Why Your Auto May Use More Fuel Than It Should
And the price of gas just keeps rising — your wallet a little bit emptier with every fill-up. If you drive an automatic, you probably assume there’s nothing in the way of saving fuel. That’s where most drivers miss the mark.
Automatic transmissions are convenient, but when they’re not driven well they can guzzle gas at a faster rate than manual cars. The good news? Small tweaks in how you drive can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
This article uncovers eight tested and true methods that are designed specifically for automatic-equipped cars. These are not hard tricks that you need to know how a piston works in order to comprehend them. They are straightforward habits anyone can begin adopting today.
With that, let’s delve into ways to put more money in your pocket and less gas in your tank.
1. Learn to Accelerate as Smoothly as Possible
Your right foot determines what kind of mileage you get more than anything else. Your style of pressing the gas pedal can have a huge impact on consumption.
Why Zooming To A Red Light Wastes Gas
You punch the gas, and it downshifts to a lower gear, courtesy of your automatic transmission. This injects more fuel into the engine in order to generate power rapidly. Your car feels sporty, but your fuel economy is now in the tank.
Research has proven that aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
The Right Way to Accelerate
Imagine that you are about to squish an egg with your foot, on the gas pedal. Press it gently and gradually. This method is used by your transmission to upshift gears without requiring you to burn more fuel.
This is what smooth acceleration looks like:
- Depress the pedal slowly for about 5 to 6 seconds
- Notice your RPM gauge not go over 2,500 RPM
- Hear how the transmission transitions smoothly from gear to gear
- Hear your car gaining speed smoothly rather than with jerky lurches
Real-Life Benefits: Drivers who convert to gentle acceleration save 10-15% of fuel in one month!
2. Use Cruise Control on Highways
Your foot is not as stable as you think it is. Even tiny fluctuations in pressure can produce speed changes that burn fuel.
How Cruise Control Saves Gas
Nowadays cruise-control systems manage speed with uncanny accuracy. They’re tiny throttle inputs to help keep your car moving along efficiently.
When you manually control speed, you tend to unintentionally get faster and slower. Every burst of acceleration sips extra fuel, especially in an automatic car in which the transmission does a lot of adjusting.
Best Practices for Cruise Control
- Turn it on flat, straight roads
- Pace yourself based at or around the limit
- Shut it down in heavy traffic, or on a hilly road
- It is not intended for use on wet or icy surfaces
Pro Tip: Some modern vehicles have adaptive cruise control, which slows down or speeds up based on traffic. This can save 7% fuel compared to normal driving.
3. Coast to Stops Instead of Hard Brakes
Whenever you brake, you waste some of the energy you paid for at the pump. Savvy drivers reduce braking by using a bit of forethought.
The Coasting Technique
When you spot a red light or stop sign in the distance, take your foot off of the gas pedal sooner. Use the car’s resistance to slow you down. Your automatic gearbox will assist by also kicking down slowly.
This approach does three things:
- Helps alleviate brake wear and maintenance costs
- Reduces fuel consumption as the engine only consumes a little gas when coasting
- Helps you to get smooth and comfortable driving
Reading Traffic for Maximum Coasting
Anticipate when driving 10-12 seconds down the road. Watch for:
- Traffic-light sequences (learn their timing on your regular routes)
- Brake lights on cars ahead
- Stop signs and intersections
- Cars slowing to turn
Fuel Economy: Coasting to stops can increase city fuel consumption between 5-10% over late braking.
4. Keep Your Automatic Transmission in Excellent State with the Proper Maintenance
Your transmission is working harder than you think. It has to change gears hundreds of times each time it goes from one place to another and with a little attention, it will run well.
How Transmission Health Impacts Fuel Economy
A well-cared for automatic transmission shifts at points the way it should. This ensures your engine is in its most efficient RPM range. Contaminated or low transmission fluid results in sticking shifts and increased fuel consumption.
Essential Transmission Maintenance
| Task | Frequency | Effect on Fuel Consumption |
|---|---|---|
| Check transmission fluid level | Every oil change | 2-3% improvement |
| Replace transmission fluid | 30,000-60,000 miles | 3-5% improvement |
| Replace transmission filter | Fluid replacement | 1-2% improvement |
| Inspect for leaks | During every service visit | Prevents major losses |
Signs Your Transmission Needs Attention
- Delayed shifting between gears
- Rough or jerky gear changes
- Smell of something burning under the hood
- Dark or dirty transmission fluid
Save Money: Regular transmission service cost $150-300 but prevents $2,000+ repairs and maintains fuel economy.
5. Optimize Your Tire Pressure Weekly
Your tires are the only thing between you and the road. Their pressure has a significant impact on the amount of energy your car needs to push forward.
The Truth About Tire Pressure and Gas Mileage
Tires that are not inflated enough cause more rolling resistance. Your engine has to exert more energy to beat that resistance, burning additional gas in the process.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) states that the correct tire pressure can boost gas mileage by as much as 3 percent. That may not sound like much, but it adds up to a lot of real savings.
