Good fuel economy is a combination of good vehicle maintenance and sensible driving. Maintenance factors which contribute to good fuel economy are:
- A properly tuned engine
- A clean air filter
- A ligned and balanced front wheels
- Tires with the correct air pressure
Mistuned engines also result in higher emissions. The onboard diagnostic system in a modern car will alert you to an engine problem.
Sensible driving involves:
- Smooth, steady acceleration rather than jackrabbit starts
- Driving at moderate rather than high speeds on the highway
- Not carrying a heavy load using a luggage rack, or towing a trailer unnecessarily
- Not using the air conditioner or defroster excessively
- Not idling the engine when it could be turned off
Some factors which reduce fuel economy are beyond your control: water, slush, or snow on the road, head winds, driving up hill, and driving in stop-and-go traffic.