Six Gas Mileage Myths

[EricF]

I still let the motor warm up for at least 90 seconds, don't care how new or old it is. why? I want the wait for the oil to flow and move and start to do something vs. jackrabbiting out & forcing the oil pump to push oil faster than it's ready to.
Old school method? yes. do I care? no. am I wasting fuel? sure. maybe an ounce if that? I'll live.

And BP would love for us to use premium.. they're gonna be broke after the white house gets done with them!

 

[FL_Rob]

I can really tell when the computer pulls timing using 87,the thing is always a dog,but on 87 its much worse,be it the age of the engine,air temperature etc.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Agreed - The warm FLA air is tough to make power in.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Generally likely all true.

Myth #7: Using thinner oil will improve your fuel mileage.

Well we'll find out about this when I start filling up my car after switching to 5W-20. Switched the day of my last fill up, and it definitely runs better, so who knows?

 

[NHHEMI]

I have to disagree with 2 of their so called myths...

Vehicles need to be warmed up before they're driven.

1st of all what has this got to do with MPG unless they are simply talking about idle time wasting of fuel? I actually agree with this from a wear and tear stand point. You never want to start a vehicle( cold start anyway )and just slam it into gear and go. This is especially true in cold weather. In warm weather give it 10-20 seconds and then go. In cold weather upwards of 30-60 seconds is a good idea. You have to let the fluids flow and start to warm up before you go. You don't need to wait 10 minutes but you should wait a few seconds anwyay.

Replacing your air filter helps your car run efficiently.

This is actually true regardless of fuel induction type. An engine is just a big air pump and anything restricting or reducing air flow hurts the engine's efficiency. I completely disagree with their claims that a clean air filter provides no gains.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Replacing your air filter helps your car run efficiently.

This is actually true regardless of fuel induction type. An engine is just a big air pump and anything restricting or reducing air flow hurts the engine's efficiency. I completely disagree with their claims that a clean air filter provides no gains.



I suspect they are assuming vehicles have O2 sensors and MAF sensors among others that limit fuel if the engine can't get enough air... inside normal operation less airflow efficiency just leads to loss of power, not loss of efficiency.

 

[tonycarguy]

What? You mean those magnets don't really improve fuel economy??? [censored]!

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: calvinnnnnnnnn
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Generally likely all true.

Myth #7: Using thinner oil will improve your fuel mileage.

i think BIG engines arent affected by this, but those with smaller engines are.

my 1.8l honda seemed to have lost a mpg just by switching to a thicker 30 weight. 10.5 to 11.5


Ah yes, my 4.9L inline six just doesn't care. I recall a guy who had a small car and whenever he wanted to pass someone he would turn off the air conditioner for better passing power. Now that is a small engine!

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Replacing your air filter helps your car run efficiently.

This is actually true regardless of fuel induction type. An engine is just a big air pump and anything restricting or reducing air flow hurts the engine's efficiency. I completely disagree with their claims that a clean air filter provides no gains.



I suspect they are assuming vehicles have O2 sensors and MAF sensors among others that limit fuel if the engine can't get enough air... inside normal operation less airflow efficiency just leads to loss of power, not loss of efficiency.


A loss of power IS a loss of efficiency and generally if you lose pwoer in a vehicle you will lose MPG as well. Just not buying this from them.

 

[Scooter_man]

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
I recall a guy who had a small car and whenever he wanted to pass someone he would turn off the air conditioner for better passing power. Now that is a small engine!


Haha, that sounds like my Metro - 1.0 3-cyl. I can't run the AC on the highway and climb a hill without it dogging down.

Myth or not, say what they want, some vehicles do run differently with premium vs regular gas. It's been seen too many times (many on here too) for there to not be something to this.


Rob

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Yep, high compression engine will produce more power with premium gas. Tacoma's advertised power dropped by a few ponies in 2007 when Toyota started using 87 vs 90 in it (for testing). Less power--more throttle/more gas to go the same speed.

I noticed the same thing in my Isuzu Axiom with 3.5L V6. I gain about 2.5 MPG with premium. ECU advances the timing, and I use less gas. I've been keeping track of gas mileage for the past 7 years on Axi. There comes a break-even point when it is not cost-effective to run the premium. Being an excel fanatic, I have a spreadsheet to help me figure it out. The BE point changes in winter when we get oxygenated fuel up here.

 

[FL_Rob]

Originally Posted By: Scooter_man
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
I recall a guy who had a small car and whenever he wanted to pass someone he would turn off the air conditioner for better passing power. Now that is a small engine!


Haha, that sounds like my Metro - 1.0 3-cyl. I can't run the AC on the highway and climb a hill without it dogging down.

Myth or not, say what they want, some vehicles do run differently with premium vs regular gas. It's been seen too many times (many on here too) for there to not be something to this.


Rob
You guys dont remember the a/c compressor full throttle cut-off/bypass switches on the 70's thru 80's?,even the big blocks,they'd have 'em.

 

[Virtuoso]

Our old Saturn SL1 would do that too. WOT would cut the compressor out for up to 10 seconds.

Driving around i80 it would happen a lot.