Gas Saving Myths

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Yep that's called "hypermiling." If you do this you're a "hypermiler" and smart too.

Here's the Ultimate Guide to Hypermiling. 100 ways to save on gas. Good read. Tons of info.

[OldDogDan]

Originally Posted by KeepsWhatHappens

Yep that's called "hypermiling." If you do this you're a "hypermiler" and smart too.

Here's the Ultimate Guide to Hypermiling. 100 ways to save on gas. Good read. Tons of info.

Interesting link, and lots of other links in it. Funny thing about the coasting in neutral (which out of habit I pretty much never do except as I'm coming to a stoplight where I'll be there a while) -- there is some debate about that because of modern engine controls -- on the VW TDI website they argue that the engine delivers less gas in gear with no throttle applied than it does in neutral at idle.

[BobBurnes]

I used to drop the tail gate on my truck thinking it helped...that was before I found out otherwise. I still see a few people doing that on the highway.

I only fill my tank to the half way point instead of fillin' er' up. Less weight to push around saves on gas and I go almost two weeks on the 1/2 tank.

Saves me some serious cash at the pump too. 50 bucks vs. 97. This works for all cars, light and small to big'n'heavies like mine.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

-- there is some debate about that because of modern engine controls -- on the VW TDI website they argue that the engine delivers less gas in gear with no throttle applied than it does in neutral at idle.

That's actually true for most modern vehicles.

[khai]

i look at my rpm. try not to go above 2rpm. i have a v6 4.3l truck.

[2wheel_lee]

It's said that the Cummins turbo diesel is most efficient with the EGTs at 600 degrees. And so if I'm focusing on mileage, I stay in that range, and I can get pretty good mileage...for an 8000 pound truck.

[Keith B]

Originally Posted by silverspot

One of my favorite episodes of MythBusters is the one where they 'tailgated' semi trucks... and the gas mileage improved dramatically - even at ~10 car lengths back. I find myself slowing just a bit and ducking behind a semi that's doing around 65mph just to pick up a few mpg when I can.

On a long road trip in the Civic we had 2 bikes on the roof and the thing was sucking down gas at 80mph. You could hear the turbulent air around the bikes on the roof, as we got closer to a large semi, the roar would die down and the car would accelerate towards the back of the truck with a constant throttle. Good example of how slipstreaming can help your gas mileage - of course not everyone wants to crawl along at truck speeds, doh!

[Burner]

Originally Posted by freekengo

LEE! When is the Element TDI comming out! I would buy one now! maybe 2!

or element hybrid, if honda already has hybrids, why not one in the "outdoor nature lover" car?

[DISCO]

I surprised no one else knew they could DOUBLE their MPG by simply adding a bottle of karo syrup to their tank. It will make a lasting impact for sure.

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by Burner

or element hybrid, if honda already has hybrids, why not one in the "outdoor nature lover" car?

I'd rather keep it simple and use the more efficient engine than to rely on electronic band-aid for more efficiency. BTU rating on diesel is much higher than gasoline. Also the torque would be nice to have. I don't like luggin' around a bunch of expensive batteries and the integration system to go with it. The possible repair bills scares the bejeezus out of me!

[evdog]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

now they may raise the speed limit to 70..
they did it in Iowa and crash rates did not go up, so supposedly CA is considering it
Theyre really trying to screw us into spending lots of Dough on Gas money

Just because the posted speed limit increases to 70 doesn't mean you have to drive that fast. As long as you're not creating a hazard by driving too slow its fine. And a lot of people seem to be driving slower these days so you won't be alone. Just stay out of the fast lane.

Originally Posted by silverspot

One of my favorite episodes of MythBusters is the one where they 'tailgated' semi trucks... and the gas mileage improved dramatically - even at ~10 car lengths back. I find myself slowing just a bit and ducking behind a semi that's doing around 65mph just to pick up a few mpg when I can.

Same principle as drafting on a bike. Except here what you save in gas you might pay out fixing rock chips

[spookydave]

I saved fuel by down sizing into a full size 1/2 ton truck. Sorry but that's the best I can do. I hate light duty trucks and and this one is no exception.

