When gasoline or diesel prices swing, the most reliable way to limit what you spend is to use fewer gallons. Drive smoothly, avoid unnecessary idling and excess speed, keep the vehicle maintained, and reduce or combine trips where practical. The size of any savings depends on your vehicle, route, traffic, and driving habits; none of these steps guarantees a fixed dollar reduction.
Change driving habits that waste fuel
Accelerate and brake smoothly
Rapid acceleration and hard braking waste momentum. Look ahead, leave enough following distance to anticipate traffic, and ease into acceleration and deceleration rather than repeatedly speeding up and braking. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates aggressive driving can lower mileage by roughly 15%–30% at highway speeds and 10%–40% in stop-and-go traffic; these are broad estimates, not a promise of savings for a particular driver or vehicle. DOE fuel-economy driving tips.
Keep speed appropriate and steady
Fuel economy generally drops quickly above 50 mph, though each vehicle has its own efficient speed range. A DOE summary of an Oak Ridge National Laboratory study of 74 light-duty vehicles (model years 2003–2012) found that fuel economy at 80 mph was about 27% lower than at 60 mph. That study result is not a forecast for every current vehicle, and it is not a reason to drive below a safe or legal speed: follow posted limits and adjust for road and weather conditions. DOE summary of the 80-mph versus 60-mph study.
On a suitable highway, cruise control can help maintain a steady speed. Do not use it when traffic, hills, weather, or road conditions make direct speed control the safer choice. DOE driving guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with most gasoline ODBII equipped vehicles from 1996 to present
- Includes 5ft. Wiring Harness with 1 wire installation which easily plugs into OBDII port
- Displays RPM, Speed, Instant MPG, and Average MPG.
- Installs in minutes!
- Ecometer's ecograph helps you improve your driving habits to increase your fuel efficiency and reduce your fuel costs.
Stop paying for avoidable idling
An idling vehicle can use about one-quarter to one-half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air-conditioning use, according to DOE. For a personal vehicle, DOE’s Alternative Fuels Data Center advises turning off the engine when parked or stopped for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic. Apply that guidance only where stopping and restarting is safe and appropriate; do not shut down in traffic or where the vehicle’s systems or circumstances require the engine to run. DOE idling estimate; AFDC light-duty vehicle idle-reduction strategies.
AFDC attributes an estimate of more than 6 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel lost annually to idling across U.S. road vehicles to Argonne National Laboratory. That figure covers the national fleet, including passenger and heavy vehicles; it does not estimate what one driver can save. AFDC idle-reduction strategies.
Rank #2
- Programmable 3-In-1 Automotive Trip Computer: Diagnostic Scan Tool, And Up To 37 Digital Gauges In One (Vehicle Dependent)
- Real-Time Monitoring Capabilities: Watch Fuel Consumption, Cost-Per-Mile, Coolant Temperature, Engine Speed, Horsepower, And Much More In Real Time. Simple 5-button operation allows you to quickly and easily access the powerful features of the ScanGauge
- Wide Vehicle Compatibility: Works On All 1996 Or Newer Obd2 Cars, Including Gas, Diesel, Propane And Hybrid Vehicles with 16pin OBD2 port
- Diagnostic Trouble Code Functions: Checks For Diagnostic Trouble Codes (Dtcs), Clears The Codes, And Can Turn Off The Check Engine Light
- Simple Power Connection: No Batteries Required - The single connection to the diagnostic connector under the dashboard is all that is needed
Maintain the vehicle and check tire pressure
Use the manufacturer’s tire-pressure recommendation
Check the recommended pressure on the driver-side placard, a glove-box label where applicable, or in the owner’s manual. Check when tires are cold if the vehicle manual specifies that procedure. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall as the vehicle’s recommended setting. DOE reports properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by an average of 0.6% and by as much as 3% in some cases; actual results vary. A pressure gauge can help you check inflation, but buying one does not itself save fuel. DOE vehicle maintenance guidance.
Address faults and follow service specifications
Vehicle condition affects fuel economy. A serious fault, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce mileage, so follow diagnostic advice and repair confirmed problems rather than replacing parts speculatively. Use the motor-oil grade specified by the vehicle maker: AFDC says the recommended grade can improve fuel economy by 1%–2%. Do not choose a different viscosity or specialty oil unless the owner’s manual calls for it. DOE maintenance guidance; AFDC efficient-driving guidance.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Plug and Play: This automotive gauge is easy to install, requiring no complicated wiring or professional installation; it connects directly to the vehicle's system.
- Fuel Economy Monitoring: Designed to help track and optimize fuel consumption, allowing drivers to monitor vehicle efficiency and potentially reduce fuel costs.
- Portable Design: This compact and lightweight gauge can be easily moved between different vehicles or removed when not needed. This fuel economy monitor can easily fit into your armrest box.
- Universal Compatibility: Suitable for vehicles using gasoline, diesel, water, and lubricants, making it suitable for a wide range of automotive applications.
Remove unneeded weight and roof cargo
Take out heavy items you do not need to carry. When practical, remove roof cargo or racks that are not in use: roof loads can increase aerodynamic drag, especially at higher speeds. The effect depends on the vehicle, speed, and the cargo’s shape and placement. AFDC efficient-driving guidance.
Use fewer miles when a practical alternative exists
Reducing the number of trips or miles driven cuts fuel use without changing the vehicle. Choose options that fit your location, schedule, accessibility needs, safety, and trip purpose:
- Combine errands into one route instead of making separate trips.
- Shift a commute time to avoid heavy congestion if your work schedule allows.
- Carpool, use transit, or telecommute where those options are available and workable.
- Walk or cycle for short trips when the route and conditions are safe.
These are options rather than universal prescriptions; local transit, work rules, distance, and personal needs determine what is practical. DOE fuel-saving driving tips.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Decide whether a vehicle change makes sense
A more fuel-efficient vehicle, hybrid, or electric vehicle can reduce reliance on gasoline, but replacing a vehicle is a major financial decision—not a guaranteed way to come out ahead. Compare purchase cost, how much and where you drive, fuel or electricity costs, charging or fueling access, and the vehicle’s ability to meet your needs. DOE recommends researching vehicle choices, but whether a change pays off depends on the individual circumstances. AFDC efficient-driving guidance.
Best Value
- Plug and Play: This automotive gauge is easy to install, requiring no complicated wiring or professional installation; it connects directly to the vehicle's system.
- Fuel Economy Monitoring: Designed to help track and optimize fuel consumption, allowing drivers to monitor vehicle efficiency and potentially reduce fuel costs.
- Portable Design: This compact and lightweight gauge can be easily moved between different vehicles or removed when not needed. This fuel economy monitor can easily fit into your armrest box.
- Universal Compatibility: Suitable for vehicles using gasoline, diesel, water, and lubricants, making it suitable for a wide range of automotive applications.
Make a plan that matches your situation
Start with steps that are easy to sustain and do not require a vehicle purchase. If most of your driving is in congestion, smoother acceleration and avoiding unnecessary idling may be especially relevant. For regular highway driving, moderate speed, steady driving when conditions permit, and removing roof cargo are useful areas to examine. If you can replace or combine trips, that reduces the miles for which you need fuel. Judge progress by your own fuel use over comparable trips rather than translating an estimate into a guaranteed cash saving: fuel economy and pump prices both vary, and no current fuel-price figure is used here.
DOE also summarizes a 2018 UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies result showing a 6.6% average fuel-economy improvement from in-vehicle feedback interventions. That finding concerns those feedback interventions; it should not be treated as a general guarantee for every driver or device. AFDC efficient-driving guidance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
