Comments on How to Increase Gas Mileage

Running a vehicle at less than half of a tank, while reducing weight, can cause serious problems with a vehicle's fuel system. The impurities in gasoline settle in the tank of all cars. Running your car at lower fuel levels just clogs the filter faster and gums up the injectors. In addition it causes wear on the fuel pump. So it is a bad practice to get into.

Make sure all your gas is being used in combustion. Install good spark plugs and keep your distributor contacts clean. Replace the distributor cap and the rotor button. These are easy to replace with only a screw-driver, on most cars. Also use good spark plug wires. Fuel is no good if it is just wasted to exhaust.

Change your air filter every time you change your oil. It works for me.

Start driving around 15 to 30 seconds after startup. If traffic permits, accelerate only moderately until the temperature gauge is in the normal range. In my own experience, this took me from 12 mpg to 16 mpg on an 18 mile round trip to and from work and home.

The best increased gas mileage tactic is actually your own driving style. Do you often brake inconsistently and then speed up? How well do you pick up your speed at the traffic stops? Do you often rev up incorrectly when you change gears? These aspects are crucial before you delve into other methods. Always strive to step on the pedals lightly and gradually, and avoid jack rabbit start.

I would like to stress how valuable cruise control can be. I've ridden with too many people who bounce between (for example) 40 mph and 45 mph unnecessarily, just because they can't maintain a speed. That kills mpg, and cruise control alleviates that problem.

Depending on the distance you are going to drive, the difference in efficiency of a warm engine over a cold engine, doesn't outweigh the fact that the ZERO(0) MPG you are getting in the driveway warming up doesn't average in. For example, a 5 mile trip at a nominal 15 mpg is only 1/3 gal. A 10 minute drive at 15 mpg plus a 10 minute warm up at 0 mpg, equals 20 minutes at 7.5 mpg. If your car doesn't warm up in 5 miles, if it had half the mileage cold as it did hot, you don't break even. Only allow enough time to get some oil circulating, and take it easy until you've got normal range on the temperature gauge.

If you take your time and don't lose patience with the person in front who wants to drive the speed limit, your mileage will increase dramatically.

My truck is designed to get 21 miles per gallon. By driving wisely, I can get about 38 miles per gallon. 1. I take my foot off the gas about 100 yards before a stop sign/light. 2. I take my foot off the gas when I go down hills. 3. I try to keep the speed limit. 4. I accelerate slowly after stopping. 5. I make an effort every time I drive to see how much gas I can save. 6. I make a game out of it and try to top the mileage I got on the last tank of gas. It not only is a challenge, it makes each trip go by faster,too.

I have removed many gas tanks and have yet to see a "V" shaped tank. All the ones I have seen look roughly like a box with rounded corners. Here is the formula I use to check my mileage: Miles / gallons (as shown on the gas pump) not Miles / tank size

Anyone who believes that pumping gas when it's colder obviously doesn't know that the gas is stored underground where the temperature is 50 degrees in the summer, winter, at night and in the middle of the day. If you want to save on gas, buy softer tires (like the ones that come on a brand new vehicle). Car manufacturers put softer tires on new vehicles so they get better mileage, that way they can brag about it. Softer tires = less friction = better mileage.

Install a vacuum gage. Drive keeping the gage at maximum level.

Make a list of all the things that will require the use of your car; prioritize and plan them so that they can be done in one outing. Call your neighbors to see if they're doing the same things and consider riding together.

Gas weighs something, so less gas in a tank actually improves mileage. Try carrying around 10 to 15 gallons of gas and you'll see how much of a burden it can be.

Check the fuel filter, and replace it if needed.

Using factory recommended oil is good, but adding an oil additive (such as Lucas Oil Products) not only increase gas mileage (we're not talking 5 mpg or anything), but will ensure longer engine life if you change your oil and filter no more than every 3000 miles. The oil additives are a little more expensive, but they really are worth it.

I would suggest driving at 2000-25000 rpm (50-65 mph) when on the motor way instead of 80 mph +, as less power is needed in constant motion.

Headlights do use energy (more gas) but the amount is relatively insignificant. Never is it near a mile per gallon! Extra weight, open windows, air conditioning, and driving style affect mileage much more. It is, of course, totally useless to use headlights on a sunny day.

Once your get to your proper speed in high gear, slowly back off on the gas pedal until the gauge peaks and the speedometer starts to decrease. Now increase pedal until the speed is back and vacuum is peaked. It's almost like a cruise control.

Be active in community activities that address growth. New shopping centers and housing developments result in traffic problems. Stop and go traffic, long traffic lights and congested traffic problems reduce fuel economy.

The little story about driving with your tailgate down (pickups) is a myth. Air tunnel tests have been done showing that air funnels right past the bed.

Most engines use the least fuel when operating at low RPM. The best speed to drive is the lowest speed at which you can shift into your top gear. Also, the effects of wind resistance would not be significant at these speeds.

If you drive a pick-up truck, drive with the tailgate down. When it is up air pushes against it, causes poor gas mileage.

Since the engine's power is ultimately delivered to the transmission for the car's movement, replacing the old oxidized transmission fluid will help the transmission to better deliver engine power to the wheels of the car. This can help acceleration and reduce gas usage. The life of the transmission is also extended.

Try different brands of gas. One may give you better mileage than another. Also use synthetic motor oil.