3rd gen V economy mods
03-07-2011, 08:21 AM
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3rd gen V economy mods
Looking to improve mpg's on my 07 fwd V.
I'm not sure I want to go with 0w30 oil because I'm in FL and our summers are very hot and very hard on engines.
Thinking K&N drop in filter for the filter box. Not sure if I want to do the civic SI K&N intake mod or not. Not sure if I'd see a mpg increase that way or just be more lead-footed.
Anyone else try any hyper-miling techniques on the 3rd gen?
I'm wondering how much compatibility there is between this K24 and the TSX in terms of maybe pulleys or something.
35 mile commute every day, and towing a pop-up camper occasionally (which I really want to maximize mpg's towing that sucker).
I did notice that the factory exhaust is tiny. Like 2". Also looks like there's room in there for dual exhaust ala s2000, haha.
I'm not sure I want to go with 0w30 oil because I'm in FL and our summers are very hot and very hard on engines.
Thinking K&N drop in filter for the filter box. Not sure if I want to do the civic SI K&N intake mod or not. Not sure if I'd see a mpg increase that way or just be more lead-footed.
Anyone else try any hyper-miling techniques on the 3rd gen?
I'm wondering how much compatibility there is between this K24 and the TSX in terms of maybe pulleys or something.
35 mile commute every day, and towing a pop-up camper occasionally (which I really want to maximize mpg's towing that sucker).
I did notice that the factory exhaust is tiny. Like 2". Also looks like there's room in there for dual exhaust ala s2000, haha.
03-07-2011, 05:27 PM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
Have you looked on gassavers.org? The stuff that works for any other car to save gas is also going to work for a CRV.
1. Join www.gassavers.org
GasSavers is a community of gas economy enthusiasts. Whether you want to save cash, the planet, or just reduce our dependency on foreign oil, you are more than welcome to join people like you who are interested in saving gas and cash!
By becoming a member you can easily track your gas consumption and you can chat to others like you and exchange tips and tricks.
2. Keeping an eye on what you use
First things first, in order to find out if you are saving gas you must know how to calculate how much you are using - gas consumption.
Gas consumption is the amount of gas required to move a car over a given distance. The gas efficiency of your car or truck can be calculated in mpg (miles per gallon).
The maths is simple but we suggest you use our Gas Calculator which can be found at www.gassavers.org in your 'garage' it takes care of all the maths for you and also gives you a record of your mpg, and shows what you are saving if you follow our tips below. You must remember to have two important bits of information handy when you use the Gas Calculator:
(i) How much gas you put in the tank.
(ii)How many miles you traveled on that tank of gas.
So now you can keep track of just how effective your gas saving efforts are!
It is always important to know that you are actually being rewarded for your effort, and we can't stress this enough, your reward is saving gas, and saving gas means more cash for us and that is the best type of reward.
3. Mass Transit
Leave your car in the garage and take the bus, train or metro into town or to work.
If you can rearrange your day so that you are not traveling on public when the rest of the public is traveling using mass transit after the rush-hour can be rewarding, peaceful and if you want a time to do a bit of work or just daydream.
4. Regular Carpooling
If you drive to one place most days like say going to work or college, check out your colleagues/friends and see if they drive in, between the two of you, there are six (minimum) spare seats, so share the car and share the cost and remember when you and your colleague are driving it is likely that the back seats are vacant fill them.
Imagine only having to drive the daily commute once a fortnight or less! And while you are doing that, just think of the savings you will all make on gas and that is cash in your pocket don't forget!
If there isn't anyone at your place of work who is on your route it might be a good idea to see if you can use a car-sharing services like http://www.zipcar.com.
5. Observe speed limits
Wind drag accounts for almost 25% of the fuel consumed to drive your vehicle. Each additional 10 mph of highway speed can reduce fuel economy by about 4 mpg
6. Telecommuting
Try Telecommuting, today, upward of 12 million employees telework more than 8 hours per week ands by 2009, 14 million workers will not be driving into the office. Telecommuting frees us from the slog into work and back. Just think all of that time you spend traveling to work if you telecommute it is yours, work when you need to or do something for yourself it is your time you have saved.
7. Move Closer to Work
If you can't telecommute then consider moving, living closer to work means you could walk, jog or cycle, and moving closer to work doesn't mean moving house, there may well be a job for you locally, keep your eyes open and your costs down.
8. Park and Ride
These days rural areas are less well served by mass transport than metropolitan ones, to get around this problem it might be possible to take the car to a park and ride car park and leave the car there all day while you are whisked into work. Or maybe a family member could drop you off.
9. Carpool then Park and Ride
If you carpool then you can also park and ride too. There are no rules here do what suits you just think clever and your costs come down.
10. Park and Ride then cycle
Don't forget that you could park at the park and ride and take your bicycle into the city! Save time, get fit and weave in and out of the traffic jams!
11. Fouled gas injectors
Ask a mechanic to look for fouled gas injectors. Change them as necessary.
12. Check your spark plugs
Ask a mechanic to check the gap on your spark plugs. Adjust or replace as necessary, incorrect spark timing can serious effect your vehicles gas efficiency.
