Your Guide to Maximizing Fuel Efficiency in San Luis Obispo, CA
Here at Subaru of San Luis Obispo, we know that many of our valued customers are seeking ways to maximize fuel. To enjoy long drives without stretching your monthly gas budget, read some of our helpful tips below!
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance
One of the simplest ways to protect your fuel economy is to stay on top of scheduled maintenance. A clogged air filter, worn spark plugs, or low tire pressure can quietly drain your efficiency without you ever noticing. Subaru vehicles pride themselves on their excellent engineering, but like any precision machine, they perform their best when they are properly cared for. We recommend bringing your Forester or Legacy into our Service Department for regular oil changes using the manufacturer-recommended synthetic oil, which reduces internal engine friction and keeps things running smoothly throughout your San Luis Obispo travels.
Mind Your Tire Pressure
This one gets overlooked more than it should. Underinflated tires create excess rolling resistance, meaning your engine works harder just to maintain speed. Check your tire pressure at least once a month, especially before long road trips down Highway 101. The recommended PSI is listed on the sticker inside your driver's door jamb, and it takes less than five minutes to check. It's one of the easiest free wins for fuel economy available to any driver.
Drive With Efficiency in Mind
How you drive matters just as much as what you drive. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking are two of the biggest fuel wasters on the road. Instead, try to anticipate traffic flow and coast to a gradual stop when possible. On the highway, using cruise control in your Subaru Outback or Wilderness keeps your speed consistent and prevents the subtle speed creep that quietly burns extra fuel. Subaru vehicles equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission are specifically designed to keep the engine operating in its most efficient range. Let the transmission do its job by avoiding sudden throttle inputs, and you'll feel the difference at the pump.
Lighten the Load
Many drivers unknowingly carry extra weight in their vehicles, whether it be golf clubs, camping gear, sports equipment, or other items. Every 100 pounds of unnecessary cargo reduces fuel economy by roughly one to two percent. If you've been leaving your roof cargo box on your Subaru Outback year-round, consider removing it when it's not in use. The added aerodynamic drag alone can reduce efficiency by up to 25 percent at highway speeds.
Quick Action Items to Boost Your Fuel Efficiency
Keep these helpful tips in mind throughout your next trip to Laguna Lake Park:
- Check tire pressure monthly and inflate to the recommended PSI found on your door jamb.
- Schedule regular maintenance including oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug inspections.
- Remove unnecessary cargo and roof accessories when not in use to reduce weight and drag.
- Drive smoothly by anticipating stops, avoiding hard acceleration, and using cruise control on highways.
- Use Subaru's Continuously Variable Transmission to your advantage by maintaining steady throttle inputs.
- If equipped, enable Adaptive Cruise Control during highway commutes for consistent, efficient speeds.
Our Dealership
Fuel efficiency isn't just about the vehicle, it's about the relationship between driver and machine. When you make a conscious effort to save as much fuel as possible, you'll be surprised how far you can go between stops for refuels. Visit our nearby location today, and we'll make sure your Subaru is tuned, inspected, and ready to go the distance.
Looking for a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle? Shop Our Inventory in San Luis Obispo, CA!
Dealership Information
Testimonials
Did a very good job!
They are my Dealership now!
“ It's worth the drive from Santa Ynez. I love my Subaru Crosstrek, and I want it to be my last car. She was due for her 60,000-mile service, which I knew was a big one ($$$$)... I made an appointment online (a nice feature offered by all Subaru dealers) .... I made it for 1pm. The next day, I was called, and my service advisor said this was a large service, and it would take up to 5 hours to get it done. They offered me a loaner car at no extra charge. The loaner was a 2024 Forrester Ascent. Super nice vehicle... much bigger and nicer than my own car! Very thorough, very professional, and friendly service staff. They are my Dealership now! ”
Thank you!
“ I had new tires installed and Subaru loaned me a car while I waited for it. I really appreciate that. ”
The customer service at this dealership is outstanding.
