Comments on: How to Get Good Gas Mileage With Your Car

on 4/29/2007 the comment about stay below 55 saves gas is false for me. on a road trip from houston to dallas, I used medium grade fuel and stayed at a constant 90mph, and got 23MPG, but on the way back I drove the speed limit when it was posted and got 16mpg.

Also, using regular unleaded fuel is not the wise choice. Allthough the engine is made for regular, I run medium and get better gas mileage.

Car: 98 toyota 4runner SR5 4X4
Engine: 3.4L V6
Any Q's? motboy2@msn.com

on 3/6/2007 Full tank theory is a myth. I tested with 140000 miles of data and there is no correlation between gas mileage and full vs empty tank.

on 3/6/2007 Full tank is a myth. I just tested with over 140000 miles of data and there is no correlation between a full tank vs an empty tank with gas mileage.

on 8/8/2006 Putting the tailgate down allows the air to flow over the cab and put down force on the bed, which creates drag. Fighting drag creates a low fuel mileage. Keeping the tailgate up allows for a pressure pocket of air to keep the air moving over the cab and straight back the truck. I.e., its more aerodynamic.

on 8/8/2006 If you have a truck, leave the tailgate up. Putting the tailgate down is an old wives tale. Maybe it was true in the past, but it isn't now.

on 8/8/2006 I hear that switching lanes can use up a little extra gas. So staying in one lane and maintaining an even speed helps to reduce the amount of gas used.

on 8/8/2006 Tires on cars are rated something like max 44 psi. Most people have them between 30 and 35. Fill them to 40 if on smooth roads. I get 1-3 mpg more doing this. Also, cruise control can actually use more gas. It's proven on the show Top Gear. Cruise control uses a lot of electricity. The more you use, the harder your engine works to keep the battery charged. That means less gas mileage. Also, if you have roadside assistance or a warranty that you get free towing, then ditch your spare tire! Takes an extra 50 pounds out of your car. Drive like a granny! Who cares if it angers the guy behind you. He's also the one that drives fast and complains about gas prices. Buy a Saturn sc2, rated 35 mpg, I get 45. For gas, you can keep a 1/4 of a tank of gas but it is actually better to keep it full. Your fuel pump doesn't have to suck gas from your tank - result; less electric used better mpg. Turn the A/C and radio off. It's the perfect time to talk to you wife or husband or kids or parents. Gas; doesn't matter what time of day you get it, you won't get more than you pay. People say get gas early because it's colder and will warm and expand, this is true. It does expand, but it doesn't make a difference what time of day because it's 10 feet underground where the temp is constant all the time.

on 8/8/2006 With increasing gas prices, I've found that budgeting for fill ups works the best. It forces you to do the errands in one trip, stay away from spontaneous road trips, and helps pick better routes to do things in. I usually allow myself to fill up my car twice a week, and only up to $20 at the pump. With increasing gas prices it's usually cost $30 to fill up my car, but I find every time I go my gas tank is usually 1/4 full pre-fill up, so I have a nearly full tank when I leave. Try it out, you'll see a difference in your life and how much you now enjoy to find a more organized way of living.

on 6/30/2006 Watch your engine's RPM. The higher the RPM, the more gas the engine is using. At lower speeds (30 MPH), the engine will actually run at a higher RPM than it does at slightly higher speeds (45 to 65, depending on the size of the vehicle, gear ratios, etc.). Beyond about 60 MPH, your engine will run at the same RPM that it would at around 30 MPH. Again, these numbers depend on variables that differ from vehicle to vehicle.

Driving at 20-30 MPH not only causes your engine to run at a higher RPM than it would at 45-55 MPH, but it will also take you longer to get to your destination, which results in you using more gas because of the amount of time that your engine is running.

Basically, always check the route that you take when you decide to travel. Mapping out your route merely by distance is not always best; if you travel on small highways, city streets, or back roads that have low speed limits, your engine's RPM will be higher and you'll be traveling for a longer amount of time, both of which will consume more gas.

on 6/30/2006 For cars with manual transmissions, space your up-shifts as close as possible to reach a high gear quicker.

on 6/30/2006 Use a quart of a good, synthetic oil in every oil change to reduce engine friction. This will give you from 5% to 10% better mileage. It also increases engine life.

on 6/30/2006 Keep tires inflated to the maximum pressure indicated on the tire. Tire inflation numbers suggested by the automobile manufacturer are usually too low because the car maker considers ride quality when publishing the numbers.

on 6/30/2006 Living in the Midwest and northwest, with a Saturn Vue V6 AWD, I have found that with a K&N air filter (clean and setting it on 80
mph), I can get 28 mpg over the 65 to 75 mph at 21 and 22 mpg.

At this speed it reaches the best power/ weight ratio for the
rpm reached around 2000 to 2200 rpm. Tuned properly and in good clean condition. And yes, dirty cars produce more wind drag too. Which also affects mileage.

Like back in the 70's, most cars were set up for best running around 70 to 75, so when we slowed them down
with the 55 mph limit they used more gas than ever. Great for big city driving, but in the open plains not so good. More drivers doze off at the slower speed limits than at
the higher ones. Longer drive times are involved with this too.

on 6/30/2006 If you are pulling into a gas station and see their delivery truck, pass it by. A delivery to the station's storage tank will stir up any sludge on the bottom of the tank. Don't rely on the pump's filter.

on 6/30/2006 Traveling with your tailgate down on your truck does not decrease drag. Actually it increases it. The truck's tailgate, when in it's proper upright position, creates a bubble of circulating air in the bed space. All air blowing around and over your car is pushed away from the bed by this pocket, so no drag is created on the tailgate.

A lowered tailgate, however, has no air pocket, so as you drive down the road air drag is created along the length of the open bed. It's been proven over and over again, tailgates up = better gas mileage.