Wife still drives a 3/4 ton with big block power. She'll get her 12 MPG going fast, slow, behind you or over you so stay outta way. lol Good thing she only goes 1 1/2 miles to the train station.

[drclark]

Going 60-65 in my dodge, I can eek out almost 17-18mpg on the freeway. Driving at 75-80 that drops down to 13-14 mpg. On surface streets with lots of stop and go, I barely get 11 mpg. So we have been taking my fiancee's camry for most of our around-town errands and I only drive my truck on the weekends when we are going on day trips & such (or errands that require a truck).

drc

[COLEKO]

Originally Posted by khai

i look at my rpm. try not to go above 2rpm. i have a v6 4.3l truck.

On my Dodge Ram, I keep it under 2 on my tach. I use the torq of the motor to get me up to speed.

[duke777]

A turbo diesel Element would be bad a$$!

[spookydave]

Ok, then riddle me this.

Say I sell my gas hog (or park it as it's not worth selling) and buy a green car (or greener).
Say I drive 14K miles a year (I drive less).
I figure any car I'd want to drive will cost at least 25K so lets use that number. I'm sure it's low though.

Say I keep cars for 5 years (I'm a 10 year guy but most are not)
I get 11 mpg now in town (all I drive pretty much), how much better milage would you think I would need to get to be a head of the game in 5 years??
25K + 4 years of loan intrest + 70K miles of fuel cost =
Paid off truck + 70K miles of fuel cost =

I think I'm better off with my paid off gas hog.

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by spookydave

Ok, then riddle me this.

Say I sell my gas hog (or park it as it's not worth selling) and buy a green car (or greener).
Say I drive 14K miles a year (I drive less).
I figure any car I'd want to drive will cost at least 25K so lets use that number. I'm sure it's low though.

Say I keep cars for 5 years (I'm a 10 year guy but most are not)
I get 11 mpg now in town (all I drive pretty much), how much better milage would you think I would need to get to be a head of the game in 5 years??
25K + 4 years of loan intrest + 70K miles of fuel cost =
Paid off truck + 70K miles of fuel cost =

I think I'm better off with my paid off gas hog.

The car would be a smarter buy than the full size truck. Not a "fair" example, but you also have to consider the lower registration(my truck costs $650 vs car cost $225), cheaper to maintain( 4 spark plugs vs 8, 4.5 quarts of oil vs 10quarts for truck, cheaper tires, cheaper brakes, etc....) The insurance is cheaper on my car in comparison to my truck also. Playin' devils advocate. I have both and about the same price point vehicles.

[spookydave]

spark plugs will out last the car. I have yet to change them in my truck. Tires last me 4 years these days. I change my oil every 6K so that's only 2 times a year.


And like I said, truck is paid for now.

I'm tossing this around as our Surban is what would get replaced. But man, is it a nice rig. All leather, power every thing, good power. Would be hard to give that up for a budget car.

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by spookydave

spark plugs will out last the car. I have yet to change them in my truck. Tires last me 4 years these days. I change my oil every 6K so that's only 2 times a year.


And like I said, truck is paid for.

I'm tossing this around as our Surban is what would get replaced. But man, is it a nice rig. All leather, power every thing, good power. Would be hard to give that up for a budget car.

Like I said, playing devils advocate. If you're looking for a nice vehicle, I just delivered a couple that would beat the SUB hands down in the luxury department.

BMW M5 Estate Wagon! 500+hp V-10 super wagon! around town it gets over 18mpg 20+ on the highway. Nothing like a station wagon that'll do 180mph
It even handles great!


OK, a little extreme example I suppose......

[dirtvert]

Originally Posted by EJ_92606

I've started looking far ahead on city streets and if the light is red, I drop the car in neutral and coast up to it...its amazing how far you can coast in neutral. It seems to have added about 1-2mpg on my car and I get to my destination at the same time as I would have.

i love this one. it especially works on roads where you know the patterns of the lights. there's a section of brookhurst in h.b. that i coast for over a half mile every day because i know it's going to turn red before i get there.

also, i turn off the car sitting at red lights. i've heard that turning the engine off for 20 seconds saves enough gas to drive for 1 mile (myth?).