5 Habits That Make Your Car Consume More Fuel Without You Realizing

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Avoid these habits if you can—they’ll help save money and protect your engine!

Fuel costs are one of the biggest expenses for car owners. Many people feel like their car is “consuming too much fuel,” but don’t realize that their own driving habits might be the cause. In this article, Motorist will walk you through five common habits that unknowingly increase fuel consumption—and how you can change them to get the most out of every drop of fuel!

1. Accelerating Hard and Braking Frequently

Many drivers are used to hitting the gas pedal hard and slamming on the brakes just as aggressively. This kind of driving puts extra strain on the engine and burns more fuel.

How to fix it: Drive smoothly. Accelerate and brake gradually instead of suddenly, so your car uses energy more efficiently.

2. Running the Air Conditioner Too High

Your car’s air conditioner draws power directly from the engine. If you’re always blasting it at full power—even when it’s not needed—it’ll make the engine work harder and increase fuel consumption.

How to fix it: Set the AC to a moderate level. On cooler days, consider turning it off completely and using just the fan.

3. Carrying Excess Weight

A heavier car requires more energy to move. The more you load up your car with unnecessary items, the harder your engine has to work—and the more fuel it uses.

How to fix it: Remove anything you don’t need from the car, like bags, tools, or unused roof boxes.

4. Idling for Too Long

Some people leave their car running while waiting for someone or keep the engine on just to use the AC while parked. This wastes fuel for no good reason.

How to fix it: If you’re going to be stopped for more than 10 minutes, turn off the engine to save fuel and reduce wear on your engine.

5. Skipping Maintenance

A clogged air filter, old engine oil, or underinflated tires all reduce your car’s performance and increase fuel consumption.

How to fix it: Get your car checked regularly according to the recommended schedule. Change the oil, check your tire pressure, and replace worn-out parts as advised by a trusted mechanic.

Sometimes, saving fuel doesn’t mean getting a new car—it just means changing how you drive and taking care of the one you already have. Take a moment to reflect: are you guilty of any of these habits? If so, start making changes today for a more fuel-efficient ride!

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