Tips for Better MPG...

[TxRabbit]

Our weather in Houston has been so much warmer recently, my normal MPG decreased dramatically.

Remembering an email that circulated once upon a time ago talking about all the things that actually affect loss of gasoline in your tank through vapor and mileage being affected by condensation, I filled up the tank at the half way point instead of just under 3/4. Bingo, back to normal mileage.

I'm sure some chemist could explain WHY but I remember simple things like filling your tank before the air to gasoline ratio went heavy on air. Fill up in cooler weather, or cooler time of day. Fill up on the slowest setting. Never fill when the underground tanks are being refilled.

Anyone else remember any simple increase your gas mileage tips? Especially with the summer gas prices headed our way...

 

[pixiedustaholic]

Make sure your tires are properly inflated and you have a clean air filter. Also remove any excess cargo...the heavier the vehicle, the more gas it sucks down.

 

[3boymthr]

Here are some simple tips that I picked up when reading a story on hyper-milers (people who get 75 mpg in normal cars like honda civics ) There were tons and tons of tips in there many of which I just can't bring myself to do like not running the AC or heat and never ever rolling the window down . But some are simple tips that help to increase your mileage by a few miles per tank.

When you go to a store park in the first spot you come to. Don't waste gas looking for a spot that is closer to the door - plus those extra steps are good for you. Try to get a spot that is a pull thru spot - it takes extra gas to back out of a spot.

Don't idle your car; when you go somewhere turn off the engine if you are going to be stopped for more than a few seconds. Letting your car idle can really really eat at your gas. This one I found to be particularly true; I was stuck in traffic one time and watched my mileage drop from 22 to 16 in about 1/2 hour .

 

[QVCshopper]

I often drive with the cruise control on. In my car, I can start it as low as 25 miles/hour. It goes off when I step on the brake, and I think it helps save gas--per some websites I read and my own tracking.

Also, never idle in line. But, that can be dangerous--so it's better to just go into the bank or McD yourself. Not always an option with young kiddos.

However, the best way to save gas is to combine errands and drive less. I go in loops everywhere so as to stop the run-out-and-get this mentality. I also try to walk to my kids school when I can. Every little bit helps.

 

[dawson5]

when approaching a red light, foot off the gas and coast as long as you can before hitting the brakes. So many people keep the speed up until they need to apply the brake. Keep an eye on your RPM's. Try to keep it smooth, if you gun your engine, you'll see it spike which means you're using a lot of gas.

 

[Belle2667]

when approaching a red light, foot off the gas and coast as long as you can before hitting the brakes. So many people keep the speed up until they need to apply the brake. Keep an eye on your RPM's. Try to keep it smooth, if you gun your engine, you'll see it spike which means you're using a lot of gas.

This also helps with brake wear. I do this all the time (for gas benefits) and I just replaced my first set of brakes on my car. 111,000 miles on the original brakes.

 

[bumbershoot]

Things I discovered when driving from San Diego to Disneyland in my brother's car....

when approaching a red light, foot off the gas and coast as long as you can before hitting the brakes. So many people keep the speed up until they need to apply the brake. Keep an eye on your RPM's. Try to keep it smooth, if you gun your engine, you'll see it spike which means you're using a lot of gas.

That was a huge one. My brother and his wife drive the way you say not to. Not only is it a bit dizzying, but it's horrid on the mileage.

The other thing I discovered during that drive is that if you just drive the speed limit, you do much better. My brother also drives fast, not horribly fast, but he doesn't sit at the speed limit in the right hand lane in southern CA...he's right out there with everyone else going fast.


He has a huge Dodge Durango that DS and I took up to Anaheim. I only used half a tank of gas for the round trip. He asked if I filled it up during the trip...I hadn't. I guess their trips normally take nearly a full tank of gas when he drives to Disneyland and back...compared to my HALF a tank.

It was the one time I was right about something with him!

 

[mrodgers]

It's all bogus. We have a 2006 Mazda Tribute. 19 city and 22 Hwy rating, I think. Complaints about gas mileage all over the net about this vehicle (rebadged Ford Escape basically.) Common complaints are 16 mpg.

For the first 2 years, my wife drove grocery shopping, taking her mom places, taking the kids places. Basic stay-at-home-Mom driving stuff, not daily. She drove very easy and very slow for 2 years. Her average mileage was 19-20 mpg every time I checked it.

