The activities most likely to waste fuel are:
- Accelerating quickly
- Braking hard
- Speeding
- Driving with under- or over-inflated tires
- Driving short distances frequently
- Excessive idling
Accelerating quickly and braking hard cause the engine to consume more fuel due to rapid changes in speed and inefficient gear shifting. Speeding forces the car to operate at higher power levels, increasing fuel consumption. Incorrect tire pressure affects fuel efficiency by increasing rolling resistance. Short trips prevent the engine from warming up fully, leading to higher fuel consumption. Excessive idling wastes fuel by running the engine without movement.
Among these, speeding and poor tire inflation are highlighted in several sources as significant causes of fuel waste. Reducing speed to an optimal range (such as 55-60 mph) helps improve fuel efficiency. Ensuring tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended PSI further reduces unnecessary fuel use.
In summary, harsh driving behaviors (quick acceleration, hard braking, speeding), improper tire maintenance, and short trips with engine idling are most likely to waste fuel.
