Fuel-Saving Tips That Waste Gas
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September 3, 2008
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)Are you as desperate as I am to save fuel? If so, you've probably been going crazy trying to improve your car's fuel efficiency.
While I haven't resorted to extreme fuel saving measures--like turning off my air conditioner and rolling up the windows in the middle of summer--I have done quite a bit of research in hopes of finding some useful efficiency tips.
But I've discovered a dark side of fuel-saving: tips that do more harm than good.
Gas-wasting tip #1: Accelerating extremely slowly.
Punching your vehicle from 0-60mph in 6 seconds doesn't help fuel economy, but neither does accelerating at a snail's pace. While accelerating slowly may seem like a great strategy, it actually bogs down the engine and uses more fuel. Not to mention it's extremely annoying...
Keep your bank account healthy and find a happy accelerating medium.
Gas-wasting tip #2: Turning the air conditioner off and rolling down the windows on the highway.
Rolling down a vehicle's windows creates extra drag, making the engine work harder. In most newer vehicles, it's actually more fuel efficient to roll up your windows and enjoy the cool breeze of the air conditioner.
Besides, who wants to battle mid-summer rush hour without air conditioning?
Gas-wasting tip #3: Trucks driving with the tailgate down.
While it may seem like a good idea to lower a truck's tailgate, doing so actually decreases fuel economy. When a truck's tailgate is raised, a protective air bubble will form in the bed, making the truck a bit more aerodynamic.
So next time you spot someone driving with their tailgate lowered, do them a huge favor and give them a link to this blog posting.
Gas-wasting tip #4: Driving halfway across the city to buy cheaper gas.
This is the most ridiculous tip of all. "Gas is $3.90 down the block, but it's $3.86 five miles down the road. Hmm..."
Unless you're going to save a substantial sum, just fill up at the nearest gas station. The gas you burn travelling to a more distant location will easily eliminate any savings you might enjoy. How much money are you really going to save by buying gas at a station that's $.04 cheaper anyway? A quarter or two per fill up?
Even if you do save a little, isn't your time spent sitting in traffic worth anything? How about the extra smog you're releasing into the atmosphere? Wear and tear on the vehicle? Not to mention the extra risk of getting into a car accident.
Here are some simple fuel-saving tips you can count on: drive slower, smoothly, and as seldom as possible. And if you can afford a hybrid, buy one.
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Keep your tires properly inflated: Having the tires under-inflated by a few pounds will lower your fuel economy by at least a few miles per gallon.
Get the junk out of your car: If you don't need it in your car, get rid of it. This includes the spare tire, ski racks, and luggage, as excess weight lowers fuel economy.
Change the air filter at the appropriate time: Not only does a dirty air filter lead to lower fuel economy, it also robs horsepower from your engine.
Wow. Great fuel saving tips Robert. I especialy like #4.
I was wondering if you know of any research to support the use of cruise controlin smooh ciy drivingto save fuel?
I'll check back for the answer next week.
Thanks.
Hi Glenn,
Cruise control is an effective way to enhance fuel economy. Cruise control prevents drivers from inadvertently increasing their speed over the recommended 60mph, and reduces unnecessary surges in speed. Edmunds.com reports that utilizing cruise control can increase fuel economy by up to 14%.