Comments on How to Spend Less on Gas for Your Car

At high speeds, the coefficient of resistance significantly affects the gas mileage. High profiled vehicles such as rigs or those with flat backs (Element. Scion, SUVs) create a lot of drag particularly at high speeds. To reduce drag during long distance driving, I slightly open the back window of the cab in my P/U truck. My gas mileage improve noticeably. Airplanes are streamlined with this concept in mind. The same physical principle applies to automobiles.

At high speeds, the coefficient of resistance significantly affects the gas mileage. High profiled vehicles such as rigs or those with flat backs (Element. Scion, SUVs) create a lot of drag particularly at high speeds. To reduce drag during long distance driving, I slightly open the back window of the cab in my P/U truck. My gas mileage improve noticeably. Airplanes are streamlined with this concept in mind. The same physical principle applies to automobiles.

Engine Braking Car with advance engine management systems use little to no petrol when the engine is under full vacuum (engine braking). Not only does it save you some money compared to using free gear to roll down the street, it also prolongs your brake pad's life. Window up or down People argue that with the window down, air drag will cost you more petrol money. But in reality how much they will affect you pretty much depends on your car's aerodynamics. If you drive a sports car with a sleek body, it will affect you a lot, however, if you drives around in a box-on-4-wheels from the 70's, you might as well wind down the window as it won't affect too much. Automatic vs. manual Automatic tranny cars consume more fuel due to drive train loss. However, newer Toyota and Lexus cars with automatic transmissions are rated to have better fuel economy. The same goes for a lot of JDM cars with advance transmission systems and EMS that are rated to use less fuel than their manual counterpart. Fast or slow Driving fast certainly will cost you more petrol, but driving at 25 MPH isn't doing you any good either. What is the point of driving in 3rd gear all the time? Or accelerating so slow to get to the highest gear just because jack rabbit starts cost more petrol? The best way is to accelerate normally (follow traffic, so you won't hog the road) until you reach the highest gear and stay there. Most cars consume the less fuel in 1500-2500 RPM range. Big engine vs. small engine Certainly a Chevy small block will consume a lot more petrol than a 1 liter inline 4 engine. However, if you need to carry stuff or people, and drive in hilly terrain, you are better off with a higher capacity engine. It will cost you more petrol if you need to full throttle your poor little engine. Conclusion is to choose a car with an engine that suits your driving, you will save more that way. Turn off your engine I myself gained 20% more millage from a tank of fuel just by turning off the engine at every traffic light. My car had a 1.6 liter inline 4. Lighten your car Weight cost more petrol. So lighten your car. Get rid of everything that you don't need. If you can make do without seat cushions or leather wraps, then do without them. If you want to go to the extreme you can even start stripping all the carpets or sound insulation layer. Tire and wheels I know there are people who like big big wheels with low profile tires, sure, they look nice, but they are costing you a lot of petrol money. Bigger wheels are heavier, thus giving more rolling resistance. To save fuel, find the lightest set of rims that is big enough just to clear the rotors and calipers. Legal issue If you live in a place with little to no emission control laws and you don't care about the environment, then get rid of that catalytic converter. That thing is robbing power and adds restriction to the exhaust system. Same goes to air filter. You will gain more power or better fuel economy if you can reduce the air flow restriction of your engine.

It may defy intuition, but leaving your truck's tailgate up actually maximizes gas mileage! The reason? As air passes over the top of your cab, there is a circulating pocket or bubble of denser air that pushes the high-speed air right over your bed. Leaving that tailgate down eliminates your bubble and adds quite a bit of drag, reducing mileage as much as 2 or 3 mpg.

