How to Improve the Gas Mileage on a Maxima

by Amy Romero

old gas pump image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com

Improving gas mileage in a vehicle helps the environment as well as your wallet. The more miles you are able to travel per gallon of fuel, the better. Each make and model has its own expected gas mileage range. In a car such as a Nissan Maxima, you can do several things as a driver to maximize your mileage. These include car repairs, driving habits and planning trips efficiently.

Drive More Efficiently

Step 1

Drive less aggressively. Gas mileage drops with excessive braking, speeding up and traveling over 60 miles per hour.

Step 2

Clean out your car's trunk and passenger area. Carrying around less weight can increase your gas mileage.

Step 3

Avoid idling whenever possible. Idling provides 0 mpg, bringing your average mileage down.

Step 4

Use cruise control to keep a constant speed to increase gas mileage.

Maintain Your Car

Step 1

Get scheduled tuneups and fix mechanical defects. Mechanical problems can alter your gas mileage.

Step 2

Check your tires regularly to ensure they are properly inflated. Just 1 psi (pounds per square inch) drop in tire pressure reduces gas mileage by 0.3 percent.

Step 3

Use the correct motor oil for your Maxima, which is found in your owner's manual. Using the wrong grade of motor oil can decrease your miles per gallon by 1 percent to 2 percent.

Plan and Combine Trips

Step 1

Plan your errands into longer trips instead of many short trips, thereby reducing fuel waste.

Step 2

Adjust your commute and errands to avoid rush-hour traffic. The more stop-and-go traffic you're in reduces your gas mileage even more.

Step 3

Use ride-share options or public transportation occasionally, if it is available. Taking fewer trips in your car overall will greatly reduce fuel use.

References

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