ford and improve your driving habits.Read on to learn more ways to increase your Ford’s mileage and keep it in the best shape while staying within your budget!
1. Take Care of the Engine
The engine is the heart of your Ford, and it must be well-maintained at all times. Driving a car with dirty and clogged filters will cause it to consume more fuel. In addition, a clogged air filter restricts airflow, lowering the amount of oxygen in the mixture.
It’ll need to generate more power to cover the same distance as it could with a clean filter. As a result, the car engine will compensate for this and consume more fuel than necessary.
Check for Leaks
You don’t need to be a mechanic to detect a leak. Most times, you can even smell an oil leak. The two fluids you want to ensure aren’t leaking out of your engine are oil and antifreeze.
Oil leaks are usually brown or black, while coolant can be green, pink, or yellow. Choosing the right engine oil is also essential as it relates to the mileage your engine offers. You can find out which brand is best in your Ford instruction manual.
Replace the oil and oil filters
Oil change recommendations vary, but the most recent standard is to change the oil every 7,500 miles.. Oil filters are equally important. They collect all of the dirt and debris floating around inside your engine, preventing it from recirculating. Your engine will run smoothly with a new filter and oil, and it will keep all of the internal engine parts cool and lubricated.
2. Take it Easy on the Pedal
Everybody runs late sometimes, so it’s understandable if you need to drive fast. However, it’s best not to turn this into a habit since speeding will consume more fuel.Sudden acceleration and slamming the brakes aren’t good for your Ford and its mileage. Poor driving habits can cut fuel economy by up to 30%. However, eliminating these habits from your routine will save money and increase your mileage. You can save between 31 cents and $1.24 per gallon compared to the current national average of $3.09 per gallon.
How to Avoid Sudden Acceleration
It’s best to take things slowly at first. Gently accelerate while scanning the road ahead, then keep driving within the local speed limit once you’ve reached a steady speed. If you see a traffic jam ahead, take your foot off the gas pedal earlier to gradually reduce your speed. Slamming the brakes will cost you more fuel and won’t benefit your Ford in the long run.
Slow Driving
The faster you go, the more fuel you consume. So it’s best to drive slow. Integrating this practice into your routine will do wonders for your Ford’s mileage. Instead of going 100 kilometers per hour, try 90 kilometers per hour. Your fuel consumption will be minimal up to a speed of 80 km/h.If you exceed that, your Ford will expend more energy to overcome wind resistance. Putting this into practice on the road can also help you save 22 to 43 cents per gallon.
3. Check the Tire Pressure
Proper inflation is key to increasing your Ford’s mileage. The Tire Label and the Door Jamb Label on your Ford will tell you the right pressure for your tires.Proper tire inflation will benefit you in more ways than one. Besides reducing rolling resistance and improving your Ford’s mileage, it will ensure your safety on the road. If you overinflate them,the grip reduces and wears your tires out.Underinflating your tires, in turn, increases rolling resistance. This means your car will have to work harder in traffic. Reduce the tire pressure when driving on the sand when going off-road. Instead of plowing into the surface, the tires float across it.
4. Reduce the Load
Leave bulky items at home. Anything that adds extra weight should not be in your car, as an additional 100 pounds can reduce your Ford’s mileage by a fair amount.This might be difficult to avoid if you own a 4WD model. You will consume more fuel on big outdoor trips, as the equipment is necessary.However, this problem affects smaller vehicles more. It’s relative to the weight of your vehicle, so the bigger your car is, the less it will be affected by more baggage. However, if you need to carry a lot of bulk, you will end up spending up to 3 more cents per gallon.It’s recommended to only keep the essentials on deck. This can include jumper cables, a toolset, and an emergency kit.
5. Refill Timings
Volume is vital when it comes to fuel. It is dispensed by volume, so if you are smart about when you fill your tank, it can help you save gas. But, of course, this depends on the time of the day and the temperature.The fuel will be denser if you fill your tank when it is coolest outside—early in the morning or late at night. Avoid the heat of the day. As a result, you will get more gas for the same price.
Conclusion
Improving your driving habits and proper maintenance will benefit you in the long run. In addition, keeping track of your Ford’s health is a great way of making it more fuel efficient, and improving its mileage. With these tips, you can save money on gas, reduce emissions, and keep your Ford running smoothly for years to come.
We at Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC offer the best car service to keep your Ford’s engine in top shape. So what’re you waiting for? Book a service appointment today or talk to a professional to get all your queries answered!
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