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With today's fuel prices, everyone is searching for ways to help cut down on gas expenses. Luckily, there are techniques to help reduce your Kia's fuel consumption. Your trusted Kia dealer in Frederick, MD, provides helpful tips on how to boost your gas mileage and save money. Tips for Everyday Drivers to Maximize Your Fuel Efficiency Maintain Your Car Properly It's a known fact that a maintained car tends to consume less fuel. Factors such as a dirty air filter, worn-out spark plugs, and underinflated tires can impact your Kia's gas usage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using the correct oil grade can help improve your car's mileage by up to 2%, while maintaining tire pressure can help improve fuel efficiency by an average of 0.6% and even up to 3% in certain cases. more Reduce Excess Weight Every additional 100 pounds of weight can lower your Kia's gas mileage by 1%. To save at the pump, remove any unnecessary items. Only use roof racks and cargo boxes when absolutely necessary. When you have cargo on the roof of your car, your fuel efficiency can decrease by 8% in city driving and up to 17% on the highway. Plan Your Trips in Advance Before heading out: Plan your route. Try to combine errands into one trip and choose the shortest route whenever possible. Keep in mind that shorter distances tend to consume more fuel than trips when the engine is already warmed up. Avoid roads with lots of traffic and frequent stops. Where possible, use highways where you can use cruise control to help reduce fuel consumption. Minimize Extended Periods of Idling Avoid idling for long periods. If you expect to stop for more than a minute (except in traffic), it's best to turn off your engine. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, allowing a car with a 3L engine to idle for ten minutes wastes over a cup of gas. Adopt Moderate Driving Habits To save on fuel, try driving slower and more carefully. Reduce your speed, accelerate gradually, and minimize hard braking. The fuel consumption rate tends to increase when driving speeds exceed 50 miles per hour. The U.S. Department of Energy states that driving attentively and obeying the speed limit can potentially improve fuel efficiency by 10% to 40% on city streets and up to 30% on highways. Be mindful of Your Air Conditioning Usage Using the air conditioning system can affect how much fuel your Kia consumes. Only use it when necessary. Instead, consider using the ventilation system and opening the windows for a breeze. Also, remember to close the sunroof, as it can help reduce fuel consumption. Follow these tips to save on gas expenses to help keep more money in your wallet. Call DARCARS Kia of Frederick today to schedule a maintenance appointment. Our certified Kia technicians will help ensure your vehicle stays reliable and fuel-efficient.