How to Improve Fuel Efficiency in a Car With Accessories

Most car accessories run from power supplied by the battery. Improving the fuel efficiency of your car can be accomplished in a many different ways from simply making small changes in the everyday use of your vehicle to performing larger, more complicated maintenance fixes. Keeping up-to-date with your vehicle's maintenance and following simple guidelines can save you gas money by boosting the fuel efficiency of your car. Many of these tips can be applied to any vehicle.

• 1

  Drive more efficiently and avoid aggressive driving practices such as speeding, rapid acceleration and rapid braking. According to FuelEconomy.gov, aggressive driving can reduce fuel economy by up to 30 percent at highway speed and 5 percent at city speeds. Travelling at speeds over 60 miles per hour also reduces fuel efficiency for most vehicles.

• 2

  Remove extra weight in your car. For every additional 100 pounds in your vehicle, gas mileage can be reduced up to 2 percent according to FuelEconomy.gov.

• 3

  Avoid idling. This increases fuel consumption while getting nothing in return.

• 4

  Use overdrive gears and cruise control whenever possible. Overdrive reduces the engine speed which will save on gas and reduce engine wear. Cruise control will keep your speed constant to avoid constant acceleration and deceleration.

• 5

  Keep your air conditioner turned off. The air conditioner lowers fuel efficiency and puts more strain on the engine.

• 6

  Keep your tires inflated to the dealer-specified levels. Underinflated tires cause more resistance and lower fuel economy.

• 7

  Maintain your vehicle. Make sure your engine, spark plugs, spark timing, fuel ratio, oil and filters are all in good shape. These things can reduce fuel economy when not working properly. FuelEconomy.gov states that larger issues such as replacing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve mileage by up to 40 percent. It also states that using the recommended grade motor oil can increase mileage by 1 to 2 percent.

• 8

  Combine errands so that your engine always starts "warm" rather than a "cold" start for each trip. "Cold" starts can double the fuel cost according to FuelEconomy.gov.

• 9

  Drive with the windows up and no luggage on top of the vehicle. When the windows are down or the luggage rack is in use, wind resistance is increased, lowering fuel efficiency.

• 10

  Replace certain parts of your vehicle that improve fuel efficiency such as the exhaust or air intake system.