Five "Real" Fuel Economy Tips
When the price of gasoline hit over three bucks a gallon over the summer, there were all kinds of tips out there to save gas and maximize those miles per gallon. Most of them were rather generic, and offered nothing new.
I just returned from an 1100 mile road trip, and I did well on gas. We're talking real well, with over 25 miles per gallon, on a truck rated for 17 city and 21 highway. While this may be a little tangential for our site, I did want to share some of what worked for me, and I haven't seen written about elsewhere.
1- Keep the Tires Inflated
OK, we've all seen this discussed before. My difference is that I inflate the tires to within a pound of the maximum on the tire sidewall, and not just what the manufacturer recommends.
2- Keep a Low Profile
At highway speeds, optimizing the aerodynamics is quite important. In the 70+ degree weather, I drove with the windows up to maximize the aerodynamics. There was plenty of fresh air from the tilted up sunroof, and the climate control set to the lowest temp, no A/C, and the fan on low. Opening up the sunroof all the way creates too much drag. The configuration described was comfortable even in midday sun as long as I didn't have to stop (my side windows are tinted which keeps the sun out).
3- Know When To Go
Modern cars need no warmup time in warm weather. I made sure to adjust everything, and fasten the seatbelt with the car off.
4- Slip Slidin' Away
I've been using synthetic oil (manufacturer recommended 5W-30) in the crankcase. I do believe that is makes a significant difference in the fuel economy. It does cost triple the amount upfront, but after a few tankfuls, it does more than pay for itself.
5- Cruisin' Along
Whenever on the highway, I engage the cruise control. The onboard electronics can simply do a much better job than my right foot. By maintaining a constant speed, the engine works in a narrower range of rpm's, and the engine needs less fuel to maintain the speed.
Now that gas is a little cheaper, there may not be the same pressure to squeeze every last ounce of economy out of each gallon. Still, even with a modern multivalve, variable timed motor, these tips work quite well to save some gas along the way. With the money saved, we can put it towards some new computer gear.
--Jonas
I just returned from an 1100 mile road trip, and I did well on gas. We're talking real well, with over 25 miles per gallon, on a truck rated for 17 city and 21 highway. While this may be a little tangential for our site, I did want to share some of what worked for me, and I haven't seen written about elsewhere.
1- Keep the Tires Inflated
OK, we've all seen this discussed before. My difference is that I inflate the tires to within a pound of the maximum on the tire sidewall, and not just what the manufacturer recommends.
2- Keep a Low Profile
At highway speeds, optimizing the aerodynamics is quite important. In the 70+ degree weather, I drove with the windows up to maximize the aerodynamics. There was plenty of fresh air from the tilted up sunroof, and the climate control set to the lowest temp, no A/C, and the fan on low. Opening up the sunroof all the way creates too much drag. The configuration described was comfortable even in midday sun as long as I didn't have to stop (my side windows are tinted which keeps the sun out).
3- Know When To Go
Modern cars need no warmup time in warm weather. I made sure to adjust everything, and fasten the seatbelt with the car off.
4- Slip Slidin' Away
I've been using synthetic oil (manufacturer recommended 5W-30) in the crankcase. I do believe that is makes a significant difference in the fuel economy. It does cost triple the amount upfront, but after a few tankfuls, it does more than pay for itself.
5- Cruisin' Along
Whenever on the highway, I engage the cruise control. The onboard electronics can simply do a much better job than my right foot. By maintaining a constant speed, the engine works in a narrower range of rpm's, and the engine needs less fuel to maintain the speed.
Now that gas is a little cheaper, there may not be the same pressure to squeeze every last ounce of economy out of each gallon. Still, even with a modern multivalve, variable timed motor, these tips work quite well to save some gas along the way. With the money saved, we can put it towards some new computer gear.
--Jonas
posted by digitaldoc at 9:46 PM
10 Comments:
Although I can't remember where I saw it, there was a study done about fuel economy and air conditioning. Seems you get better fuel economy with the windows up and the A/C on because there is less wind resistance.
As always, fact is stranger than fiction!
I can guarantee you that's not true unless you're driving really fast for a really long time.
Point taken. I was referring to highway driving, not city driving. Of course aren't most of your cars high-horsepower muscle cars, Bill?
At constant highway speed with the cruise control on, in a late model auto, I've found that the fuel economy is better with the A/C on, and the windows up. I don't blast the A/C though as I use the two slower fan speeds.
Ah, not any more... My poor Camaro's stock 305CID engine is a measly 140hp and 245lb/ft of torque.
I said "late model" Bill.
Oh.... My '76 Camaro's AC's busted and it doesn't have cruise control anyway.
The '06 Jeep Liberty, OTOH, is a damn gasaholic with the AC on. Nope, don't belive it. Like I said, you'd have to be going very fast for quite a long time for that to apply. Somewhere there's a catch.
I had a '98 Civic that got 35-40mpg on the highway. It didn't matter if I went 55 or 95. I took a number of trips to Chicago, sometimes in traffic, some times not, the result was the same. I miss that car. Unfortunatly, I ran it into the ground, literaly, I drove it into a ditch and it rolled over 3 times, landing on the roof. But I did answer one question I had, You can get out of your seatbelt while hanging upside down. Just push the button and fall on you head...;-}
THAT explains it!
I think it all depends on the aerodynamics of the vehicle, and the Jeep may not exactly cheat the wind. Perhaps the phrase: "your mileage may vary" would apply here.
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