It’s not enjoyable to watch your funds drain away due to an inefficient vehicle. Gas can be pricey and many people are trying to find ways to pinch pennies at the gas pump. If you’re worried about emptying your wallet on your next gas trip, here are a few tips to help improve the gas mileage of your Mercedes-Benz.
Ease Off the Accelerator
While it’s great fun to push your car and test how fast it can really go, you might also be wasting a good 15 percent of your gas mileage whenever you drive over 65 miles per hour. It’s better to drive the speed limit than race the clock to save on gas. However, avoid driving under 65 mph on the highway as well. Not only is it dangerous to slow down significantly in fast traffic but driving below 65 mph also decreases your gas mileage by 15 percent. Another behavior to consider changing is how you approach traffic lights. Try not to race red lights because your car will end up using more energy to come to stop seconds later. This will cost you money. Further, avoid running yellow lights to improve efficiency. If you do have to come out of a complete stop, don’t press your foot down hard on the accelerator to rush forward out of the stop.
Premium Gas Isn’t That Great
Many people are driving around right now with their gas tanks filled with medium or high-octane gasoline mistakenly thinking they are improving their gas mileage. Unfortunately, high octane does not necessarily mean better. Medium and high-octane gas should be used by cars with a compression engine that is susceptible to pinging. High-octane also benefits high-performance cars with compression engines by helping their engine system run more efficiently. If your car is not a high-performance car with a compression engine, high-octane gas won’t benefit you. If you are unsure what type of gas to put into your Mercedes-Benz, refer to your car manual as the gas type will be listed. You can also contact your Mercedes-Benz mechanic as well.
Drive Light
Try to minimize weight and drag on your Mercedes-Benz before your next drive. The more weight in your car, the more fuel you will have to burn to move that weight. Small items won’t make too much of a difference, but if you are lugging around a huge item like heavy lifting weights, take them out of your vehicle to better your gas mileage. According to the EPA, every 100 pounds of excess weight your car carries reduces gas mileage by one percent. Outside of reducing weight, also try to minimize drag on your vehicle. Drag occurs when there is resistance in the opposite direction of the car’s movement. To avoid drag, remove any bike racks or luggage carriers strapped to the vehicle. These items increase drag and that can further increase your gas bill. When not in use, put these items inside your home.
If you’re having issues keeping your gas mileage up, you can always contact a trusted Mercedes-Benz dealer to look at your vehicle. Silver Star Motors will be able to give you the appropriate advice on how to handle and maintain your Mercedes-Benz.
