by Joe Symmes

Created on: August 10, 2011

Let's take my Suburban to save gas…

Sounds crazy right?  This may not be as far fetched as you think.  With a few simple tips, you can dramatically improve your gas mileage, even in large SUVs. 

First, you need to understand that driving style has the largest impact on a vehicle's efficiency.  While its easier to get great gas mileage from a small car, the largest percentage improvements can come from bigger vehicles.

Driving Tips

Don't waste trips - Obviously the less you drive, the longer each tank will last.  Use your SUV's cargo carrying capacity to your advantage and combine trips when possible.

Slow down - Obeying posted speed limits will not only keep you safer, but save gas along the way.  

Maintain momentum - Look 8-12 seconds down the road and try to anticipate slow downs or stops.  Again, this will keep you safer and will make a big difference in the mileage of a heavy vehicle.

Keep a steady speed - Similar to the momentum tip, keeping a constant speed will help avoid unnecessary accelerations.  Pay particular attention to changes in terrain so that you can slowly build momentum prior to inclines.  This will allow you to stay in a higher gear and avoid aggressive throttle modulations that waste fuel.     

Keep RPMs low - When possible, try to drive at speeds where your vehicle has just shifted into the next higher gear.  You can find this point by watching where the tachometer needle makes a big drop and note this speed.  This is the point where you are getting the maximum speed for minimum engine revolutions.  

Vehicle Tips

Tire pressure - Maintaining recommended tire pressure can make a significant difference in the vehicle's rolling resistance.  This tip is so important that recent government regulations have started requiring manufactures to come up with ways to help you monitor the pressure in your tires.  Again, this is one of those tips that will not only keep you safer by allowing you better vehicle control, but will also save you the cost of replacing prematurely worn-out tires.

Synthetic fluids - At your next service interval, try systematically replacing your vehicle's fluids with synthetics.  There will be an increased upfront cost however, the superior lubrication properties will increase engine / drive-train efficiency and reduce wear.

Chassis maintenance - Newer SUVs require less periodic maintenance on things like wheel bearings and

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