Gas Savings Tips That Don't Actually Work!

[MadMax]

Gas Savings Tips That Don't Actually Work!

Have you filled up your car lately and cringed to see how much a tank of gas sets you back? The average cost of a gallon of unleaded gas has climbed above $3, with predictions that international unrest may drive prices even higher. We still have to drive to work and/or school, so we look for ways to squeeze more miles out of that pricey tank -- but do those tricks you hear about amount to real savings? Here are six gas saving tips that don't actually work, and ways you can make the most of a gallon.

(Full Article)

Cheers! M2

[Bluevitz-rs]

The bottom line sums it all up, and that's how I've been driving lately. It does make a HUGE difference to accelerate slowly and I'm only shifting between 1500-2500 where I can.

[STC]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Cheers! M2

Ageed!

If you drive under 2,100 rpms and with an egg under the accelerator ... you are going to get good mpg's.

Cheers!

[Imagine]

Ok, I don't know about some of these. Anyone see the Myth busters prove that running AC does do a number on your mileage? They had a notable difference, and I've experienced the same. The drag was minimal.

[STC]

Originally Posted by Imagine

Ok, I don't know about some of these. Anyone see the Myth busters prove that running AC does do a number on your mileage? They had a notable difference, and I've experienced the same. The drag was minimal.

Probably running the AC all the time in stop and go traffic does affect mpg's... but on a minimal level. I do believe, the biggest gas savings are with driving style, driving area, and driving conditions. In that order...

Cheers!

[Tom48]

The best I remember on the show, was that , no difference. with/ with out ac on or off, windows down/up. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I have checked with the Yaris and there is no difference between ac on/off. 35 mpg either way.

[marcus]

i knew about the a/c which might work if your window is closed. but driving to camping with 2 people and fully loaded back and a/c on 100% 90% hwy 60 mile/hr still gave me 45.2 mpg..

[markweatherill]

I disagree with no.3, 'increasing tyre pressure'.

Because an increase in pressures can give a noticeable boost in mpg and while it does make a car handle differently it isn't lack of grip that does that.

[detroiter]

I disagree with the air filter one. Driving with a clogged air filter doesn't change fuel economy because of the OBD? That's like saying I can run a marthon in my shoes without soles just because I have laces still.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by markweatherill

I disagree with no.3, 'increasing tyre pressure'.

Because an increase in pressures can give a noticeable boost in mpg and while it does make a car handle differently it isn't lack of grip that does that.

Errrr, yes it does! By significantly increased the tire pressure, you are changing the contact patch of the tire. That leads to decreased rolling resistance but also sacrifices traction. If done smartly it can be manageable; but like everything else in life it's a trade-off.

Originally Posted by detroiter

I disagree with the air filter one. Driving with a clogged air filter doesn't change fuel economy because of the OBD? That's like saying I can run a marthon in my shoes without soles just because I have laces still.

Errrrrr....again, the car "adjusts" to the decreased airflow, but even with a very dirty filter it is minimal at best and still doesn't restrict airflow as much as it does allow crap going down the intake that you don't want there!

Honestly, do you notice some increase in gas mileage when you put in a new air filter? I never have, with this car or any other. It just makes good sense to replace it to keep the crap that it filters from getting into the engine.

The air conditioning one makes sense as well, the aerodynamics are greatly affected at speed with the windows down. At slower speeds it's not as bad, but on the highway at constant speeds it makes more sense to roll up the windows and use the a/c. In town with stop-and-go traffic, it will significantly decrease your gas mileage; but that's usually when most people want/need it!

Cheers! M2

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I'm just going to say a few things.

I have a SGII, and when I turn on the AC on the freeway, I take a 10 mpg hit. If I open either front windows or both, I do not see any mpg differences, so for the Yaris, AC does matter.

As for the tire pressure, I'll let you guys read this: http://www.officer.com/article/artic...on=19&id=27281

Clogged air filter? Since it'll reduce performance, people are going to mash on their gas more, so it'll cause a decrease in mpg, even if the ECU tries to compensate for a dirty filter.

