Jun 7, 2025

When it comes to gas mileage, every little bit helps. Each of the Chevy fuel efficiency tips below can make a small difference, but the real benefit comes when you stack them up; the cumulative impact is huge. 

Maximizing Fuel Efficiency in Your Chevy: 7 Tips and Tricks

Avoid Idling When Possible

When you pause and idle the engine in traffic, your car guzzles gas. It’s best to follow the 10-second rule: if you stop in place for more than 10 seconds, turn off the engine. This saves gas and also reduces the wear and tear that idling causes to any engine.

Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Under-inflated tires have more surface area pressed against the tarmac. This heightens rolling resistance and friction, slowing your car and reducing fuel efficiency. Overinflation can also lead to worse gas mileage as the tires become damaged and unevenly worn. It’s best to protect both your tires and gas tank with regular air pressure checks. 

Accelerate Promptly

There’s a common misconception that slow acceleration from a stop saves gas. This is not accurate. While you do burn more gas the harder you accelerate, when you accelerate more slowly, you spend more time accelerating. The amount of gas you burn slowly but still continuously accelerating is greater than if you simply get up to speed quickly and can begin coasting more.

Use the Brake Pedal Less

Don’t approach stops too quickly. Instead, take your foot off the gas and allow your car to coast in advance of stops, saving fuel while also reducing brake wear. 

Find the Optimal Cruising Speed 

On the highway, experiment with different cruising speeds to find the sweet spot for your gas mileage. Many will find optimal fuel efficiency at around 55mph.

Improve Your Car’s Aerodynamics

When driving at higher speeds, wind resistance becomes a significant issue. If your car is topped with an unused roof rack, consider removing it to boost your car’s overall aerodynamics.

Use AC Carefully

The AC uses gas, but so does opening the window. For speeds under 45, it’s more cost-effective to keep the windows open. For speeds over 45, the drag becomes too great, and you’ll spend less gas by using the AC. At those speeds, the power draw of the AC on the engine is less intense, as well, so less gas is burned than if you used the AC at 25 mph. 

Ask the Pros for More Chevy Fuel Efficiency Tips

Our courteous, experienced technicians have a wealth of wisdom regarding gas mileage that they’re happy to share. Drop by for plenty more ideas on how to maximize bang for your buck at the gas station.

Visit Bacon Chevrolet in Frankston, TX, today. We’ve been helping the drivers of East Texas enjoy more cost-effective and pleasurable drives for decades.