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Introduction

Fuel economy refers to how many miles per gallon of spent fuel your vehicle can drive. Commonly referred as MPG (miles per gallon) the more fuel efficient vehicles burn less fuel therefore increasing MPG rating.

When talking about the fuel economy many people think about the size of engine, proper maintenance of the internal combustion components etc. This process is cumulatively referred as a vehicle fuel efficiency and is only one part of the overall science of fuel economy.

Fuel Economy Explained

The fuel efficiency is one part of the fuel economy. Larger engines, 4x4 vehicles, etc. consume more fuel than smaller and compact vehicles. The electric and hybrid electric vehicles are most fuel efficient vehicles.

The size of engine is directly proportionate to the fuel consumption and vehicle fuel efficiency (MPG).

The maintenance of your vehicle also will affect the fuel efficiency of the vehicle regardless of the size or type of engine.

Small and inexpensive items such as air and fuel filter make big difference in how much fuel your vehicle will consume. By maintaining the air and fuel filter and doing regular oil changes you can easily cut down on fuel consumption by 10-15% or higher. Driving with underinflated tires or mismatched tires (different pattern or thread depth, etc.) will cause your vehicle to consume on average 5% more fuel than driving the same vehicle with properly inflated tires.

US Environmental Protection Agency came up with an excellent article everyone should read. It outlines the 4-point plan that can significantly save on fuel consumption of the vehicle. While some of those steps mean switching to more fuel efficient vehicle (does not work if you already own the vehicle and do not intend to trade it for more fuel efficient vehicle), the other three steps can be implemented by everyone regardless what vehicle you drive.

The address to the document is: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG /drive.shtml

Changing Your Driving Style

As discussed in the earlier referenced article published by EPA choosing more fuel efficient vehicle and properly maintaining your vehicle, are important elements in improving the fuel economy of your vehicle.

The second important component of the fuel economy improvement process has nothing to do with the vehicle and engine size but rather with the driver, driving pattern and the driving style of the driver.

- Sudden acceleration, deceleration, braking, erratic driving, driving to slow, speeding etc. will all decrease the fuel economy of your vehicle even if you drive the most fuel efficient model there is.

- Excessive idling will reduce the fuel economy of your vehicle. Idling vehicle will consume far more fuel than the properly driven vehicle.

- Poor planning. More miles you drive more fuel you will consume. Properly planning and combining your trips will save on the volume of fuel consumed. Carpooling and utilizing the public transportation will reduce the number of miles driven therefore reducing the volume of fuel spent.

Conclusion

As discussed the fuel economy improvement involves selecting more fuel efficient vehicle, following the recommended maintenance and repair schedule as well as changing your driving style and pattern.

Large and fuel inefficient vehicles, poorly maintained vehicles as well as bad drivers all reduce the fuel economy thereby consuming more fuel per mile travelled.

Improving fuel economy involves changing what we drive but also how we drive.

Learn more about this author, Ed Gray.
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