13. Keep your engine tuned up
A properly tuned engine will run efficiently and use less fuel.
14. Check your fuel ratio
An incorrect fuel ratio can have a big effect on gas mileage.
15. Plan your route
Plan more efficient routes if you drive in traffic.
16. Air filters
Check your air filter. If it is dirty or old, replace it.
17. Think about how you overtake
Think about what you are doing when you are on the road, if there is a car overtaking another car ahead, where is the point in racing up to the back of the slower vehicle and joining a queue? Take it easy and save gas, you can over take when there is a space.
18. If something changes
If you notice a significant change, then something has changed with your vehicle and you should take it immediately to your dealer and have it checked over, it will be costing you money.
19. Cycling
If you are up to it leave your car in the garage cycle the whole way. Again if you usually car pool or your neighbors go to the city on your route get some company, make saving gas fun!
20. Walking
Like cycling above but without the bike!
21. Ad hoc car sharing
Save gas - drive with a friend!
Ok so we have 'borrowed' a slogan usually referring to bathing, but it isn't a joke! If you are going anywhere it is a good idea to find out if anyone else is going your way or needs a ride, the company will be nice and if you drive this time, when the favor is returned you will save some gas.
If no one is going your way check online and see if you can use a car-sharing service, it could be worthwhile.
22. Don't start until
Never start your vehicle until you have settled in adjusted your seat, seatbelt & mirrors adjusted and your passengers are comfortable and settled in as well.
23. Leave early and never rush
If you leave early and don't rush you don't feel pressure to drive faster. If you arrive at your destination early you will have a greater chance of finding somewhere to park and be calmer. A bad start to the day just gets worse and means a whole day of being on edge and that in turn means a day of wasting gas because you are less likely to drive fast and brake hard.
24. Make gas economy a game
Try competing against yourself to see if your gas economy increases or decreases. If it increases and you safe money at the filling station then put that away and see just hope much you can save over six months or a year, slowly letting the pile of cash grow - it is great to watch a pile of cash grow - and then when you get to the end of the period you decided, reward yourself, you deserve it!
25. Take the smallest car
Try to always drive the smallest car in the family, if you are a two or more car family.
26. Reduce the number of Cars on the driveway
If your family has more than two cars then try reducing the number of cars, share the ones you have more often. Judging by the driveways around where I live three and four car families never go out all at the same time in their 'own' cars, especially if the young ones are paying for gas!
27. Drive less in general
If you have a spare tire, which isn't in the trunk but possibly around you middle, then it is a great idea to do some walking or jogging and if you have a Dog then you will make its day. And don't make this an exclusive activity maybe some of the family would like to join in or the neighbors - just ask!
28. Think about joining a driving group
There are any number of Driving Clinics for all sorts of drivers, makes and types of car. Join one; meet people you share and interest, exchange tip on saving gas, driving. These groups regularly invite experts to give presentations; a lot can be shared and learned in them.
29. Avoid short trips
Avoid short trips at all costs. If you have several things to do then plan to get them all done on the same errand. This will not only save time but did you know that gas economy gets much better when your engine is running at the optimum temperature! Consequently the more errands you run on the same trip the better especially in cold weather.
30. Always combine errands and start at the furthest point
When you plan to combine all of your errands into one trip, always ensure that you drive to the point furthest away first, and then work your way back home. This will ensure that your engine is warmed up the optimum temperature before it is subjected to continuous stopping and starting.
31. Park centrally and walk
If you have several places to visit in town try to ensure you save more gas by parking centrally and walking from one place to the next.
32. Key off, then Park - automatic transmission only
You will save a small of gas by slightly changing your shutdown procedure. When you park turn off the ignition before shifting into Park and setting the parking brake.
33. Don't start and stop needlessly
Don't start and stop the engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the same gas amount as when you start the engine, which for your information is a lot!
34. Avoid drive-thrus
Where possible avoid drive thru windows, they lead to excessive idling and don't forget always switch off your engine if you are expecting to stop for more than a few seconds.
35. Shop online
Wherever possible shop online this will save the trips to the store, and also do other errands online, such as banking and paying bills.
36. Plan your trips to the gas station
Try to re-gas your car during off-peak times to avoid lines and excessive idling.
37. Avoid using heater until the engine has warmed up
Always avoid using the heater until the engine has warmed up to its optimal operating temperature. Running the heater fan before your engine is properly warmed up will slightly increase warm-up time and increase the amount of gas you use.
38. Try to minimize idling when you are stationary
If you are going to be stationary for more than a half minute switch off the engine, shutting your engine obviously saves gas and is why Hybrids are so gas efficient in urban driving.
39. Entertain at home
Have a dinner parties. Instead of your usual Saturday night out, and you can invite your neighbors over for a small dinner party. You'll save the miles to the restaurant - not to mention the money.
40. Share the school run
Share school rides. Instead of picking up your kids from school every day, ask a neighbor with kids in the same school to help. You can each take turns picking up the kids.
41. Choose a parking spot on the edge of the lot
Choose a parking spot on the edge of the lot of a busy lot rather than on close to the your destination, because you won't have to brake for other users and pedestrians.
