In todays world, it pays to think about running your SUV in the most economic way possible. Both gas prices and the environment are issues that concern many people.  There are actually some fairly easy steps that you can take to improve gas mileage that can make a lot of difference. The first consideration is puchasing a fuel efficient vehicle in the first place. If you take the fuel efficiency into account before you buy, or if you buy a hybrid, this is going to go a long way. A fuel efficient SUV is not a dream, they are truly beginning to become more of a priority for manufacturers, but if you have an SUV, you should pay particular attention.

Sudden Starts and Stops

A key factor in fuel efficiency for SUV’s and any vehicle, is to drive smoothly without sudden spurts of speeding up or braking. You may have heard this tip before, but its good advice. Try to avoid screeching to a halt at the traffic lights and gradually increase speed when negotiating hills. Sitting idle in traffic uses fuel as well, so it’s better to minimize short, urban journeys. Always keep in the highest gear possible, as lower gears have to do more work to drive the car. When out on the highway, not going over the speed limit is the best advice on how to improve gas mileage. Keep it under 60mph if possible and your savings will go far.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Maintaining your SUV is just as important as choosing a fuel efficient one. Always choose the recommended motor oil for the type of vehicle if you do your own oil. If you take it to a place, they will put the correct oil in for you. Always keep the engine well tuned and take care of any emission problems straightaway. Keep an eye on the air filter as well, keeping it clean will slightly improve mileage. One of the easiest and most helpful things you can do to increase your SUV mileage is to always keep your tires inflated to the recommended psi.

Drag 

Attaching things to the outside of your SUV such as bikes and trailers will increase drag and decrease the efficiency of your vehicle. The weight that you carry also greatly effects the gas mileage. Many people who live in snow climates keep large cinder blocks and weights in the back. This is a good idea in the winter, but be sure to take the blocks out in the spring and summer months to increase mileage.

There are a number of other factors to consider when purchasing a fuel efficient SUV or improving the efficiency on a vehicle you already own. Air conditioning is a factor that affects fuel consumption, but so is keeping the windows rolled down, which is less safe and causes more drag. SUV’s dont have to be crazy gas guzzlers. Take the time to research fuel efficiency if you are planning on purchasing an SUV, and be sure to keep your SUV well maintained after you own it.