[RawrDaddy]

Theres even been proven record on these forums
from a member doing cross-country trips
that A/C DOES infact alter mileage. duh. the engine has to work more - especially the fact that its a wittle 4 cylinder. but besides that - there was a max of 5 mpg difference in running with the AC on and without the AC on.

there were also LARGE jumps in mileage from driving 80mph highway compared to 60mph.
(about a 6-8 mpg difference)

its possible for us ALL to get 40 mpg and more.
anything around the 35mpg range (unless you do mostly city driving) you need to change your driving habits.

[RETRO]

Originally Posted by RawrDaddy

Theres even been proven record on these forums
from a member doing cross-country trips
that A/C DOES infact alter mileage. duh. the engine has to work more - especially the fact that its a wittle 4 cylinder. but besides that - there was a max of 5 mpg difference in running with the AC on and without the AC on.

there were also LARGE jumps in mileage from driving 80mph highway compared to 60mph.
(about a 6-8 mpg difference)

its possible for us ALL to get 40 mpg and more.
anything around the 35mpg range (unless you do mostly city driving) you need to change your driving habits.

In my car and I check fuel mileage ever tank. I see ZERO difference in running the A/C.I run the A/C from April to Oct..

[PETERPOOP]

Saw this on yahoo front page

[Bluevitz-rs]

For running A/C, if it takes 5hp to run it, that's 5% of the power of our little car. That'll make a difference in stop and go for sure. Now that same power loss on a car that has a big V6 or V8 that make 250+hp won't be noticeable at all.

And the air filter thing is true but only on vehicle with a MAF. Cars with Carburetors and MAP sensors will get hit the more restriction there is because of increased vacuum. The MAF simply reads airflow, so more restriction simply means less total performance. I've taped up an entire filter once only leaving 1sq in of exposed filter to simulate a mouse nest inside the air box during a training session at Toyota Canada. The car was still getting the same MPG but had NO power.

[ibanezjeepguy]

I'm sure toyota designs the filter box to have enough area that even after several 10's of thousands of miles theres still enough unclogged reserve for air to pass by to feed the engine. a/c myth is a good one. don't trust the scan gauge because its just telling you instantaneous results based on sensor feedback. truth comes in final calculation after fill up. I've done highway trips with fill up after both windows down no a/c and windows up full a/c and definitely the mileage winner was windows up by at least 5mpg in a small 4 cyl sedan. and old a/c system will not be as efficient possibly causing more power loss due to it wanting to lock up (lack of lubricating oil) probably someone doing a vacuum job and not refilling

[R2D2]

Thanks for the article, Lazanga. I agree, and my own experience would back this up. I have been running 60 psi in the Yaris for nearly 2 years now and all I have to show for it is brand new looking tires.

Part of my job is maintenance for a small fleet of Police Crown Vics-and ours don't run at the recommended 35 psi, either.

AC affects fuel usage in the Yaris. All my record tanks have been in the fall with days warm enough to provide good FE and cool enough to be tolerable without AC.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ibanezjeepguy

I'm sure toyota designs the filter box to have enough area that even after several 10's of thousands of miles theres still enough unclogged reserve for air to pass by to feed the engine. a/c myth is a good one. don't trust the scan gauge because its just telling you instantaneous results based on sensor feedback. truth comes in final calculation after fill up. I've done highway trips with fill up after both windows down no a/c and windows up full a/c and definitely the mileage winner was windows up by at least 5mpg in a small 4 cyl sedan. and old a/c system will not be as efficient possibly causing more power loss due to it wanting to lock up (lack of lubricating oil) probably someone doing a vacuum job and not refilling

Then consider yourself lucky. In the tanks that I've have considerable AC usage, I've had horrible gas mileage.

Also, BailOut and others have conducted multiple tests and research on all possible gas efficiency methods and have either proven or debunked them all.