Fuel efficiency refers to how your car uses fuel. As such, fuel efficiency has become a key consideration for car buyers as they search for vehicles that allow them to cut down on fuel consumption and costs.

What Is Fuel Efficiency?

Fuel efficiency involves the measurement of how far a car can go based on the amount of fuel at its disposal. It is generally measured in miles per gallon and has become exceedingly important for automakers that want to differentiate themselves from the competition.

Why Is Fuel Efficiency Important?

Fuel-efficient cars require less fuel than traditional vehicles to travel a specific distance. Thus, car buyers often consider fuel efficiency as they explore cars, as fuel-efficient vehicles require less fuel than their counterparts. In addition, fuel efficiency impacts the amount of pollution produced by cars. Driving a fuel-efficient car helps reduce global warming emissions and minimize a driver's carbon footprint. The cost savings provided by a fuel-efficient car can be significant, too. A car that requires less fuel than ever before to help a driver get from Point A to Point B allows this individual to curb his or her fuel spending. As a result, the driver of a fuel-efficient car could save hundreds or thousands of dollars on fuel costs over the course of his or her car's lifetime.

What Are the Top Fuel-Efficient Cars Available Today?

Consumer Reports ranks the following as the most fuel-efficient cars for 2020:

• Honda Insight
• Toyota Prius
• Hyundai Ioniq
• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Camry
• Kia Niro
• Toyota Avalon
• Ford Fusion
• Mitsubishi Mirage

If you are interested in fuel efficiency, it often helps to assess the top fuel-efficient cars on the market today. Once you find a fuel-efficient car, you could purchase a vehicle that enables you to reduce your fuel consumption and save money on fuel costs.

How to Increase Your Car's Fuel Efficiency

For those who want to improve their current car's fuel efficiency, lots of options are available to help you do just that. In fact, some of the best ways to boost your car's fuel efficiency include:

1. Repair or Replace a Defective Gas Cap

A broken or missing gas cap may seem like a minor issue, but it has far-flung effects relative to fuel efficiency. Without a properly functioning gas cap in place, your car's gas mileage goes down, and your vehicle may emit harmful fumes that contribute to smog. Comparatively, repairing or replacing a defective gas cap is a simple fix that usually costs less than $100 and helps increase fuel efficiency.

2. Balance and Rotate Your Tires

Goodyear recommends balancing and rotating car tires approximately every 3,000 to 6,000 miles — or more frequently if you notice your steering wheel, seat, or floorboard vibrates when you drive. Poor alignment reduces fuel efficiency, as well as puts you in danger of encountering other costly car repairs. If you get your tires aligned regularly, you can simultaneously improve tire performance and fuel efficiency.

3. Maintain Properly Inflated Tires

Low tire pressure negatively impacts your car's fuel efficiency, and it can lead to premature wear and tear on your tires or cause your tires to overheat. Checking your tire pressure at least once a month, however, is beneficial. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notes properly inflated tires help improve a car's fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Meanwhile, identifying and correcting low tires helps reduce the risk of performance problems.

4. Tune-Up Your Engine

The engine is the heart of your car, and it needs to be treated with care if you want to maximize your vehicle's fuel efficiency. DOE points out that repairing a car with an engine that is out of tune or fails an emissions test helps improve its performance by up to 4%. And in cases where a serious engine problem is repaired, fuel efficiency may be improved by up to 40%, DOE states. 

5. Use the Right Motor Oil

When it comes to getting your car's oil changed, don't settle for an inferior product. Instead, select the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil, which is listed in your car's owner's manual. If you stick with the recommended grade of motor oil for your car, you may boost your fuel efficiency by up to 2%, according to DOE.

6. Replace Defective Spark Plugs

Spark plugs help ignite your car's fuel, but if they stop working correctly, they can hinder your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Most automakers recommend replacing spark plugs approximately every 30,000 miles. If you replace defective spark plugs, you can improve your car's performance and boost its fuel efficiency.

7. Fill Your Tank in the Morning or at Night

It is typically a good idea to fill your car's tank when the weather is coldest — either in the morning or at night. Filling your tank in the morning or at night helps keep fuel dense and limits the impact of afternoon heat on your fuel. In doing so, this practice ensures you can get more gas for the same amount of money you'd otherwise pay to fill up your tank in the middle of the day. Fuel efficiency is critical to get the best results from your car. Take advantage of these tips, and you can improve your fuel efficiency both now and in the future. This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Irvine, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Orange County area.