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With gas prices rising this summer, what can you do to improve the fuel mileage on your Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, and other new Subaru models? You may have purchased your Subaru recently and are not ready to pull the trigger on a new electric vehicle.
The EPA says Subaru's entire fleet of all-wheel-drive vehicles is among the most fuel-efficient, but there are eight things you can do to improve your fuel mileage even more. Check out eight easy tips here adapted from Real Simple.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, poor driving habits, aggressive speeding, braking, and rapid acceleration can lower your gas mileage by roughly 15 to 30 percent at highway speeds and 10 to 40 percent in stop-and-go traffic.
According to Real Simple, here are eight things you can do to save money at the pump, both during peak gas prices and every day.
1. Don't drive aggressively and slow down
Driving the speed limit and less aggressively is "perhaps the biggest change a person can make to improve their fuel economy," says Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor of Edmunds, an online consumer resource for automotive inventory and information.
To practice more fuel-efficient driving habits, glide to the traffic light instead of rushing only to slam on the brakes. Pick a lane and stick with it. And when you're on the highway, try to use your cruise control, as it will optimize your driving speed.
"These habits require patience and budgeting of your time to arrive a little later than normal," says Montoya. He adds that these choices may only contribute to an increase of a couple of miles per gallon, "but altogether, they could add up to a significant difference."
2. Use the recommended Subaru oil and change it before it's ready
"Performing an oil change and using (Subaru's synthetic 0W-20) recommended oil can improve fuel economy," says Montoya. This is because oil lubricates the moving metal pieces inside your car's engine, and having too little, too much, or the wrong type of oil can all impact how efficiently the engine runs.
Related Story: The Best Oil For Your New Subaru And How To Improve Fuel Mileage
If 0W-20 synthetic oil isn't available during an oil change, 5W-30 conventional oil may be used instead. It's essential that you follow Subaru's recommended intervals rather than the sticker on your windshield or the interval that you used on your last vehicle.
Subaru says to change the oil every six months or 6,000 miles, or whichever comes first. If you drive in severe conditions, change your oil more often.
3. Change your air filter often if you are off-road
Your Subaru Boxer engine needs to breathe to get the optimum fuel mileage. A clocked and dirty air filter will impede your Subaru engine's ability to breathe easily and perform its best. Change it more often if you travel off-road on dirty and dusty trails.
4. Check your tire's air pressure
Properly inflated tires are critical to safely operating your car and, as an added benefit, directly impact your fuel efficiency. Since 2004, Subaru has used tire pressure sensors (TPMS system) which warn drivers when air pressure drops below the manufacturer's recommended level.
"Keeping your tires at the recommended tire pressure not only helps improve fuel economy but is also safer and helps prolong your tires' lifespan," says Montoya. Many tire shops have a drive-through lane where they will check your air pressure easily and quickly for free.
Check Out This Related Story: 12 Easy Tips To Improve Your New Subaru Or Any Car's Fuel Mileage This Summer
5. Don't ignore the engine check light
"If your vehicle has a check engine light that has gone unattended, there's a good chance this is impacting your fuel economy as well," says Montoya. FuelEconomy.Gov reports that a car that fails an emissions test or is "out of tune" can cause a 4 percent drop in fuel efficiency.
A study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory also observed that a faulty oxygen sensor reduced fuel economy by over 40 percent in the vehicles it tested. If those benefits weren't enough, fixing a problem causing your check engine light early on can also prevent your repair cost from increasing by letting the situation worsen over time.
6. Don't warm up your car
Starting your car when it's cold and leaving it running with the heater on means you'll burn more fuel. Your vehicle's engine will warm up quicker when driven, improving the heater's performance and reducing fuel consumption.
"Most modern vehicles should be ready for driving after 30 seconds," says Montoya. Usually, that means if you start the car as soon as you get into it, then put your seatbelt on, you'll be ready to go by the time you're done.
7. Do not use premium fuel
You don't need expensive 91-octane gasoline. If you drive a Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Impreza, or Legacy, your vehicle is designed to run on 87-octane or regular gasoline, and you don't need expensive premium fuel.
"If your vehicle 'recommends' premium fuel rather than requiring it, you can safely switch to regular octane fuel without harming the engine and save money," says Montoya. "Just be aware that it may generate less power, but not enough to affect your daily driving."
The report says a 2016 AAA study found that Americans wasted 2.1 billion dollars on premium fuel, which provided little to no benefit. Indeed the tiny benefit it did provide didn't even come close to what it cost consumers.
Related Story: The Complete Fuel Guide For Your Subaru And How To Save Hundreds Per Year
8. Find cheaper gas options
To identify the lowest gas prices near you, Google Maps and Waze both have pricing information built-in, and there are other apps that are specialized for this purpose as well. GasBuddy is one of the more popular apps.
Real Simple says, "When gas prices are high, getting gas at the lowest price in your area can save you significant cash, but only if you plan for it. If you drive 20 minutes in each direction to get to the low-cost gas, you probably won't save much. Instead, try grouping your errands and planning to stop at the less expensive gas station on the way."
Your new Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, and other new Subaru models are fuel efficient, but these eight tips are easy things to improve your fuel mileage even more, this summer.
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The Best Used Cars For You - Consumer Reports Says Pick Subaru CrosstrekDenis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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