Kia’s Eco-Friendly Initiatives

The price of gas is always in flux, making it hard to predict your monthly fuel costs. There are ways you can reduce your fuel consumption and save money at the pump, so keep reading to discover the strategies that we at Pride Kia of Lynn, Massachusetts, suggest to help boost your Kia’s fuel efficiency.

Smart Driving Techniques

Below are some tried-and-tested driving techniques you can use to reduce fuel consumption.

Avoid Rapid Acceleration and Braking

It’s not surprising that aggressive driving uses more fuel, so it’s best to avoid rapidly speeding up and braking whenever possible. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fuel Economy website, you can save up to 40% on fuel in stop-and-go traffic.

Maintain a Steady Speed With Cruise Control

Maintaining a constant speed is more fuel-efficient than adjusting the accelerator and brakes. This is especially true on long stretches of highway. Using Kia’s cruise control can help you optimize your speed and improve your gas mileage. Cruise control may not be as fuel-efficient on steep hills, so employ manual mode in hilly areas.

Observe Speed Limits for Optimal Efficiency

Keeping to the speed limit is a good idea to reduce your miles per gallon. Driving over 60 mph hinders your fuel efficiency because of wind resistance — the engine works harder due to increased aerodynamic load. Driving at a steady speed of approximately 55 mph on flat roads, where possible, can maximize your fuel economy.

Reduce Your Idling Time

Turn your Kia’s engine off when stopping for longer than 10 seconds, except when you’re in traffic. A 3.0-liter engine wastes up to 300 ml of fuel every 10 minutes while idling. Besides the downside to fuel efficiency, idling also increases emissions and air pollution.

Vehicle Maintenance Essentials

Follow these maintenance tips to ensure your Kia always performs at its best.

Check Tire Pressure and Alignment

Tire pressure can impact the fuel efficiency of your Kia. When inflated to the correct pressure, your tires reduce rolling resistance and can save fuel by up to 3%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Unaligned wheels can cause drag, making your engine work harder and use more fuel.

Replace Air Filters and Spark Plugs

Air filters clean the air that enters your engine, and when blocked, less air flows through, decreasing engine power and using more fuel. Dirty or worn spark plugs can cause your engine to misfire, wasting fuel. Replace air filters and spark plugs as recommended in your Kia owner’s manual. If your engine struggles to start, misfires, or jerks when idling, you should check your spark plugs.

Use the Correct Grade of Oil

Using the right type and viscosity of oil can increase your fuel economy by 2%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Kia recommends using full synthetic oil for their latest models, as it provides better lubrication, reduces friction, and handles higher temperatures, leading to improved fuel economy. You’ll find the grade of oil in your owner’s manual or on the oil cap under your hood.

Inspect Oxygen Sensors and Brake Systems

Oxygen sensors ensure the engine has the right air-to-fuel ratio, while brake systems reduce the energy lost due to excessive friction. If you notice lower fuel efficiency, your check engine light comes on, and your Kia isn’t performing as well, you should check your oxygen sensors. Test these yourself with a multimeter, or bring your car into Pride Kia for a full checkup, including brake pads, rotors, and calipers.

Optimize Vehicle Load and Design

Here are some tips for optimizing your Kia’s load and design.

Remove Unnecessary Weight

Generally speaking, the heavier your car, the more fuel you’ll use. To avoid wasting fuel, carry only what you need, loading or taking out heavy bags or gear when needed. Balance your load evenly to reduce stress on the tires, which can cause drag.

Minimize Aerodynamic Drag

Drag refers to the air resistance your car faces when moving forward. Less drag means your car doesn’t have to work hard to pull its weight, which can increase your fuel economy. If you’re in the market for a new car, choose an aerodynamic design such as the Kia EV3 and EV6, which have streamlined shapes allowing them to cut through the air.

Load Roof Racks Correctly

If you have a Kia, streamline its performance by removing roof racks, antennae, and large mirrors, which can increase drag. Add aerodynamic features such as spoilers, side skirts, and air dams to improve airflow. Lowering the vehicle’s ride height also reduces the amount of air drag on your vehicle.

Fuel Optimization Strategies

Try these strategies for optimizing your fuel consumption.

Plan Your Route

Taking a few minutes to plan your route can save both time and fuel. Use navigation apps to avoid traffic jams, road closures, and construction zones that lead to unnecessary idling and detours. Opt for the shortest route, and group errands together to minimize backtracking. Pre-planning helps boost your fuel economy with minimal effort.

Choose the Right Fuel Type for Your Car

An important step for maximizing performance and economy is choosing the right type of fuel for your Kia. Most Kias run on regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline, while performance cars often require premium fuel or diesel.

Keep Improving Your Fuel Efficiency Habits With Kia

Get into the habit of planning efficient routes, combining errands, using GPS to avoid traffic, and carpooling or ride-sharing where possible to help improve your fuel economy. Investing in a fuel-efficient Kia is another way you can save gas money over the long term. Visit or contact us at Pride Kia of Lynn to explore our available inventory or schedule a test-drive.

a silver car parked in front of a building by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Unsplash License