There are a few ways to easily and simply increase your fuel economy, regardless of what vehicle you are driving.   This is very important considering today’s economy, and gas prices which regardless of which way they’ve been going, they are still way to high in my eyes.  

1. Get a form of instrumentation

This will allow for you to get immediate feedback on your good, or not so good driving habits, which when changed could offer quite a difference at the pump.   Things like the MPGuino, ScanOBD-II computer, or even a simple Vacuum Gauge will work; they will show current and up to date information which will help you “change the nut behind the wheel.”

2. Make the vehicle more aerodynamic

As scary as this sounds, it can be quite simple, easy and inexpensive.  

One modification is to remove the roof rack if you have one on your vehicle (you can always put it back on if need be), as a roof rack increases both frontal area and Cd.   The gain will vary but some smaller vehicles have shown up to a 10% increase at highway speed by removing it.

Another is to remove mud flaps.

Another is to add a Grill Block, this simply means that you cover up part (or in winter if possible, all) of the front grill, either with a purchased or home made block.   Simply using something like cardboard won’t have the same benefits as a manufactured one that sits flush with the bumper.   This is beneficial in winter as well as it helps engines heat up better as the grill is usually grossly oversized for that ‘worst case scenario.’

Adding a Belly Pan or Under Tray is also beneficial as it reduces Cd from the least aerodynamic part of any vehicle.

Adding a Front Air Dam is another benefit if one drives a larger truck or SUV, this will defiantly help increase your fuel economy.

If driving a truck, adding a tonneau cover would be an easy upgrade, or if you want to take it a step up, making an aeroshell or fastback bed cover.

3. Doing a Drive train Mod

The first and easiest one of these is to use the lowest viscosity engine oil recommended by OEM.   Synthetic oil is also of added benefit.

The same can also be said for ones transmission fluid or differential fluid.

Better intake (some vehicles will benefit from a hot/warm air intake)

Block Heater, in winter this is a must have, it will reduce the amount of gas needed to warm your engine up in the cold.

Changing your mechanical rad fan to an electrical fan, you can either buy an aftermarket electrical fan or get one from a junkyard and make some good usage out of ties and fit it yourself, this has shown up to a 3mpg increase on some larger trucks (up to 25% increase) the reason for this is that the stock fan is very bulky and heavy (you will understand if you remove it) and is being powered constantly by the motor which means its using gas, where as an electric one can be set to run only when needed etc.

4. Wheel

You can do a few things to your wheels to increase fuel economy.

Keeping tires fully inflated (many will say to keep them at or close to the side wall max, I personally keep my about 10% lower to allow for heat up) this means it reduces rolling resistance.

You could also if you need new tires, upgrade to lower rolling resistance tires and/or skinnier tires.

5. Other

Weight reductions is a big one, clean the junk from the trunk already, don’t put it off to next weekend, around 100lbs can be costing you 1-2mpg.

General maintenance is another big one, by simply not maintaining your engine, you could end up with expensive repairs, or just a bigger gas bill, or by maintaining it, neither, seems like a winning choice to me.