I didn't drive it, I had another car for a work runner. That work runner though is quite old and would be out of commission as I found time to fix it, so I would take the Mazda daily to work for a couple of months at a time. I drive like a bat out of ****. I'm use to a little tiny underpowered 4 cyl that can't get out of it's own way. In the Mazda, I romp on the gas loving the acceleration I can get for the limited time I have with it until my car is back on the road. I'm driving to work, so I'm not wimping around at 35 mph on the back roads, I'm running pretty hard with the rest of the traffic cutting through. I'm whipping 50-60 mph or so on the back hilly country roads with folks behind me wanting me to kick it up a notch. I'm tossing it into corners enjoying it because a 2006 small SUV will out handle an old Nissan Altima with 168,000 miles and original shocks.

Any time I checked my mileage when I was the main driver of the Mazda, I consistently got 22-23 mpg.

Now in it's third year of ownership, Wifey went back to work. She no longer is out on her little easy errand drives. She's running 40 miles to work and she is driving in a more bat out of **** style. Last 3 tanks I checked, she was at 23-24 mpg. A big change from running nice and easy and getting the consistent 19-20 mpg she use to get.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

It's all bogus. We have a 2006 Mazda Tribute. 19 city and 22 Hwy rating, I think. Complaints about gas mileage all over the net about this vehicle (rebadged Ford Escape basically.) Common complaints are 16 mpg.

For the first 2 years, my wife drove grocery shopping, taking her mom places, taking the kids places. Basic stay-at-home-Mom driving stuff, not daily. She drove very easy and very slow for 2 years. Her average mileage was 19-20 mpg every time I checked it.

I didn't drive it, I had another car for a work runner. That work runner though is quite old and would be out of commission as I found time to fix it, so I would take the Mazda daily to work for a couple of months at a time. I drive like a bat out of ****. I'm use to a little tiny underpowered 4 cyl that can't get out of it's own way. In the Mazda, I romp on the gas loving the acceleration I can get for the limited time I have with it until my car is back on the road. I'm driving to work, so I'm not wimping around at 35 mph on the back roads, I'm running pretty hard with the rest of the traffic cutting through. I'm whipping 50-60 mph or so on the back hilly country roads with folks behind me wanting me to kick it up a notch. I'm tossing it into corners enjoying it because a 2006 small SUV will out handle an old Nissan Altima with 168,000 miles and original shocks.

Any time I checked my mileage when I was the main driver of the Mazda, I consistently got 22-23 mpg.

Now in it's third year of ownership, Wifey went back to work. She no longer is out on her little easy errand drives. She's running 40 miles to work and she is driving in a more bat out of **** style. Last 3 tanks I checked, she was at 23-24 mpg. A big change from running nice and easy and getting the consistent 19-20 mpg she use to get.

I am sure this will drive the hyper-milers crazy, but I sort of agree with this post. There are posts all over the internet about the Chevy Aveo I use to get to work being so bad on gas. When I first got it and baby'ed it, I was getting abou 19 MPG. Now that I have had it for a bit, I drive it slightly more aggressively (small engine as well) and am getting over 23 MPG. No other changes besides my driving habits. I couldn't believe it, but after some research most people who own this car say they get better gas mileage on the freeway running 70-80MPH, instead of the 55-65 that most do trying to eek out the MPG's.

Some cars are just designed to get their maximum performance at higher RPM's which get's them to an optimal operating temperature, so you may have to experiment to see what works for you.

With all that said, I do make sure the tire pressure is correct, regular maintenance etc. Maybe it's just finally getting broken in and working the way it should.

One other thing I did when I bought the car, was to disconnect the battery cable overnight to clear out the onboard computer. I was told (factually or not) that the ECM stores information about your driving habits to decide on fuel mixture, etc. I cleared out the old data by disconnecting the battery, with the theory being that now it is learning my driving habits, not the old owner.

 

[skiingfast]

I don't agree with much of this advice, and I'll admit that I probably have the most knowlege of the subject. Cars are very complicated and sophisticated. What worked 20 years ago will not trick the engine or transmission into better mileage.

Only do what you can control. Imagine when you drive that it is like riding a bike. Keep you tires inflated and glide as much as you can. It takes more energy to have the lights on, listen to music and run the air conditioning. It also takes more energy to move more mass, so keeping your car clean of trash, coins, cd cases helps. So does loosing weight. It's really just simple physics.