Gas costs a lot, especially if you use your car all the time. There are things every car owner must consider to maximize their automotive budget, including fuel efficiency. Here are the top fuel-efficient driving techniques that will change your consumption levels.

Accelerate Slowly

Acceleration is prime time for your engine’s fuel injectors. They’re working hard to keep the fuel going into the engine as fast as you press the pedal. When you accelerate slowly, you actually save gas by lengthening the speed-up process.

Decelerate Over Long Distances

When decelerating, you don’t use fuel, but you do lose forward momentum. If you’re in stop-and-go traffic, coasting over long distances to decelerate will help you save this forward energy and keep your engine from working harder to regain lost speed.

Avoid High Speeds

Though it’s not always feasible, if you avoid high-speed areas, you’ll conserve gas. On fast roads and long highways, you spend a lot of gas accelerating to those speeds, and you’ll need more consistent spurts of fuel to keep up the pace. If you intentionally stay off the highway, you may add a few minutes of drive time but save a few ounces of fuel.

Use Efficient Car Features

Every car is different, but most have features that encourage fuel efficiency. In some newer models, you can find an “eco” or “hybrid” setting. Flip these on for a more conservative fuel consumption plan. You can also turn overdrive on or off, depending on the situation. Additionally, cruise control is a great way to minimize fuel-wasting acceleration by taking advantage of your automated system.

Knowing the top fuel-efficient driving techniques helps you make the most of the gas you have. Whether you prefer to live frugally or really need to maximize your gas output, take these tips and tricks to heart. If you notice your fuel efficiency worsening, it might be time to service your vehicle and figure out a better way forward.