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Let’s face it… gas prices are not ideal right now. 

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Prices seem to be staying up there for the near future with no clear decline in sight. You could hop on the EV trend but that might be ideal for your specific situation. So what are your options? 

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You could just mope and complain with your counterparts about how back in your day, gas cost less than three dollars a gallon, or you could take steps to make your vehicle perform better and consume less fuel! 

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You’re probably wondering what these steps are. Well, we’re here to tell you. We’re here to help our Brookings community spend less time at the gas pump and more time driving! Here are five tips to improve your gas mileage.

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1. Drive Smarter Not Harder

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This might sound a little strange and confusing but believe it or not, gas gets eaten up quicker when you slam on your accelerator and brakes. The solution to this problem is simple — accelerate and brake SLOWLY. 

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We know you want to get to your destination as fast as possible, but that is not the most efficient way for your vehicle to perform. Driving more sensible and not treating every commute like a Nascar race will in-turn lead to better gas savings!

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2. Develop Better Driving Habits

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This tip might take awhile for it to be a normal thing in your daily commutes, but developing more efficient driving habits will eventually less gas being expended. What are these driving habits? Glad you asked. 

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Pick Better Driving Routes

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Don’t pick the routes with a bunch of stop signs, construction zones, or intersections. Pick the commute that will keep your car MOVING. Starting and stopping your vehicle leads to more fuel being used. Plan your routes through GPS that way you are driving the most optimal route! 

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Don’t Let Your Vehicle Idle

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You might want to finish that last part of your favorite song before turning your engine off, but you’re wasting precious fuel that could lead to more miles on the road. 

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It might be nice to still have the heat or A/C going when you’re finishing up a call, but the car being idle eats up the mileage left in your gas tank. Try and limit your vehicle idling whether you are sitting in traffic or in your driveway. 

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Set Your Cruise Control (When Applicable)

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Like we said earlier, stopping and accelerating leads to more gas being used. If you are doing a longer road trip on the interstate, it’s best to have your cruise control set at the posted speed limit. This keeps your vehicle moving at a good pace, which leads to a better MPG.

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3. Fill Your Tank When It’s Cooler Outside

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Not to get super nerdy here, but gas is dispensed based on the volume of it. Filling your vehicle’s tank when it is the coolest outside — typically early in the morning or late at night — leads to the fuel being more dense. This means that you will get more fuel for the same amount of money, which gives you a bigger bang for your buck!

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4. Keep Your Car in Tip-Top Shape

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This may be common sense, but if you treat your vehicle right, it will perform better because of it. Doing routine maintenance on your vehicle will give better gas mileage in the long run. Here are some things you can do to keep your car performing optimally. 

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Keep Your Tires at the Right Air Pressure

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Tires that are underinflated give you terrible gas mileage. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy reported 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline are wasted each year on underinflated tires. Make sure to check your vehicle’s tire pressure every week to make sure they are properly inflated.

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Check Tire Alignment

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Tires that are not aligned means more drag which eventually leads to reduced MPG. Improper alignment leads to a 10{83951c3c923d19e44167f79798e64c4aae41df40e53a089bc0d08f070d69866f} decrease in a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Plus, misaligned tires tend to wear out quicker than aligned ones.

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Replace Bad Spark Plugs

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If you see a sudden drop in your vehicle’s gas mileage, it probably means it’s because of misfiring spark plugs. You can check those yourself or even get it serviced at a dealership like Einspahr Auto Plaza.

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5. Get Rid of that Extra Clutter

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Less weight in the vehicle means less stuff to move. It makes sense right? Get rid of that extra stuff you’ve been holding on to in the back seat and watch your vehicle’s gas mileage go up! Don’t believe us? A recent study showed that an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle drops its MPG by 1{83951c3c923d19e44167f79798e64c4aae41df40e53a089bc0d08f070d69866f}!

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Buy a More Fuel-Efficient Vehicle at Einspahr

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Another easy way to get better mileage is just getting a vehicle with better fuel economy. Check out our selection of vehicles with great MPG. We’re sure to have what you are looking for. If not, we can get your vehicle custom ordered to get the exact vehicle you want!

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Save at the Pump »

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