How to Save on Fuel Costs for Your Ford

Gas prices are no joke these days. Seemingly gone are the times when you could drive around leisurely without worrying about spending a fortune at the pump, which is especially true if you drive a large vehicle like a full-size SUV or a pickup truck. Now, more than ever, every gallon counts. Here are five tips to help you reduce fuel spending, brought to you by Ford of Homewood.

1. Make it a habit to check your tires

Most drivers only replace their tires when it’s gone flat. As long as your car is still running, what’s there to check, right? Wrong. While it may appear that tires have no bearing on fuel economy, in reality, they play a significant role in your vehicle’s performance. Larger tires, for example, are not only heavier but also have greater resistance, requiring more effort — and therefore more fuel — to get them rolling.

Another thing that can take a toll on your Ford’s fuel efficiency is inappropriate tire pressure. Tires with low air pressure also produce more resistance and demand more effort to get rolling, thus consuming more gas. Luckily for you, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System is fitted into most Fords. It features a sensor that measures temperature and pressure in your tires and delivers the information to your instrument cluster’s tire pressure monitor. However, if you want your car to get the most gas mileage possible, you should still check tire pressure with a manual gauge at least once a month.

If you want to do further checks on your tires to ensure they’re in good shape, bring your vehicle to Ford of Homewood’s service center, and we’ll have our team of experts do the rest for you.

2. Remove unnecessary cargo

Because most Fords are built with exceptional capability, it’s a bit tempting to tote around anything and everything you might need on a given day. However, the unfortunate truth is that adding weight to your vehicle makes it require more energy to accelerate, therefore reducing its fuel economy. So remove racks, carriers, cargo boxes, and other similar equipment from your Ford while not in use to lighten the load. Your engine — and wallet — will thank you for it.

3. Go easy on the throttle

Driving a performance-boosted Ford like the Edge ST or the F-150 Raptor calls for a little showing off, just at the appropriate times. Maintaining a constant speed is essential for fuel efficiency, and abruptly accelerating can wreak havoc on your Ford’s fuel economy. Instead, you should always let on the throttle gently and ease into your acceleration for the best use of your fuel. And, if it’s safe to do so, try to coast instead of using the brakes heavily to make the most out of the gas it took to get up to speed.

4. Switch off air conditioning and roll up the windows when possible

When we reach the heat of the summer, it’s easy to blast your Ford’s AC. And, when it’s nice out, highway cruising with the windows down is one of life’s simple pleasures. However, these practices can dramatically increase fuel usage. The AC compressor puts additional strain on the engine (making it work harder) and having the windows down at high speeds can dramatically increase drag (again making your engine work harder). When the weather is nice enough and you don’t need to drive at fast speeds, rolling down your windows instead of using your AC can save some precious fuel. Better yet, if you can keep comfortable with the fan on but the AC compressor off and windows up, you’ll find the best merger of comfort and efficiency. It may not seem like much, but minor changes like these can save you a lot of money on gas.

5. Bring your Ford in for maintenance regularly

You’re probably tired of people nagging you about having your car regularly brought for maintenance, but doing so can do wonders for your Ford’s fuel economy. Sludge and corrosion will build up between parts if the engine is not properly maintained, making it harder for your vehicle to run smoothly. Moreover, keeping your Ford in top shape extends in lifespan greatly. Just as your Ford is good to you, be good to your Ford and don’t skip your routine oil change and other car checkups. Schedule maintenance at Ford of Homewood today, where you can trust our expert mechanics to take great care of your Ford Vehicle.