Improving fuel efficiency is not just about the car you drive—it is also about how you drive. City and highway driving present different challenges and opportunities when it comes to maximizing your miles per gallon (MPG). Understanding the key differences and adjusting your driving habits accordingly can help you stretch every tank further.

City Driving: How to Maximize Fuel Efficiency

City driving often involves frequent stops, starts, and idling at traffic lights. These conditions naturally make fuel economy worse, but with a few adjustments, you can minimize the impact.

• Accelerate Smoothly: Rapid acceleration burns significantly more fuel. Gradual, steady acceleration helps reduce consumption.

• Brake Gently: Coasting to a stop rather than slamming on the brakes improves efficiency and reduces wear on your brake system.

• Minimize Idling: If you expect to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn off your engine when safe to do so. Idling wastes fuel unnecessarily.

• Plan Efficient Routes: Use apps like Google Maps or Waze to find routes with fewer stops, less congestion, and optimized traffic flow.

• Avoid Short Trips When Possible: Cold engines are less efficient. Combining errands into a single trip reduces the number of cold starts, saving fuel.

Highway Driving: How to Boost Your MPG

While highway driving typically offers better fuel economy than city driving, poor habits on the open road can still waste gas.

• Use Cruise Control: Maintaining a steady speed reduces the need for acceleration and deceleration, improving fuel efficiency.

• Stay Within Speed Limits: Fuel economy decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, each 5 mph driven over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.22 per gallon for gas.

• Minimize Excess Weight and Drag: Remove unnecessary items from your trunk and take off roof racks when not in use to reduce aerodynamic drag.

• Keep Windows Closed at High Speeds: At highway speeds, open windows increase drag and reduce fuel economy. Use air conditioning sparingly and set it to moderate levels if needed.

General Tips That Apply to Both City and Highway

• Maintain Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in pressure.

• Perform Regular Maintenance: Clean air filters, timely oil changes, and engine tune-ups all contribute to optimal fuel efficiency.

• Use Quality Fuel: Stick to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended octane level. Paying extra for premium gas when not needed does not improve MPG.

Bonus Tip: Save Even More with Cashback on Fuel Purchases

In addition to smart driving, saving money on gas starts at the pump. You can buy Shell gift cards or BP gift cards through Fluz and earn instant cashback, helping you lower your effective cost per gallon without changing your driving habits.

Drive Smart in Any Setting

By adjusting your techniques for city and highway driving, keeping your car well-maintained, and taking advantage of cashback opportunities with Fluz, you can drive more efficiently, spend less on gas, and reduce your environmental impact—all at the same time.