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Fuel Economy Tips: How to Save Money at the Pump
August 1, 2026 6 min readBy T&H Tire And Auto Service
Gas prices add up fast. Here are practical ways to improve your fuel economy and reduce what you spend on fuel every month.
Keep your tires properly inflated
Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy by up to 3%. Check your tire pressure monthly and keep them at the manufacturer-recommended PSI (found on your driver door sticker). Properly inflated tires also last longer and are safer, so this is a win-win.
Regular maintenance improves efficiency
A clogged air filter, dirty oil, or worn spark plugs all reduce fuel economy. Staying on top of maintenance — oil changes, air filter replacement, and spark plug service — keeps your engine running efficiently and saves you money at the pump.
Reduce excess weight
Every extra pound your engine has to move reduces fuel economy. Remove unnecessary items from your trunk, roof rack, and cargo area. If you do not need that roof rack, take it off — the aerodynamic improvement alone can improve fuel economy by 1-2%.
Drive smoothly and avoid aggressive habits
Hard acceleration, rapid braking, and speeding all waste fuel. Smooth, steady acceleration and gentle braking improve fuel economy by 15-30%. Driving at steady speeds on the highway (55-60 mph instead of 70+ mph) also saves fuel significantly.
Use cruise control on the highway
Cruise control maintains a steady speed, which is more fuel-efficient than constantly adjusting your speed. On long highway drives, cruise control can improve fuel economy by 5-10%.
Avoid idling
Idling burns fuel without moving your vehicle. If you are stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off the engine. Modern engines use less fuel restarting than they do idling, so do not worry about fuel wasted on starting.
Plan your trips efficiently
Combining multiple errands into one trip is more fuel-efficient than making several separate trips. A cold engine uses more fuel, so combining trips means your engine reaches operating temperature faster and uses fuel more efficiently.
Check your fuel economy
Monitor your fuel economy by tracking miles driven and fuel purchased. If your fuel economy drops suddenly, it may indicate a maintenance issue like a clogged filter or worn spark plugs. Stop by T&H Tire And Auto Service and we will diagnose the problem.
Need this looked at in person?
Our team offers free inspections at 3602 Old Hickory Blvd.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions our technicians hear about cost savings.
Every 1 PSI drop in tire pressure reduces fuel economy by about 0.2%. If all four tires are 5 PSI low, that is roughly a 4% reduction. Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the easiest ways to save money on gas.
Still have a question? Contact our team or give us a call and we will walk you through it.
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