How to Keep Your Tires at the Right Pressure
- Measure pressure when tires are cool (before driving or at least 3 hours after driving)
- Look up your recommended PSI in the driver’s door jamb or in your owner’s manual
- Over-inflate the tires 2-3 PSI over the recommended highway pressure
- Check all four tires as well as the spare, once a week
Temperature Effects on Tire Pressure
Tire pressure will decrease approximately 1 PSI for every ten-degree reduction in temperature. This means winter months typically are in need of multiple checks.
Quick Math: Assuming gas is currently $3.50 a gallon, you drive 12,000 miles per year on tires rated at 25 MPG, the amount saved per year due to proper tire pressure is around $50.
6. Reduce Weight and Take Off the Roof Racks
Every time your car accelerates, its engine has to beat inertia. More weight means more energy, which means more fuel burned.
Extra Weight and Automatic Cars
Automatic transmissions in particular, put a lot of weight into perspective. Added weight makes the transmission downshift more frequently and remain in lower gears longer. That keeps the engine in high RPMs, where more fuel is consumed.
Research indicates that a hypothetical extra 100 pounds in weight knocks about 1% off fuel economy in most cars, while a car’s mileage can suffer as much as 2% if kitted out with heavy accessories.
What to Take OUT of Your Car Today
- Golf clubs or other sports equipment you no longer use
- Any tools and supplies that don’t require daily transportation
- Not-in-use car seats (which can weigh 20 to 30 pounds apiece)
- Old files, books and junk in the trunk
- Unused roof racks and cargo boxes
The Roof Rack Problem
A naked roof rack generates some aerodynamic drag. When driving at highway speeds, this drag slows you down and does more than reduce fuel economy by 5 percent. Take the rack off when you’re not carrying cargo.
Real Life Example: A driver unloaded 150 pounds of unnecessary objects along with an unused roof rack in their SUV. Their gas mileage increased from 22.5 MPG to 24.1 MPG in one month.
7. Strategize Routing and Consolidate Errands
Cold starts waste fuel. For the first few minutes your engine runs rich, getting extra gas dumped in it. You burn many times more gas with numerous short trips than one long trip covering the same mileage.
The Cold Start Penalty
When your engine is cold:
- Fuel doesn’t vaporize efficiently
- The choke adds more fuel for you
- Transmission fluid is thick and creates resistance
- For the first mile, your car can consume 50% more fuel
Smart Trip Planning Strategies
Group your errands by location:
- Write a list of what you want to see in advance
- Visit the most distant place while the engine is still warming up
- Work your way back home, stopping along the route
- Save quick errands for when you’re already out
Timing matters:
- Complete errands in the off-peak hours to evade traffic
- Combine your commute with necessary stops
- Don’t start the car until everything is ready
Use GPS tools:
- Check real-time traffic before leaving
- Opt for routes with fewer stops and where traffic flows better
- Avoid construction zones that cause idling
| Trip Pattern | Distance Driven | MPG |
|---|---|---|
| 5 different trips of 2 miles each | 10 miles | 15-18 |
| 1 trip that visits same five destinations | 10 miles | 22-25 |
Weekly Savings: Consolidating trips can save 2-3 gallons a week for active families, or about $7-$10 in gas spending.
8. Use Your Air Conditioning Wisely
Air conditioning puts a heavy burden on your engine, particularly in an automatic where the transmission is constantly changing gear to keep everything moving.
AC Vs. Open Windows: The Truth
This debate has confounded drivers for decades. The correct answer is sensitive to your speed:
Below 40 mph: The drag created when you drive with the windows down is less than if you used the AC instead. Roll those down and turn off the AC.
Above 40 mph: Open windows would generate severe aerodynamic drag. Turn the AC on with the windows closed for maximum fuel savings.
Smart AC Management Techniques
Start cool:
- Park in shade when possible
- Use sunshades on the windshield
- Air out the hot air by opening up windows before turning on your AC
- Drive at the start of first minute with windows open
Efficient cooling:
- Set the thermostat to remain at 72-74°F above maximum cold temperature
- When the car is cool, use the recirculation setting
- Shut off AC 2-3 minutes prior to destination
- Run the fan on non-AC days when it’s cool enough outside
Modern AC systems:
- Quite a few new car designs utilize variable-speed A/C compressors
- Their function is to modulate the cooling power according to the required need
- Up to 20-30% less energy is used by today’s more efficient systems
The Real Cost of AC
In city driving, using your air conditioning nonstop can decrease gas mileage by 10-20 percent and on highways at least 3-5%. For daily users of the AC, that equates to an extra $150-300 in fuel costs per year.
Compromise Solution: Use AC for your comfort but try to stay aware. Set it to a comfortable rather than freezing temperature, and turn it off when you’re not using it.
Additional Quick Tips That Add Up
Beyond the eight primary strategies, these additional little habits can also lead to better fuel economy in automatic cars. For more comprehensive fuel-saving driving techniques, explore additional resources that can help you maximize efficiency.
Warm-Up Time
Cars these days don’t require much of a warm-up. Turn on the engine and drive easily for a few minutes. Idling longer burns fuel and doesn’t speed the engine warm-up.
Gear Selection
If your automatic has a manual mode, the trick is to go up through the gears early while cruising at constant speed. Never engage these features if you are not sure, as incorrect operation can harm the transmission.