“ Ladies if you want to buy a car and have a great experience see Alex Nikolaou. My sister (70's) wanted to buy a car, so she brought me along to be the "heavy". Alex met us when we pulled up to the front of the dealership. He introduced himself and I told him we were not buying a car today. He appreciated; I was honest. As my sister looked around, she fell in love with the 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness package. My sister test drove the vehicle and learned more about the active cruise control and active driving options on the vehicle. Alex showed her how to use the options and respectfully answered all our questions. We had a goal to walk away and have dinner and discuss the options. Alex said he would put some numbers together and send to us via text. We did not feel pressure or dirty leaving the dealership to think on this vehicle. The trade in price on her Subaru Outback was reasonable so we slept on the idea of a new car. In the morning we text Alex and set up an appt to come and test drive the car again. Alex explained all the nuances of the Forester compared to her older Outback. What sold my sister was the front camera, SLO has small parking spaces, and the front camera is fantastic for pulling into tight spaces. The cameras on this car make it easy to get in and out of parking spots without hitting the curb in front. What I would like to say about this experience is if you want your Grandmother, Mother or Sister to feel respected and not taken advantage of go see Alex at Subaru of San Luis Obispo. As my sister and I asked questions Alex slowly explained the answers. He did not talk down to us, and we had tons of questions. I did not feel dirty or swindled leaving the dealership after the purchase. Subaru of San Luis Obispo has a young gentleman, “Porter” to help explain all the electronic in the new car. My sister can go into this dealership any time in the future and ask for explanations of this knob, switch or setting up the apple car play to her current apple phone or when she upgrades to the new apple phone. The customer service at this dealership is outstanding. We recommend working with Alex for all your Subaru needs. ”
Everything was streamlined and seemless
“ Second crosstrek just drove off the lot. Everything was streamlined and seemless. Kevin and the team at Rancho Grande Subaru always make sure all my questions are answered and get me the best deal. Great car buying experience!!! Super stoked. ”
Always helpful, friendly, patient and knowledgeable.
“ Everyone at the Subaru dealership is always helpful, friendly, patient and knowledgeable. ”
quick and easy
“ I wanted to buy another Crosstrek, had a 2024 exactly what I wanted, and purchased it that day. ”
I highly recommend Subaru SLO, the entire team!
“ Liam is the best!!! He explained the features on my New Outback I highly recommend Subaru SLO, the entire team! They are the Best!! ”
Kevin was very knowledgeable and helpful
“ They had a HUGE selection for year end. Kevin was very knowledgeable and helpful, and they offered very fair price on a new Forrester. ”
Super happy with our experience at Subaru!!!
“ Kevin is the best. Super happy with our experience at Subaru!!! ”
Outstanding Job!
“ James Binkele did a fantastic job on helping us out. Outstanding Job! ”
Exceptional service with an exceptional team
“ Exceptional service with an exceptional team. Everyone from the sales team to finance department/manager was incredibly knowledgable and able to make the process as quick as possible while being 100% transparent. I highly recommend Subaru of San Luis in search of a vehicle. ”
I would recommend working with Randy at Subaru of SLO!
“ Randy Gregory was our salesman and made the car buying experience super stress free. We came in for a test drive and weren't pressured to make the sale immediately. Came back after testing a few other models at other dealers with other sales people and by far Randy was the easiest and most transparent on features, price, etc. I would recommend working with Randy at Subaru of SLO! ”
Highly recommend this business for everyone.
“ We found a wonderful used car on their site and enquired about financing and within a hour was contacted by Liam a true professional who asked us to come in on Christmas eve and we felt like family members and never felt any pressure and everyone went above and beyond for us to give us the best buying experience we've ever had. Thank you so much Liam, Paras, and Peter for being the best in the business for us and our purchase. Highly recommend this business for everyone. ”
Will likely be the only shop I ever buy from again.
“ Bought a 2023 Subie Outback from Jimmy Binkele and Paras Shukla. These guys are consummate professionals and will likely be the only shop I ever buy from again. ”
Will be doing service with Subaru SLO again!
“ Amazing experience with the service department. Will be doing service with Subaru SLO again! ”
Fast, thorough, courteous
“ Fast, thorough, courteous ”
The best car dealership I have ever been to
“ I purchased my Forester a few years ago at Subaru of San Luis Obispo. Every experience I have had here, from buying the vehicle, to every service has been excellent. It is a pleasure working with the staff. Everyone has always been pleasant, competent, and has kept me informed. The best car dealership I have ever been to. Thank you. ”
Top notch and courteous service.
“ I have bought two cars from Zak Vigil in the last three years. Zak was great to work with. Zak made both purchases convenient with processing most of the paperwork virtually and he was very knowledgeable about the cars. No pressure tactics either. Top notch and courteous service. ”
Awesome service
“ Awesome service buying a new vehicle. Thank you. Second Subaru. ”
“ Did a very good job and fast, not much wait time. ”