Engine Braking Car with advance engine management systems use little to no petrol when the engine is under full vacuum (engine braking). Not only does it save you some money compared to using free gear to roll down the street, it also prolongs your brake pad's life. Window up or down People argue that with the window down, air drag will cost you more petrol money. But in reality how much they will affect you pretty much depends on your car's aerodynamics. If you drive a sports car with a sleek body, it will affect you a lot, however, if you drives around in a box-on-4-wheels from the 70's, you might as well wind down the window as it won't affect too much. Automatic vs. manual Automatic tranny cars consume more fuel due to drive train loss. However, newer Toyota and Lexus cars with automatic transmissions are rated to have better fuel economy. The same goes for a lot of JDM cars with advance transmission systems and EMS that are rated to use less fuel than their manual counterpart. Fast or slow Driving fast certainly will cost you more petrol, but driving at 25 MPH isn't doing you any good either. What is the point of driving in 3rd gear all the time? Or accelerating so slow to get to the highest gear just because jack rabbit starts cost more petrol? The best way is to accelerate normally (follow traffic, so you won't hog the road) until you reach the highest gear and stay there. Most cars consume the less fuel in 1500-2500 RPM range. Big engine vs. small engine Certainly a Chevy small block will consume a lot more petrol than a 1 liter inline 4 engine. However, if you need to carry stuff or people, and drive in hilly terrain, you are better off with a higher capacity engine. It will cost you more petrol if you need to full throttle your poor little engine. Conclusion is to choose a car with an engine that suits your driving, you will save more that way. Turn off your engine I myself gained 20% more millage from a tank of fuel just by turning off the engine at every traffic light. My car had a 1.6 liter inline 4. Lighten your car Weight cost more petrol. So lighten your car. Get rid of everything that you don't need. If you can make do without seat cushions or leather wraps, then do without them. If you want to go to the extreme you can even start stripping all the carpets or sound insulation layer. Tire and wheels I know there are people who like big big wheels with low profile tires, sure, they look nice, but they are costing you a lot of petrol money. Bigger wheels are heavier, thus giving more rolling resistance. To save fuel, find the lightest set of rims that is big enough just to clear the rotors and calipers. Legal issue If you live in a place with little to no emission control laws and you don't care about the environment, then get rid of that catalytic converter. That thing is robbing power and adds restriction to the exhaust system. Same goes to air filter. You will gain more power or better fuel economy if you can reduce the air flow restriction of your engine.

It may defy intuition, but leaving your truck's tailgate up actually maximizes gas mileage! The reason? As air passes over the top of your cab, there is a circulating pocket or bubble of denser air that pushes the high-speed air right over your bed. Leaving that tailgate down eliminates your bubble and adds quite a bit of drag, reducing mileage as much as 2 or 3 mpg.

Take your foot off of the gas when you go down hills. It lowers the RPM'S making the engine work less hard.

Take your foot off of the gas when you go down hills. It lowers the RPM'S making the engine work less hard.

Gas weighs 7 pounds per gallon, so filling up on, say, 25 gallons is like carrying a 175-pound man in your trunk, cutting down your gas mileage. Instead of filling up, buy half a tank and the lighter weight will help you increase your gas mileage.

Gas is stored in underground tanks at 60 degrees fahrenheit and is pumped cold into your tank. The road reflects heat and a full tank will overflow. Don't fill past the second clickoff. Driving doesn't use up gas as fast as it expands.

Use the AC only if you can't bear the heat. And even then, only at highway speeds. When driving around town or under 40 MPH, it's perfectly fine to roll the windows all the way down to keep cool. At such low speeds, wind drag will have virtually no effect on fuel economy.

Keep your car clean. Sounds simple, and it is. The more bugs and bird droppings there are, there the more air resistance. So wash your car regularly and save some gas. Besides, your car will look nice, too.

It seems obvious that walking will save you gas money, but it's important to remember that your car works harder and uses more gasoline starting and stopping during short jaunts than if you left it sleeping in the driveway.

Always keep up with the manufacturer's recommendations relating to the gas you use. A higher octane is now always needed for all cars. Also, when changing your air filter, consider replacing it with a permanent one.

While rabbit starts are gas guzzlers, slow accelaration may also use more gas than necessary. Don't be a granny, either. Use a smoothe foot on the pedal.

The Australian media has recently discovered that several small gas stations dilute petrol with toluene (paint thinner). It is corrosive to rubber and is not intended for use in petrol engines. Beware cheap one-off stations, the big brands are a safer bet

A small engine uses less fuel. I know it's nice to drive a V8, but its efficiency is bad (1 liter on 4 km) a 4 cylinder (some 1 liter on 24 km) will safe you lots of money and the environment.

Consider riding a motorcycle. They use far less gas than cars do, and are more convienient in rush hour traffic. They are also more fun.

Save money on gas by using public transit instead of driving. City driving can tax your car and use tons of gas. Use public transit and relax on your way to work instead of dealing with traffic.

Look, unfortunately I'm speaking from experience. The trip to the gas station just isn't as fun as it used to be. I have to wonder if the trend toward these behemoth guzzlers isn't a little misguided! If you're gonna hit the road, lighten the load!

Slow and steady wins the race. Don't use a lead foot when driving long or short distances. Accelerate slowly to reach the speed limit.

Anticipate when you'll need gas. Watch the posted prices and look for one-day specials. Reset your trip odometer when you fill up and divide by the gallons to get your mileage. This is an early warning for a tune-up.

Studies show that fuel can evaporate from your tank if the cap is either loose or non-existent. Close the gas cap until you hear the ratcheting noise. If you've lost your gas cap (most cars now tether the caps) purchase a new one.