How to Increase MPG in a Subaru Impreza
by Arthur Barnhouse
The Subaru Impreza first hit the market in 1993 as a compact car that was made available as either a four- or five-door sedan. Originally, the Impreza was equipped with a tame 1.8-liter engine. The car gained popularity in later years, however, in the off-road, rally-race circuit. It was equipped with a more powerful, turbocharged engine. Its gas mileage suffered slightly, though its efficiency still exceeded many larger cars and SUVs. If you want to increase your Impreza's fuel economy, you can follow just a few simple steps.
Step 1
Decrease the speed at which you drive your Impreza. Though the car's sporty handling and power tempt you to test the limits of the speedometer, excessive speed results in fewer miles per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, keeping your speed below 60 miles per hour can increase fuel efficiency between 7 and 23 percent.
Step 2
Stop aggressive driving. The car's adept suspension, braking and acceleration can lead to sudden stops, weaves through traffic and forceful acceleration but all of these activities hurt fuel economy. Steady driving at a constant speed, while avoiding constant braking and subsequent acceleration, will improve gas mileage.
Step 3
Switch the Impreza's engine oil to a premium or high-performance synthetic, especially if your car is turbocharged. A quality synthetic will drastically reduce the friction of internal parts, prolong the life of the engine and increase efficiency.
Step 4
Inspect the Impreza's air filter, particularly if you do any off-road driving. A dirt-clogged filter will choke the engine and, according to the Federal Trade Commission, can limit fuel economy by up to 10 percent. If the filter is visibly dirty or it has not been replaced for a year or two, install a new one. Consider a high-performance filter, which will enhance the amount of air available to the Impreza's engine.
Step 5
Stop hauling around excessive weight, in particular, cargo on the exterior of the car, even if your Impreza is equipped with a roof rack. Not only will the additional weight of luggage, bicycles or other sporting equipment burden the engine, it will spoil the car's aerodynamics. Weight, combined with poor aerodynamics, will decrease the Impreza's fuel efficiency.
References
Writer Bio
Arthur Barnhouse has written numerous short stories, contributed content to various websites and was an invited speaker at a university symposium on creative writing. He began writing in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Barnhouse has driven across the United States numerous times and draws upon his travel experiences in his writing.
