Fuel Saving Tips? We want Yours!

[KingFisher85]

Here are the ones that I have found. With gas price's being the way they are, an extra mile or ten can help. So what tips have you people that have been driving for a while notice that helps get better gas mileage? Like modifications to your truck, car, and other tips that anyone can do?

Fuel Saving Tips

Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon.
Keep your tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to 1 mile per gallon.
Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.
Use your air conditioner sparingly. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miles per gallon under certain speeds and operating conditions.
Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a couple of minutes.
Plan your trips carefully. Combine short trips into one to do all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hours if possible, to reduce fuel-consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Consider joining a car pool.

[1pump]

A lot of pickup owners drive with their tailgates down to cut wind resistance. Just be careful when backing since this makes your vehicle about 1-1/2' longer. Crunch!

[wannacatchem]

Go to any auto parts store and look for a "gator gate" or something like that. It's a web you put in place of the tailgate. When I was driving a dodge with a V10 motor, I had one, gave me about 2 miles to the gallon extra. That meant I was up to about 12 mpg. Sold it when gas went to 1.25 a gallon.

[Mad Mikey]

>>>Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions. <<<<

Not only that but imagine if everyone on our local freeways learned how to do this, lesson two would be "merging from an on-ramp"....
I've wondered about that tailgate thing though, 2mpg extra???
I just sold my big truck and got a smaller one, partially for fuel economy. I may try that tailgate thing after I get a baseline off of my new trucks' mileage so I can compare.

[k9jeff]

The tailgate thing works...I took mine off.
I have also been told to use cow magnets on the fuel line. The magnets do something to the fuel prior to getting into the carb which causes better milage...dont know if it works.. I remember it was big in the 70's for a while.

I am purchasing a small commuter car to save in mileage....my truck is killing me....

[KingFisher85]

Will have to try one or all of these :grin:

I also have been told that flowmasters help improve your gas mileage. Is this true? and about how much does it help?

[HOOKUP]

Dont take the boat out! It gets much better gas milage sitting in the garage

[Snapset]

Ride your bike to work. It is the patriotic thing to do.

[Cool Texan]

I only drive my Durango down-hill when I drive to work. Fortunately, it's down-hill both ways. :grin:

I dont have many techniques...I'm usually running late, so I am driving with a lead foot...not a good thing in a gas hungry Durango. But, until my wifes car is paid off, its my only option.

[notaclue]

I switched vehicles with my wife, since she drives further. Now she is in my plain jane stripped down S-10 and I now drive her totally loaded 4-Runner. She is not happy but I keep telling her were saving money.

[jokester]

Not only that but imagine if everyone on our local freeways learned how to do this, lesson two would be "merging from an on-ramp"....

Don't even get me started on that I totally agree with you there!!

Like Snapset said, you've also got the option of riding your bike around on sunny days if you're not too far away from your destination!

-jokester

[Corkie Monster]

Buy a 1991 Honda Civic :smile:. I got 48 MPG last month when I drove back from La Pine OR . And that was with a Mt. Bike on top creating drag.

CM

[Cool Texan]

48? Wow. I dont know if my Durango can get 48 MPG while sitting in the driveway...turned off!!

[KingFisher85]

<---- Needs motor for Toyota Celica :grin:

[Corkie Monster]

I was amased myself. had to do the math a few times. It only took me 3.65 gallons to drive 175.6 miles.

CM

[Cool Texan]

It would take me just over 10 gallons to do the same. Ouch!

[Jennie@ifish]

...and the number one fuel tip!
Be like me! Don't go anywhere!

Jen

[Maverick Maxcat]

Two ideas;

1) Switch to diesel. They get about 50% better mileage than gas engines. (And pull SOOOOO much better!!)

2) Install a performance chip. We gained about 15% on mileage AND 125 hp when we chipped our '02 Duramax.

MM

[FallRiverGuy]

I gained a few mpg in my Tacoma when I replaced the paper airfilter with an Amzoil one.

[RvW]

Make sure your idle RPMs are proper (many gas engines average 750)
Keep the car clean. Good platinum plugs and a quality air filter such as K&N helps. Timing check and quality oil too.

Plan ahead! Map your routes and take care of business in fewer trips.

Carpool.

[Dinikin]

You must have one in 100 engine. Not saying your statement is not true, but trying to explain that engines from the same family are made diffirent. Since, when engine is build there are some tollerences + -. But the engine you have was made almost perfect. Therefore here is mine tip.
BLUEPRINTING the engine. It will be more balanced, stronger, more power, hence much better fuel economy.

[Corkie Monster]

Dinikin

So how would I go about Blue printing this engine? I am actually looking to have this engine rebuilt soon. (177,000 miles now). If this is what might be a perfect engine or 1 and a 100 I would love to keep it that way. This car doesn't always get that kinda milage. On the average about 35 to 45 on the Hwy.

Thanks
CM

Rope. :grin:

[Joe Schwab]

The A/C thing is a wash unless you can tolerate extreme temperatures in a vehicle. If you turn off the A/C and roll down the window you defeat the whole purpose. The new cars are made to run efficiently with the windows up.
I'm going to opt for comfort when the temp gets above 80.

Cut out the stops to the latte stands and put that in your tank. Much better deal.

[Dinikin]

Dinikin

So how would I go about Blue printing this engine? I am actually looking to have this engine rebuilt soon. (177,000 miles now). If this is what might be a perfect engine or 1 and a 100 I would love to keep it that way. This car doesn't always get that kinda milage. On the average about 35 to 45 on the Hwy.

Thanks
CM

Here is some idea
Bluepriting

The idea is to make the engine as "perfect" as possible.
IF the gas price will be going up it would make sence, since it costs some money around 600-1000.
Rebuilding and blueprinting is kinda like killing 2 rabbits at once, but at the same time makes it alittle more complex, since the Cars Brain, will need to bee twiked to accept new parameters. It is mapped to certain values. As is, the car you drive some how is balanced to produce great results. Doing major things to it might disturb that.

[stilly bum]

"Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions."

No, driving close to the vehicle in front of you is called DRAFTING. It should increase mileage by reducing wind drag. It works for race car drivers. :grin:

I've increased my mileage by 1-1.5mpg just by accelerating slower and doing a lot more coasting before stop signs or turns.

[Cool Texan]

No, driving close to the vehicle in front of you is called DRAFTING. It should increase mileage by reducing wind drag. It works for race car drivers. :grin:

I'll remember that the next time I'm doing 150mph on I-5. Otherwise, I doubt that has any impact other than causing road rage.

[ampersat]

I drive Tigard to Troutdale every day along I5 and 84. I've definitely noticed that folks are driving a lot closer to the speed limit these days.

As for drafting, yes indeed it works, both for the lead car as well as the cars that are trailing, by reducing the leading and trailing air drag on each vehicle. If you can find an 18 wheeler going your speed, tuck in behind him and stay 3-4 car lengths behind. You can actually feel the draft suck you along as you drop to the back of the pocket. Yeah, it's a little unsafe to run that close but it will make a difference in your mileage. Your other option is to draft another car but that means getting a lot closer.

The one thing I've started doing is using my cruise control. It's a lot smoother than my right foot is and all the different controls on my steering wheel keep me from "meeting my fellow driver" on the highway.

[Dipnet]

Rope. :grin:

Dipnet

[Cool Texan]

Behind an 18 wheeler, yes. Behind someone's Honda Accord, doubtful. I could be wrong...its happened once before, many years ago, so who knows.

Either way...my Durango is horrible on gas, and I have to drive from NE PDX to the Tualatin area.