With gas prices at record highs, we’re all experiencing sticker shock at the pump. It even costs about $60 to fill up a compact car with a 12-gallon tank. Condolences to the wallets of people who drive trucks and SUVs or who live in California, where a gallon of gas costs an average of $6.43 as of June 2022.

Drivers can do a few things to help ease the financial strain. Consider trying these gas mileage tips from the U.S. Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov website:

Drive Sensibly

Speeding and quick acceleration make your vehicle and gas go quicker. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage between 15% to 30% on the highway and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. It’s also more dangerous, and you’re more likely to get a traffic ticket. No need to drive like Mario with Bowzer on his tail.

Use devices

Average drivers can improve their fuel economy by about 3% using driver feedback devices, a study revealed. That increases to 10% savings for drivers who are using the devices to improve gas mileage. If you feel the need for speed, go watch the new “Top Gun” movie.

Observe the Speed Limit

Every vehicle has a different optimal fuel economy level, but the Department of Energy notes that speeds above 50 mph are usually when gas mileage starts to take a hit. The rule of thumb: Each 5 mph over 50 mph costs you an additional $0.32 per gallon.

Avoid Roof Cargo

It’s a drag, but you’ll pay a premium for hauling around roof-top cargo boxes, whether they’re empty or full. The boxes take a 2% to 8% toll on fuel economy in the city, between 6% and 17% on the highway and from 10% to 25% maintaining freeway speeds of 65 mph to 75 mph. Even bikes on the roof decrease fuel efficiency.

If you absolutely need the extra cargo space, put your boxes or trays behind the vehicle. You’ll still lose some aerodynamic advantages — between 1% to 5% on the highway — but not nearly as much as the roof storage.

Remove Excess Weight

No, we’re not telling you to go on a diet. Or to toss out passengers. But be mindful of what kind of junk is in your trunk — or elsewhere. Every extra 100 pounds your vehicle carries has the potential of making your MPG drop by about 1%. Smaller vehicles are affected more than larger ones.

Don’t Idle

Even though you’re going nowhere, just having your vehicle running can use between one quarter to a half-gallon of gas in an hour. It’s good practice to turn off the engine when the vehicle is parked. You can even save money on gas by turning your car off in drive-thru lanes, depending on how fast or slow the service is. You’ll improve fuel economy if you turn off the engine and restart it instead of idling for more than 10 seconds. Some cities have an IdleBox Toolkit that helps with idle reduction.

Other quick tips to save fuel include using cruise control, keeping tires inflated to recommended air pressure levels, combining trips and keeping vehicles properly maintained.

Of course, there’s also the option of buying a vehicle with improved fuel efficiency. If you have any questions about hybrids or electric vehicles, please come visit us at the lot or give us a call at (801) 753-9063. We’d love to help you make the best choice for your situation.