Driving Habits That Waste Gas (and How To Fix Them)

When gas prices jump, many drivers start looking for cheaper stations or fuel rewards programs. Those can help a little. But the biggest fuel savings often come from something much simpler: changing how you drive.

According to oil industry executive Chris Faulkner and longtime mechanic Chris Stevenson, everyday driving habits can quietly drain fuel. Small adjustments behind the wheel can improve gas mileage and stretch your fuel dollars further.

Here are some of the most common habits that waste gas and how to fix them.

1. Accelerating Too Quickly

Rapid acceleration sends more fuel into the engine than necessary. That “jackrabbit start” may get you moving faster, but it also burns more gas.

Fix it: Press the accelerator gently and build speed gradually. Smooth acceleration uses less fuel and is easier on your vehicle.

2. Driving Faster Than Necessary

Most vehicles are most fuel-efficient at moderate speeds. Once you push past highway speeds, fuel economy drops quickly.

Chris Faulkner notes that many cars lose noticeable efficiency at higher speeds. Driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph can improve mileage enough to add up over time.

Fix it: Drive the speed limit and avoid unnecessary speeding on the highway.

3. Constant Speeding Up and Slowing Down

Many drivers unintentionally waste fuel by repeatedly speeding up and braking, especially in traffic.

Chris Stevenson explains that maintaining a steady pace allows the engine to run more efficiently.

Fix it: Try to keep a consistent speed whenever possible. Look ahead in traffic and ease off the accelerator early, rather than braking suddenly.

4. Idling Too Long

Letting your car idle burns fuel while going nowhere. Many drivers do this while waiting in parking lots, warming up the car or sitting in traffic.

If you expect to be stopped for more than a minute, turning off the engine usually saves fuel. Many newer vehicles now do this automatically with stop-start systems.

5. Not Using Cruise Control on the Highway

Cruise control isn’t just convenient. It can also help maintain a steady speed.

According to Faulkner, cruise control systems often manage speed changes more smoothly than drivers do, especially on long highway drives.

Fix it: Use cruise control on relatively flat highways to help maintain a consistent speed.

6. Carrying Extra Weight in Your Car

Many vehicles slowly accumulate extra items in the trunk or back seat. Tools, sports equipment and other gear add weight that the engine must move every mile.

Faulkner notes that every extra 250 pounds in a vehicle can noticeably reduce fuel economy.

Fix it: Clean out the trunk and remove items you don’t regularly need in the car.

7. Driving With Windows Open at Highway Speeds

Open windows create additional drag when driving at highway speeds. That extra resistance forces the engine to work harder.

Fix it: Keep windows closed when traveling at higher speeds. At lower speeds in town, open windows may use less fuel than running the air conditioner.

8. Running the Air Conditioner More Than Necessary

Air conditioning places an additional load on the engine. Chris Stevenson points out that the compressor draws power from the engine, thereby increasing fuel consumption.

Fix it: Use air conditioning when needed for comfort, but turn it down or off when temperatures allow.