Keep your car well-tuned.

Simple regular maintenance, such as oil change, air and oil filter replacement and spark plug change, not just lengthen the life of your vehicle, but also minimize emissions and improve fuel economy. Just follow these tasks’ schedules in the manual.

Ensure your tires are properly aligned and inflated all the time.

If your tires are properly aligned and inflated, the amount of drag your car’s engine must overcome while you are driving is reduced. Better yet, you can opt for low-rolling resistance tires that reduce drag by up to 10 percent, improving your gas mileage. If you have just bought a new vehicle, you do not need to worry, as these are already built in.

Be always conscious of weight.

Avoid carrying around items that you don’t need. Remember that for every 45 kilos of weight in your car, its fuel economy decreases by 1 to 2 percent. You can also reduce drag by placing bulky items inside your car or trunk, instead of on its roof rack.

Drive moderately.

A go signal does not mean the start of a race. Put in mind that jack-rabbit starts and high-speed driving can increase both fuel consumption and emissions. Going 65 mph on the highway, instead of 75, can save you fuel of up to 20 percent, and making more gradual stops and starts can even bring more savings.

Aside from these tips, you should also advocate for better transportation policies. By doing so, and with some private sector innovations, cars and driving can be more fuel-efficient.

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#1. Nissan Altima

At first glance, the Nissan Altima might seem like a great car. After all, its roomy interiors give you plenty of space to carry several passengers and/or luggages. Its excellent fuel economy also lets you save more money and become more environmentally friendly.

However, experts have found out that the Altima actually isn’t a good choice. For example, a study conducted by Consumer Reports (which measured predicted reliability, road test scores, and cost of ownership) showed that among mid-sized sedans, the Altima was the only one that ranked below average. This means that you can get better value for money if you opt for other makes and models in the same car class.

#2. Scion iQ

The Scion IQ is applauded for its excellent vehicle packaging and its ability to fit in tight parking spots. However, it gets low ratings when it comes to car safety. Sure, it has plenty of air bags, but these aren’t the only factors to consider. The Scion IQ lacks the weight, stability, sturdiness and accelerating ability that’s needed to stay safe while navigating highways and taking long road trips.

#3. Smart Fortwo

Looking for a great subcompact car? The Smart Fortwo isn’t the right option for you. It doesn’t come with the basics like a radio, air conditioning and power steering (you’ll have to pay more to get them), and it lacks the power to be fast enough for the highway. It does have low fuel consumption but, since you’ll need to use premium fuel, you won’t get to enjoy substantial savings. These are just some of the not-so-great vehicles that are available on the market. Learn more about these makes and models so you can stay away from them when shopping for a new car.

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