How to Improve Your Fuel Economy

Modern vehicles – especially Hondas – are extremely efficient. An onboard computer ensures the engine operates smoothly for maximum fuel economy. You can’t tweak the carburetor or ignition timing for better gas mileage, like you could on older cars. But there are some changes you can make. Following these fuel-saving tips will help make out a couple more MPGs.

Keep up on maintenance and repairs



Late model vehicles are a complex combination of electronics and mechanical parts. The engine’s computer, called the engine control module (ECM), decides how much fuel the engine gets. It makes this choice based on input from sensors throughout the vehicle. A sensor, or circuit that’s not functioning properly can throw the ECM’s fuel calculations out of whack, resulting in bad gas mileage. Any needed repairs (such as a check engine light) should be taken care of for maximum fuel efficiency. The same is true for maintenance. An engine must be well-tuned, or the ECM will struggle to provide smooth operation and good mileage.

Check tire pressure



Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, cutting down on gas mileage. On the other hand, overinflated tires reduce rolling resistance, but also cause a rough ride. The best strategy is to keep your vehicle’s tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. This information is usually found on the tire placard, located in the door jamb. Tire pressure should be checked a least once a month.

Shed some weight



Dragging around unnecessary items in your truck or cargo area can hurt fuel mileage. If you’re carrying around a ton of stuff you never use (no, we’re not talking about the jack and spare tire) – get rid of it! Your fuel economy will improve and you’ll actually have room for the groceries next time you go shopping.