While gas prices in Oklahoma have been moderate over the past few months, they're still a significant expense related to operating and maintaining your vehicle. That means it's worth it to put some thought into how you can get the most out of each tank of gas and make your vehicle as efficient as possible. Here are a few basic fuel efficiency tips to consider to increase your miles per gallon. 

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  Efficient tires
  

​Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that's touching the road, at least you hope they are. That means they play a significant role in the amount of drag your car experiences. More drag means your car has to work harder to accelerate, which cuts down on fuel efficiency. Start by ensuring that your tires are properly inflated. Go by the PSI listed in your owner's manual rather than what's listed on the tire itself. This alone can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3-percent. Remember that your tires will lose about 1 PSI per month, and pressure will decrease more when it's cold. So, check your tires periodically and keep them properly inflated. That's not the only tire related concern that has an affect on fuel efficiency, however. The width of your tires also affects drag, so opting for narrower tires is a good way to decrease fuel consumption. It also reduces traction so don't get to thin or get tires that are smaller than your vehicle's manufacturer recommends. 

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  Replace parts
  

​If you want to make an investment in your vehicle that will pay itself off in gas savings, there are a few parts that will have a significant affect on fuel consumption. Start with the mass air flow sensor, which helps regulate fuel injection, transmission shifting and other things. If it's worn or dirty, it won't be as accurate, which could lead to a drop in efficiency. New spark plugs also help your engine run more efficiently and should be replaced periodically. Dirty air filters could be another cause of poor gas mileage. Especially on older cars, it's important to change your filters before they're able to reduce mileage. Also, be sure to check your owner's manual for scheduled maintenance, especially how often you should change your fuel filter. By keeping your car tuned up, you'll also enjoy better fuel efficiency. 

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  Clean the interior
  

​You don't need to be an expert mechanic to increase gas mileage. Anyone can make a difference by simply cleaning out the interior of the car. Vacuuming up dirt and crumbs that may have gotten into seats is fine, but to impact fuel efficiency, you need to lighten the amount of weight your car is being asked to transport. Look through your backseat and trunk and take out anything that doesn't need to be there. If you're hauling an extra 100-pounds, your vehicle is consuming as much as 2-percent more fuel. This is only true if you're regularly driving your vehicle in the city where there's lots of stop and go driving, however, since it's accelerating where the weight plays a big role. If you have removable seats in your vehicle, that's another opportunity to cut down on weight when you don't need them. 

At Benzin Motor Works, we help our customers get the most out of their BMW, Mercedes or Hummer H1. Come see us for routine maintenance, tune-ups, repairs and upgrades to prolong the life of your vehicle and help keep it running at peak performance.