Ford Senior Master Technician Jim Twitchell shares his tips for boosting your MPG on that summer family road trip—or just on your way to work.
1
DON’T SPRINT FROM THE STOPLIGHT. “You have a large mass sitting there with no momentum. It takes a significant amount of gas to get up to speed if you slam the pedal and don’t allow for a slow momentum buildup. Aim for smooth acceleration.”
2
DUMP THE EXTRA WEIGHT. “Some people carry so much extra stuff in their trunk, it’s the weight equivalent of pulling a small trailer. That takes a lot of extra gas, and it causes unnecessary wear and tear on your brakes.”
3
CHECK YOUR TIRES. “As you deflate a tire, you have more friction on the road. That causes rolling resistance—requiring more gas. Some people think overinflating their tires will save on gas, but this actually causes the tire to wear prematurely and will reduce the contact your vehicle has with the road. Always follow Ford’s specifications for your car regarding tire pressure.”
4
TURN IT OFF. “Unnecessary idling wastes gas. If you’re in the school zone, for instance, don’t let the car idle. And if you’re running the air conditioner or heater while idling, the car is using even more gas.”
5
SEE YOUR DEALER. “With the Works™ Fuel Saver Package, you’ll get a synthetic-blend oil and filter change using the correct grade, tires rotated and air pressure checked, brakes inspected and more. All of it helps to maximize your car’s fuel economy potential.”