Are you the proud owner of a V8 engine? If so, you are most likely familiar with the high cost of filling up your tank. While V8s are known for their power and performance, they’re not exactly known for their fuel efficiency.
But just because your truck has a V8 engine doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to paying through the nose every time you need to fill up.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to better your V8 gas mileage. Start by checking the tire pressure and ensuring your tires are properly inflated. Get regular tune-ups and use the ideal grade motor oil. When you’re driving, try to accelerate slowly and smoothly and use cruise control whenever possible. And finally, avoid excessive idling and don’t haul around unnecessary weight.
Continue reading to learn how these tips can help you get to improve your V8 engine gas mileage.
9 Proven Ways to Improve Gas Mileage on a V8 Engine
1. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
You might not have known this, but under or over-inflated tires can significantly affect your gas mileage. In fact, properly inflated tires can better the gas mileage by up to 3.3%. This might not seem significant, but it can add up over time.
You want to ensure your tires are properly inflated to have less rolling resistance. The result can help you save money and keep the car running smoothly.
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2. Get Regular Tune-Ups
Another way to improve your gas mileage is by getting regular car-tune-ups. This will help keep your car’s engine running efficiently, which in turn will use less gas. Tune-ups can also help improve the car’s performance and prolong its lifespan. Get these done every 30,000 miles to keep your car running like a top.
3. Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
Again this has to do with your car’s engine efficiency. If you use the wrong motor oil grade, it can cause your engine to work harder and use more gas. Use only the motor manufacturer’s oil to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. Ensure you buy the oil from a reputable source to ensure you’re getting the correct oil.
4. Accelerate Slowly and Smoothly
Aggressive driving (hard acceleration and braking) wastes fuel. You may have heard it before, but it’s worth repeating. You can save on your gas mileage by driving more slowly and smoothly simply. This means accelerating slowly and smoothly and braking gradually instead of suddenly. You don’t have to drive like a grandma to see an improvement in your gas mileage, but try to avoid hard accelerating and braking as much as possible.
5. Use Cruise Control
This one is pretty simple – using cruise control on the highway can help you save gas. When you use cruise control, your car will maintain a steady speed, which takes less gas than accelerating and decelerating constantly. Use cruise control on long highway drives to help improve your gas mileage.
6. Drive at a Steady Speed Whenever Possible
One of the most important things you can do to get better gas mileage is to drive at a steady speed. V8 engines are designed to run at a certain speed, and deviating from that speed can lead to suboptimal performance.
If you are constantly accelerating and braking, it’s time to reevaluate your driving habits. Try to drive at a steady speed whenever possible to improve your gas mileage.
7. Avoid Excessive Idling
While this might also seem like a no-brainer, you would be surprised how often people idle their cars for extended periods. If you’re going to stop for more than 30 seconds, it’s actually more advisable and fuel-efficient that you turn the car off and restart it when you’re ready to go.
Additionally, try to avoid stop-and-go traffic as much as possible. Not only is it a pain, but all that starting and stopping is really tough on your gas mileage. If you know you’re going to be sitting in traffic, try to find an alternate route that will get you where you need to go without all the stops.
8. Use the Right Grade of Gasoline
This one is important – using the wrong gasoline grade can damage your car’s engine. Check the car’s manual to see the recommended gasoline grade for your specific model. Using the wrong grade of gas can lead to all sorts of problems, so it’s important to get this right.
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9. Don’t Carry Around Unnecessary Weight
It might be a simple tip, but it makes a big difference. The more weight you carry in your car, the more gas it will burn.
So, if you’re carrying around a bunch of junk in your trunk that you don’t need, get rid of it! The same goes for any unnecessary passengers – if it’s possible to carpool or take public transportation instead of driving solo, go for it. It might feel inconvenient but it can help you save some bucks especially when you’re on a tight budget.
Does a V8 Engine Use a Lot of Gas?
This’s a valid question, considering that V8s are best known for their performance and power. However, the answer is not as simple as you might think.
While it’s true that V8 engines tend to be less fuel-efficient than smaller engines, there are several factors that can influence a V8’s gas mileage such as engine size, driving habits, and even the weather can affect how much fuel your V8 uses.
In general, however, you can expect a V8 engine to use more gas than a smaller engine. If you’re looking to save on gas, consider economizing on a smaller engine.
Of course, if fuel efficiency isn’t your top priority, then a V8 engine is still a great option. V8s offers incredible power and performance, and there’s no comparison to the sound of a V8 engine.
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What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Truck With a V8?
While there are quite a few factors that affect fuel economy—including driving habits and terrain—some trucks with V8 engines tend to get better gas mileage than others. If you’re looking for a new truck and want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck at the pump, keep an eye out for the following models:
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The all-new 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is more of a mild refresh than a complete redesign, but there are still plenty of new features and changes to discuss.
This half-ton truck receives an EPA-estimated 22 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the city with its 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbo-Diesel engine. When suitably equipped, it can tow up to 9,300 pounds and has a max payload capacity of 2,250 pounds.
2022 Ford F-150
The 2022 Ford F-150 is a heavy-duty truck that offers a great blend of power and comfort. It comes equipped with either a 3.3L Ti-VCT or 3.3L EcoBoost engine; both get an EPA highway rating of 24 mpg. It comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, but an available 10-speed automatic transmission offers even better fuel economy.
Conclusion
V8 engines have a reputation for being powerful but thirsty when it comes to fuel. However, you can improve your V8’s gas mileage using the above tips, from maintaining proper tire pressure to keeping your engine properly tuned.
