Your Guide to Maximizing Fuel Efficiency in Henrico, VA
Here at Ourisman Toyota of Richmond, we know that many of our customers are seeking ways to avoid frequent refuels. Read on to learn our experts’ tips on how you can reduce fuel consumption as you go about your Henrico travels!
Embrace the Power of Smooth Driving
One of the biggest fuel-wasters on the road is aggressive driving. Rapid acceleration and hard braking can reduce your fuel economy by up to 30 percent on highways like I-64. Toyota engineers designed vehicles like the Prius and Camry with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. You can take advantage of that engineering by accelerating gently and anticipating stops early. Let momentum do the work whenever possible.
Use Eco Mode and Hybrid Technology
Many of our newest models come equipped with dedicated Eco Mode settings that optimize throttle response and climate control to conserve fuel. If you're driving a RAV4 hybrid or a Grand Highlander hybrid, the vehicle's regenerative braking system actually captures energy during deceleration and feeds it back into the battery. Take full advantage of these systems, as they exist precisely to help you go further on less.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
This one is simple but often overlooked. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which forces your engine to work harder. The technicians in our Service Department recommend checking tire pressure monthly and always inflating to the spec listed in your owner's manual or door jamb sticker. Drivers of larger vehicles like the Tundra or Tacoma will especially notice the difference, as heavier trucks are more sensitive to tire drag.
Stay on Top of Routine Maintenance
A well-maintained engine is an efficient engine. Dirty air filters, old spark plugs, and degraded engine oil all chip away at fuel economy over time. Regular service intervals, which our certified technicians are always happy to help with, keep vehicles like the Sequoia and 4Runner running at peak performance. Fresh oil, in particular, reduces internal engine friction and can noticeably improve MPG.
Reduce Unnecessary Weight and Drag
Hauling around extra cargo or leaving a roof rack in place when you don't need it adds aerodynamic drag and excess weight. If your vehicle is loaded down with gear left behind after a previous trip to Forest Hill Park, consider clearing it out. Even 100 extra pounds can reduce fuel efficiency by roughly one to two percent.
Use Air Conditioning Wisely
At lower speeds, cracking the windows is more efficient than running the A/C. At highway speeds, however, open windows create drag , so switch to A/C once you're cruising above 50 MPH.
Quick Tips to Maximize Fuel Efficiency
Keep these things in mind as you go about your daily drives:
- Enable Eco Mode on every drive when available.
- Check tire pressure once a month.
- Schedule routine maintenance every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
- Accelerate and brake gradually to reduce fuel burn.
- Remove roof racks and excess cargo when they are not in use.
- Use cruise control on the highway to maintain steady speeds.
- Park in the shade to reduce cabin heat and lower A/C demand.
Being mindful of fuel consumption as you travel makes you a better, more conscious driver. Stop by and let our knowledgeable staff members help you find the Toyota model that fits your lifestyle and keeps your fuel costs as low as possible.
Looking for a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle? Shop Our Inventory in Henrico, VA!
Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ Was seen at appointed time. Vehicle was ready in a reasonable amount of time. ”
“ Fantastic service! Jeana was excellent and constantly kept me informed of the progress of my vehicle. ”
“ I had a great experience with Ben. He welcomed my request to perform service on my twelve year old Lexus RX350. The brake work I requested went well. For the dealership, the addition of a status report covering all items checked on the multi-point inspection would have been valuable.. ”
“ Working with Sally was great, highly recommend. Process waz easy, relatively quick, no issues. Would go back. ”
“ Very friendly, professional and exceptional customer service and experience. JJ and team did not hesitate to help, answer questions and to solve a problem. Im satisfied with the service and highly recommended Thank you. ”
“ Glad being with Toyota ”
“ This is my favorite Toyota dealer. They provide excellent customer service and always complete the maintenance service of my car within 2 hours ”
“ Shoutout to Justin for taking care of me. I said, ”no” to a tail light replacement at 8AM and asked if they could do it after realizing I didn’t have enough time to do it myself a few hours later. Justin reopened my ticket and had them replace the tail light and do my state inspection same day. FYI, they have shuttle services, shoutout to Joe for driving me back that morning and good conversation! ”
“ Courteous and helpful staff! They went out of their way to accommodate me even though I was very delayed arriving. Chad was great! ”
“ I was treated wonderfully at this Dealership. The service team was impeccable, warm, and friendly. My service tech was especially helpful. Great Service! ”
“ Service Manger and Technician were professional and were able to troubleshoot and provide repair recommendations quickly. They provided options that assisted with the cost of the repair and communicated the warranty on the repair. They did everything they could to meet my deadline for departure on a trip and delivered as communicated. ”
“ The staff was kind and respectful from start to finish. I was informed of what was going on throughtout my vehicle being serviced. Excellent experience. ”
“ I had a good experience with the Toyota service team. The staff was professional, courteous, and explained the work that needed to be done clearly. The service was completed on time, and I appreciated the updates throughout the process. Overall, the quality of the work met my expectations, and I would recommend this service center to others. Thank you for providing a smooth and positive experience. ”
“ Very convenient to make an appointment online with the reminder set, good service overall 👍 ”
“ The best experience I've ever had at a dealership ! Jason was amazing, attentive, patient and willing to work with you. He seemed to be very genuine and honest man. Would definitely recommend, Ourisman team is unmatched ! I've bought two cars from them in excellent condition ! If your looking for a reliable vehicle this is the place to go. ”
“ Nicole Cardwell was absolutely wonderful. She understood the assignment and got me off the phone quickly thank you so much.🌻 ”
“ The service was great and was done in a timely manner. Kudos to Ben in service, always pleasant to work with and get it done!!! Thank you Ourisman Toyota for having such a kind and efficient employee, Mr. Ben Burnett in Richmond, Va. ”
“ Laura Sutton learned of my needs for a Toyota and the scoured her company’s inventory to find a car that fit. Turns out the one that fit was committed to another customer, but the deal fell through. Laura jumped on the newly available car, and connected me with it. ”
“ Great experience ”
“ Very helpful ”
“ Great experience always 100 percent service.. ”
“ Everyone is always pleasant at Ourisman. ”
“ Went to sell my truck, test drove a car loved it and bought it. Jason did a great job helping me and making sure everything went well. ”
“ Great Service. Car pickup was very efficient. ”
“ With prices going up on everything, I was anxious about bringing my Tacoma truck in for annual maintenance service. I was so relieved and thrilled that Ourisman continues to offer a no-charge maintenance service for their vehicles. And it continues to be fast, thorough, and excellent service. Way to go, Ourisman Toyota! ”
“ Our salesman Ethan was very attentive to our needs and made the experience as efficient as possible. My son is extremely happy with his new truck. ”
I am a regular customer, dutifully following my sienna
“ I am a regular customer, dutifully following my sienna maintenance schedule. Every visit to the West Broad OURISMAN is an example of a high quality service. I meet professional and knowledgeable people who, like Chad, are always ready to help. Thank you! ”
“ great customer service and a calming environment ”
“ Service advisor Carl was great and provided excellent service. ”
“ They were very quick and proficient. ”
“ Very pleasant employees, great service. ”
“ Literally, moved mountains for us. Time crunch! ”
“ Experience was professional as expected. ”
“ I had an excellent experience at Ourisman Toyota of Richmond. My questions about vehicles I found online were answered promptly and those cars were made available for me to see. My salesperson, Sally, was absolutely wonderful!! She was available to answer my questions and lead me through the car buying process! ”
“ (Translated by Google) Excellent service, Evan. (Original) Excelente servicio Evan ”