Options for fuel efficiency

A number of inexpensive options can help you reduce fuel consumption:

Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by 20 percent in city driving because of the extra load placed on the engine. A good ventilation system reduces the need to drive with the air conditioning on or the windows open. Open windows or sunroofs can be a fuel-saving alternative to air conditioning at low, city speeds, but they increase aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption on the highway. Some sunroof designs have a tilt function that boosts ventilation and has little effect on the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
In city driving, an open sunroof can help replace the air inside the car as you drive, thereby reducing the need to use the air conditioner. But be careful: at highway speeds, an open sunroof increases aerodynamic drag, which in turn increases fuel consumption.
Tinted glass, which blocks some of the sun’s heat from entering the vehicle through its windows, can also reduce the need for air conditioning and help you save fuel. Tinted glass can be installed on any vehicle, new or used.

A block heater can significantly improve fuel economy and reduce harmful exhaust emissions. It heats the engine block and helps the vehicle start in cold temperatures. By enabling you to start a semi-warm engine, it can improve overall winter fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. It can also help warm up the vehicle’s interior more quickly.
Aluminum wheels reduce weight and improve fuel economy.
Heavy-duty suspension systems improve handling and are stronger and longer-lasting than standard suspension systems. The extra weight, cost and fuel consumption are nominal.
Cruise control can help most drivers save fuel on the open road by keeping speed constant and preventing inadvertent speeding.
If you are purchasing a manual transmission, it might be a good idea to install atachometer, which indicates engine speed. It can help you shift the transmission at the most fuel-efficient engine speeds. In some cars, a shift indicator lightperforms a similar function.
A roof rack – loaded or empty – can increase fuel consumption by increasing aerodynamic drag. In the case of permanent, factory-installed units, the drag may be minimal but it’s always there. Removable roof racks may be a better option, since they cause more drag only when they’re installed. Using a removable roof rack, you might also find that you can get by with a smaller car.
Some vehicles can be purchased with trip computers or navigation systems. Although trip computers don’t directly affect fuel economy, they can show you how much fuel you are using and challenge you to do better. Navigation systems can save fuel by showing you the most direct route from point A to point B.