How to Save on Gas

[moremoneymom]

The Truth About Saving Gas

My search for better fuel economy through experiments, travels, and research have led to me to several conclusions on how to get better fuel efficiency from your vehicle. Is there a single change you can make to get more miles to the gallon? The answer is not simple.

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for those that

Comments

[jonabbey]

The EPA changed their MPG calculation methodology starting with the 2008 model year, which means that 2009 model year cars are advertised as getting lower gas mileage than the same car would have just a few years ago.

See http://www.caranddriver.com/features/columns/c_d_columns/after_30_years_the_epa_finally_comes_up_with_realistic_fuel_economy_estimates_column for details.

- jon

[lifeofresearch]

Item 1. is a myth. What lowers gas mileage is starting and stopping. You want to get to optimum speed as quickly as possible to avoid additional time in a part open throttle mode. For example in a Prius taking off will lower your instantaneous mileage and the mileage is at 10 or less. You want to stay at that level for a very small part of the time then let off and pulse and glide. Accelerating slowly just prolongs the lower instantaneous mileage and your average. You also want to adjust your route to maximize the terrain to your advantage. Also, coast to a stop as often as you can. I am a hypermiler and regularly get 65 MPG in my Prius without doing extreme tactics.

Good point

[moremoneymom]

As stated, this list applies more to those who have non-hybrid cars. The Prius, for example, wouldn't be much affected by conventional methods because its very well computer-controlled. The carburetors of older cars, especially Holley carbs, will dump a bunch of unnecessary gasoline into the engine if you slam on the gas. Braking too fast just means that you will have to dump more gas in to get back up to speed quickly. I fully agree that one should try to avoid part open throttle mode.

Re: Good point

[la_veuve_chibi]

Funny, you don't usually see spammers responding to comments...

Re: Good point

[lifeofresearch]

My fun car is a new Corvette. I have talked to the chief engineer for Corvette too and we both exchanged information. While I have not tried to get maximum mileage out of the Corvette I still use the brisk acceleration and back off method to get to the desired speed. The Corvette has an instantaneous mileage indicator that shows the same method works as the Prius. Most cars with carburetors are over 20 years old and should only be used as fun cars not daily drivers due to their pollution levels.

How To Save Gas Program

[anonymous]

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition consisting largely of industrial, technological, and energy corporations. The Alliance states that its mission is to "support energy efficiency as a cost-effective energy resource under existing market conditions and advocate energy-efficiency policies that minimize costs to society and individual consumers, and that lessen greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the global climate.

Ryan Decosta

parking sensor

[bmw_san_diego]

thats a nice faq on maintenance.