Engine Start-Stop
Many modern automatics come with engine start-stop technology that cuts the engine at red lights. Never deactivate this feature, only when the surrounding circumstances demand so. It usually saves 3-5% city fuel.
Speed Management
Each car has a peak speed for fuel economy, typically between 45 and 65 mph. Efficiency is lessened by 15-20% if you drive over 70 mph compared to driving at 55 mph.
Tracking Your Fuel Savings Progress
What you don’t measure, you can’t improve. Begin tracking your gas mileage today with these tips:
Manual Tracking
- Fill your tank completely
- Reset your trip odometer
- Drive like you usually do, until your next fill up
- Record the number of gallons used and miles driven
- Calculate MPG: Miles driven ÷ Gallons used = MPG
Digital Tools
- Use your car’s own fuel efficiency readout
- Get apps like Fuelly or GasBuddy
- Keep a straightforward spreadsheet with the date, number of miles and number of gallons added
- Pay attention to weekly averages to identify trends
Set Realistic Goals
Don’t expect overnight miracles. Aim for gradual improvement:
- Month 1: Measure your baseline MPG
- Month 2: Integrate 2-3 tips, monitor a 5-10% boost
- Month 3: Apply the rest of your strategies and go for a 15-20% improvement altogether
- Ongoing: Keep good habits, and adapt for the season
The Environmental Bonus
There is more to saving fuel than money. One gallon you decide not to burn translates into about 20 pounds of CO2 that stays out of the atmosphere.
And if these eight suggestions help you save 3 gallons per week, that would be:
- 156 gallons saved annually
- 3,120 pounds of CO2 prevented
- Equivalent to the environmental benefits of approximately 50 trees planted
Both your wallet, as well as the planet, win with smart driving habits.
Common Mistakes That Waste Fuel in an Automatic Transmission Vehicle
Steer clear of these mistakes that undermine your attempts to save fuel:
Putting Premium in Regular Cars
Unless your owner’s manual specifies it, don’t think that burning premium gasoline will add to performance or fuel economy. You’re just wasting money.
Overfilling the Tank
Stop pumping gas when the pump clicks off to prevent fuel from entering the evaporation system. Topping off is a waste of gas and can harm emissions controls.
Ignoring the Check Engine Light
Engine issues can decrease fuel efficiency from 10-40%. Get diagnostic codes checked promptly according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s fuel economy guidelines.
Short Highway Acceleration Lanes
Don’t creep onto highways. Match the speed of traffic before trying to merge and you’ll have less chance of a dangerous situation or inefficient driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these tips going to damage my automatic transmission?
A: No. In fact these methods help reduce wear on transmission and encourage proper operation and maintenance. There is a lot more harm in aggressive driving than there is in gentle and efficient driving.
Q: How much money can I really expect to save with these tips?
A: Applying all eight strategies saves most drivers 15-25% on fuel costs. For someone who spends $200 a month on gas, that would be $30 to $50 in savings or roughly $360 to $600 annually.
Q: Will these tips help me if I drive a hybrid car with automatic transmission?
A: Yes. Hybrids gain even more, because their systems optimize the trade-off between gas engine and electric motor. Smooth driving maximizes electric-only operation.
Q: Will driving slower everywhere save the most fuel?
A: Not necessarily. Extremely low speeds may require lower gears and higher RPMs. The sweet spot for most automatic transmissions is 45-60 mph when driving on open roads.
Q: How long before I begin to get better fuel economy?
A: You can monitor changes in 1-2 tanks of gas, approximately 1-2 weeks. It is the consistent application of these methods which provides the best results.
Q: Are new automatic transmissions more fuel-efficient than older ones?
A: Generally, yes. Modern automatics have a higher number of gears (8-10 speeds rather than 4-6), better computer controls and sophisticated innovations such as cylinder deactivation. But prudent driving habits matter more than how old the transmission is.
Q: Should I shift to neutral when stopped at red lights?
A: No! Today’s automatic cars actually use very little fuel while idling in Drive. Repeatedly shifting into neutral can cause premature wear on the transmission and does not actually save fuel.
Your Action Plan Starting Today
So there you have it – eight successful ways to save on fuel in your automatic car! You don’t want to try and do everything at once. That’s overwhelming and unsustainable.
Week 1: Focus on smooth acceleration and coasting to stops. These two habits alone could save 10-15%.
Week 2: Include regular tire pressure inspections and AC management.
Week 3: Plan better routes and cut down on useless weight in your car.
Week 4: Schedule a transmission maintenance and promise to use cruise control on the highway.
It takes about one month for these behaviors to become unconscious. You will just drive better without realizing it.
The best part? These aren’t temporary tricks. They’re sustainable habits that save money year after year, and also make you a safer, more polite driver.
Your automatic is designed to be efficient. These eight tips just help you unleash its full capabilities. Begin now, follow your progress and see the amount of money you save on your fuel as well as your driving skills enhance.
Every dollar saved on gas is a dollar that you can spend on things more meaningful than simply watching numbers on a fuel pump rise. Seize control of your miles per gallon and budget today.
