Ways to save gas.

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My car's glove box has a heavy steel plate in the door, holding the lock and to weigh it down so the door stays open properly. You can easily pry it open with a screwdriver, so I could probably live without that plate.

A full tank of gas weighs about 115 lbs, so keeping it 1/4 full would save weight, if you're really fanatic. I haven't calculated what it costs to carry that extra gas.
 
Lately, I do a lot of two-wheel driving to reduce drag and to save space.
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http://www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org/resources/images/Mini_news_car_en.jpg
 
It's illegal not to have wipers.

Remove the right hand outside mirrors. (Left side for down under.)
Tape up the seams between the body panels.
Install lowering springs and an air dam, as well as wheel housing covers.
Run four compact spare tires inflated to max.
Disconnect power steering belt.

A new fuel cap would reduce evaporation, if the old one's shot.
 
The pressure on those tires must be pretty high to do that, the sidewalls aren't even compressed in, my tire sidewalls are weak as well. I still don't see why that won't derim the tire or cause a blowout but it sure is cool.

Ticket for reckless driving, totalled car, medical bills = 10's of thousands.
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Fun of driving on two wheels = Priceless.
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I've improved my gas mileage 5 mpg from 17 mpg to 22 mpg simply by changing my driving habits of acceleration, braking, and knowing when the lights will turn red. I drive the same basic 2 routes(4 trips, to and from college and to and from work) every single day so I know when the lights change and I can anticipate the traffic well. I can also combine trips well because every errand that might come up will fall somewhere between the routes 90% of the time. It's only a pizza run or an emergency grocery visit or other special run that I ever need to take short trips.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Tosh:
It's illegal not to have wipers.

Remove the right hand outside mirrors. (Left side for down under.)
Tape up the seams between the body panels.
Install lowering springs and an air dam, as well as wheel housing covers.
Run four compact spare tires inflated to max.
Disconnect power steering belt.

A new fuel cap would reduce evaporation, if the old one's shot.


Its also illegal to change lanes without signaling , to speed, to do rolling stops, to cut off other drivers yet most people do it on a daily basis. Other the other hand its dumb and down right dangerous to remove the passenger side mirror, not to mention illegal if the car came equipped with one from the factory.
Some cars do a good job of hiding the wipers under the back side of the hood. But most still have the wipers sticking out in the middle of the air stream on the wind shield. I don't use my wipers from April to October. If I need them, I can have them on the car in less than 2 minutes.
 
quote:

Originally posted by JAYCEE:
What about a new fuel cap for older vehicles. I just replaced the cap on an '89 Mazda. The rubber seal was gone.

Will this help milage?


I recently read this thread, and am curious too see if his improved fuel mileage continues or if it's just a fluke not attributable to the new gas cap.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Tosh:
And when you combine your trips, string them together in a clockwise loop, so you're only making right turns.

That doesn't work too well in this state (Virginia). There are a number of places where trying to only make right turns would add 5, 10, even 15 miles to your trip. Of course that would work well in "public land" states (most all except the 13 original colonies) that were long ago surveyed into neat little square-shaped parcels of land.
 
Throttle position and engine load are directly linked. I feel that it's criticial to minimize the throttle opening for optimum fuel efficiency. If you upshift too early, you'll require a little more throttle pressure to maintain your speed, and since you're increasing load, you are actually using more gas in the higher gear.

Converse momentum. Don't accelerate if you are going to have to slow down. Learn to coast. On every hill reduce throttle pressure, and completely remove your foot from the gas on steep hills. You shouldn't be going from the gas to the brake, there should almost always be a period of coasting before you brake.

But really, the best thing you can do to save gas is find the right car for your lifestyle.
 
This is what I got from my computer ... I had it sent to me from someone, but anyway thought of sharing it with you guys...

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We have all seen the price of gasoline shooting up to record levels around the country with no relief in sight. If telecommuting and pubic transportation are not viable options for you, here’s some advice to squeeze every mile you can out of every gallon of gas you buy.

Tires
Monitor your tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. It is estimated that at least a third of us drive around with at least one under-inflated tire. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual. Be sure to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

Air Filters
Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. MIJUSA recommends changing your car's air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's manual.

