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Check your driving habits
Erratic and irresponsible driving chews through gas at a phenomenal rate. Poor driving practices can lower your mileage by up to a third. Aggressive practices include speeding, heavy braking, rapid acceleration, and “jackrabbiting.”
Avoid extended idling
In some countries, when you come upon a red traffic light, you must stop your engine and there’s good logic behind this requirement. Millions of gallons of gas is burned annually waiting for traffic lights. If you have a reliable vehicle, don’t let your car idle for more than 30 seconds—switch it off. Around town this can save you a substantial amount of fuel over the year, not to mention a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Tune the engine properly:
Tuning is a separate process to basic servicing and usually consists of adjustment to idling speed, fuel/air mixture, carburetor balance or injector maintenance, spark plug and distributor gap setting, and ignition timing. While having your car tuned can cost a little, you can recoup those costs and then some by having a more efficient running engine.
Change air filters
A clean air filter can save you up to 15 percent in gas usage. Old or worn filters allow dirt into the engine, which not only impacts the amount of fuel you use but can also cause other engine faults that are expensive to repair.
Keep tires properly inflated
Poorly inflated tires cause drag that negatively impacts fuel economy, safety, and also wear on the tire itself. I’ve seen all sorts of varying figures as to how much you can save through proper inflation, but the point is that tires should be inflated to at least the manufacturer’s specifications. Often, over-inflating tires can provide even better economy, but check with your mechanic or tire dealer before doing so as this can present some safety and tire wear issues if too much air is added.
Use quality motor oil
Oil in an engine is all about reducing friction. Less friction also means less gas being used. Using the wrong grade of motor oil in your engine can cause overheating and wear problems, plus knock a couple of percentage points off your fuel economy.
Avoid excessive short trips
Try to plan out your day so that you’ll need to use the car as little as possible. Making lists before you head out on shopping expeditions can save you added trips throughout the week.
Engines use more fuel when they are cold, and most short trips you make will be run purely in “cold” mode. Fuel tends not to be burned efficiently, which also results in more toxic/greenhouse emissions that are harmful to our environment. Short trips also create more wear and tear on your engine.
Use the correct fuel octane level
The octane rating of gasoline is the measure of how much fuel can be compressed before it ignites, rather than it being ignited by spark. Using the incorrect octane level fuel in your vehicle can negatively affect fuel economy and the engine itself. Check with your car manufacturer or mechanic as to what is the best octane level for your car.
Check how long to warm up the engine
I was always taught that older vehicles must be warmed up for a couple of minutes before driving off, but it appears this is a myth. A 30–45 second maximum warm-up time is the figure I’ve seen recommended. Again, check with your mechanic.
Check the automatic choke
Automatic chokes have a terrible habit of sticking after an engine has warmed up, causing poor burning of fuel. You’ll usually be able to tell if your choke is still on as the car will be idling faster after it has reached the usual running temperature, or you can smell exhaust in the car. Usually a tap on the gas pedal will unstick it, but it’s a point that should be raised with your mechanic on the next servicing.
Use the right gear
Staying in the upper rev range in each gear for extended periods can consume massive amounts of gasoline.
Reduce open windows and external items: When you are traveling on the highway, open windows can cause a substantial amount of drag. The car has to work harder to sustain the same speed. The same applies in situations where you are pulling a trailer or have items on a roof rack.
Accelerate before hills
If you are coming to a hill, it’s best to accelerate before it, rather than while on it.
Avoid rough roads
Gravel and unsealed roads play havoc with fuel economy and are also far less safe than tarred roads. Avoid them where you can.
Use accessories wisely
If it’s powered by electricity, it will impact your gas usage. This includes air conditioners, heaters, stereos, headlights, power seats, and so on.
Consider hypermiling
Hypermiling includes some of the more “extreme” ways to squeeze more miles per gallon. A hypermiling method I learned was from a fellow named Hans in rural Australia. He was originally from Germany, and during the war years, gasoline was scarce, so they had to make each drop count.
Flowing these small tips you can save considerable amount of money.