Meta Description: Simple daily habits that collectively add up to major fuel savings over a full road season. Best driving habits to save fuel in your RV.
Upgrading engine components or adding aerodynamic skirting to your RV requires a substantial financial investment. Conversely, changing your driving habits is completely free and is often the most effective way to improve your MPG.
Momentum is Your Best Friend
An RV in motion wants to stay in motion. It takes massive amounts of fuel to move 15,000 to 30,000 pounds from a dead stop. Your goal as an efficient RV driver is to preserve momentum whenever safely possible.
- Look far ahead: By scanning the road a quarter-mile ahead, you can anticipate red lights, slow traffic, or upcoming turns.
- Coast into stops: Instead of accelerating up to a red light and hitting the brakes hard, take your foot off the gas early and let the RV's considerable mass carry it forward with zero fuel consumption.
The Art of the Slow Acceleration
Treat the accelerator pedal like there's an egg underneath it. "Jackrabbit" starts—stomping on the gas as soon as the light turns green—force the transmission to hold lower gears longer, burning through fuel rapidly. You should aim for a slow, steady rollout that allows the transmission to ascend gently through its gear range.
Taming the Hills
Mountain driving destroys fuel economy, but how you handle the ascents and descents matters immensely.
When approaching a hill, build up a bit of speed (safely within the limit) before the incline begins, allowing momentum to carry you up the first section. As you climb, do not mash the pedal to maintain your flat-ground speed. Let the RV naturally lose some speed. Fighting gravity by forcing the engine into a high-RPM downshift will tank your MPG.
On the way down, use engine braking instead of riding your service brakes. While this doesn't directly save fuel, it prevents costly brake pad wear and dangerous brake fade.
Mind the Idling
If you stop for a bathroom break, to check directions, or to let a passenger stretch their legs, turn the engine off. Idling a large RV engine gets 0 MPG. Modern engines do not require long idling cool-downs unless you've just pulled off a steep mountain pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using the dash A/C ruin fuel economy?
Yes and no. At low speeds (under 40 MPH), opening windows to cool the cab is more efficient than running the A/C compressor. However, at highway speeds, open windows create immense aerodynamic drag, making the A/C the more fuel-efficient choice.
Is cruise control always good for gas mileage?
On flat interstates, yes, because it prevents micro-accelerations. On rolling or steep hills, it is terrible for gas mileage, as the computer will aggressively downshift to hold a strict speed.