Engine Performance
Keep your engine operating at its "peak efficiency." A well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model. A misfiring spark plug can greatly reduce gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, failed emissions etc.) corrected. If your car has a faulty oxygen sensor, your gas mileage may improve as much as 40 percent or an engine that grinds for ten seconds before firing up wastes enough gas to take you two miles. Don't skimp on maintenance. Be serious about auto care. Your car's performance depends on it.

Gas
If your car uses regular gas don't waste money on buying premium, if you don't have to. You won't get any better mileage or performance and you'll just waste that extra ten or fifteen cents a gallon. Check your owner's manual to see if your engine does need premium. Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use? Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fuel up your car. According to the Car Care Council, one out of every five vehicles on the road has a gas cap that is either "damaged, loose or are missing altogether. Park in the shade whenever possible, the hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank.

Oil
Changing your engine oil on a regular basis as recommended in the vehicle owner's manual will help lubricate the engine, minimize friction and carry away excessive heat, all of which will lead to greater fuel efficiency. Use the lowest multigrade of oil recommended in your vehicle owner's manual.
Oils which carry the label "Energy Conserving" indicate they have been treated to be as slippery as possible and can reduce fuel consumption.

Vehicle
Get rid of excess weight by removing unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. After family vacations, make sure you remove all unnecessary items, including that roof-top cargo carrier. Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on -- assuming that the system is in good working order. If possible, try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups. Also consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle for commuting.

Driving
Consolidate your daily trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions. Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family. Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon. Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control. (You'll help your brakes and suspension system last longer, too.)

These tips will not only save gasoline, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle.

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What about a new fuel cap for older vehicles. I just replaced the cap on an '89 Mazda. The rubber seal was gone.

Will this help milage?
 
Let's argue about the assumption that cruise control always saves gas. Even up gentle hills, having the cruise on causes the tranny to downshift. I say increase your momentum by speeding up downhill and saving gas by slowing down going uphill.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Tosh:
Let's argue about the assumption that cruise control always saves gas. Even up gentle hills, having the cruise on causes the tranny to downshift. I say increase your momentum by speeding up downhill and saving gas by slowing down going uphill.

Cruise control varies a lot from car to car. In most cases its effective at saving gas on very flat gound. But as soon as elevation starts to change, fuel economy is out the window. On my Volvo the cruise control is obsessed with staying within 1 mph of the set speed. It will do anything including wide open throttle and down shifting one or even 2 gears just keep that speed. A total waste in my opinion.
 
this is the question i need answered !

i use my cruise control at least 70 % of my driving maybe more. for me i think it saves me gas but anyone know for sure ? it seems to me when i control the pedal i rev more.
 
I don't think cruise control is as important with FI. With carbs, every jiggle of the gas pedal, and the accelerator pump dumped gas into it. However, it is unacceptable to be continually speeding up and slowing if there is much traffic around you. Same for accelerating out from a light. If you encourage others to creep away from the light, you are the one that will be stopping while the line of cars sets there waiting to get moving. The increasing price of gas is no excuse for inconsiderate, selfish driving.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Arctic388:
this is the question i need answered !

i use my cruise control at least 70 % of my driving maybe more. for me i think it saves me gas but anyone know for sure ? it seems to me when i control the pedal i rev more.


I can't speak for your application but I always get better MPG by not using the cruise control. The difference is small, maybe 1 or 2 MPG, but it is always there.
 
Biking/walking/bus/train are great if it is convenient for the person.
The amount of fuel consumed in order to produce the extra food needed should be considered.
We typically burn more fuel producing/delivering/storing the food we eat in a year when compared to the amount of fuel used in commuting.


When gas hits $5+ a gallon, the SUVs will slowly be put out to pasture or recycled into 2-3 "small cars". I'm already beginning to hear these owners complaining about the cost of fuel. I just laugh and say "drive less", or "you should've bought a more efficient vehicle".
 
I forsee a cruise control with an "economy" setting for the mountains that keeps speed with a range, not at an exact number. The rolling hills I travers when driving from Abilene TX to Austin Tx and back are not steep, and my TDi just whistles a little harder from the turbo when I ascend a grade. Still, I think letting a little speed burn off and letting it be regained on the downslope might net one a couple extra mpgs.
 
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