42. Don't drive a gas-guzzler
Think for a moment do you really need that SUV?
43. Don't drive a gas-guzzler
Is it about time to go for six cylinders instead of four?
44. A special way with stop signs
When there are quite a few vehicles ahead of you and you are heading for a stop sign make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
45. Be a less aggressive driver
One of the very best ways to save gas is to drive less aggressively. Did you know that aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and braking) significantly lowers gas mileage by as much as 33% on the freeway and 5% in town or the city.
46. Use gravity to help you park
Hills incline or slopes can be useful for slipping into a parking place, when you have lined up the car correctly kill the engine and coast into the spot.
On a slope always park so that if you can you can glide away too making even more gas savings.
47. Use gravity to help you drive away
It is pretty obvious but if you have parked on a hill then let the hand brake off and gently coast out of the space and then start the engine once you are rolling.
48. Look well ahead & anticipate
Driving safely and efficiently relies on you being able to anticipate changes wherever you are driving. The way to achieve this is by being vigilant and constantly looking ahead.
Driving in the city you really should know what's happening at least 10-15 seconds ahead, and on the freeway that should be at least double.
49. Let the most efficient driver drive
If there is more than one licenced driver in the vehicle then allow the most efficient driver to drive! This has a two-fold benefit; better gas consumption figures and also you might be able to learn how he or she manages to save gas.
50. Just slow down
Slow down. Research shows that speeding uses more gas. If your average commute includes 20 miles of freeway time, and you drive it at 60 mph instead of 70 mph, you'll save approximately 1.3 gallons of gas in a 5-day working week.
51. Wait until you can drive away immediately
Never start the engine until there's actually an opportunity to driving away such as a gap in traffic when driving away from a parking space.
52. Plan your getaway
Get into the habit of planning even further ahead don't turn the ignition key until you know that you can time the next traffic light down the street.
53. Take a hike
Take a hike instead of driving everywhere walk you'll get some exercise while you save gas.
54. Avoid the hottest times of day to reduce A/C use
If you live where the weather is very hot, avoid driving if possible during the peak temperatures of the day when use of the air conditioner is "required."
55. Drive safely
Do drive safely and when you do you will be calmer and you will be smiling inside thinking about all of those lovely dollars you are saving!
56. Clever parking
Try to park your car so that you so that when you get back in it later and drive away you only use a forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers it saves gas.
57. Completely clear off snow & ice
Completely clear all of the snow & ice from your vehicle before driving. Doing this will minimize the use of energy hungry accessories such as defrosters. And it will also mean that there is no aerodynamic penalty as well as reducing weight.
58. Minimize air conditioning use
Air conditioning requires a lot of power. Use it sparingly.
Driving at city speeds, you'll save gas by using your flow through vents and opening windows.
At freeway speeds, whether A/C is more or less efficient than opening windows will depend on the speed, your vehicle's aerodynamics and A/C design.
59. Don't listen to fast tempo music
Don't get excited by the music you play - Music has a big effect on us listening to music with fast beat, like say a bit of very heavy metal means we speed up. Music with a fast tempo can make a driver more impatient and more aggressive leading to all sorts of bad behavior including speeding, which is not good for gas efficiency!
60. Listen to calm music
Slower paced music is more relaxing and tends to promote a more sensible driving style while reducing stress.
61. Don't drive nose to tail
If you are caught in heavy traffic leave the maximum amount of space in front this will keep your vehicle moving at constant speed while the cars in front of you stop & start. Ok some people will cut in front of you from time to time - just think they are spending so much more on their gas, yes feeling superior is better than feeling angry.
It is possible that your driving style might annoy drivers following who might not understand what you are doing; again they aren't saving the gas you are!
62. Practice
Saving gas most definitely isn't Rocket Science, there are things that work for you which won't work for others and vice versa, you just have to practice, so when you are drive, try something new from our list here at www.gassavers.org.
63. Go your own way
If you have a choice always take less significant road instead of the obvious busier one. You will get the chance to drive the way you want to instead of driving the way the heavy traffic might dictate which will also give you the chance to practice some gas saving techniques.
Even if the route is longer, you might save gas against traveling on the shorter busier route.
64. Avoid parallel parking
When you park on the street avoid parallel parking that way you will ensure that you have enough room to drive out of the space rather than having to maneuvering.
65. School zone
As you are approaching a school zone ensure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
66. Circulate to let off momentum
If you arrive at your parking spot and you find that you would have to brake hard don't. Take your feet off the pedals and coast down the row until you find another space, that way you will have reduced your momentum without having to brake.
67. Talk to people
Chat to your friends, there may just be things that they have been doing for years which can help you to save money or vice versa, for example someone who should remain nameless, used to lightly 'ride' the brake pedal as she - opps! Sorry - as the person I am talking about drove.
68. Avoid humps and bumps
Find a route with a smooth surface driving over bumps, obstacles and traffic calming humps means you are using your brakes and gas more often.
69. Find smooth road surfaces
Smoother surfaces offer reduced rolling resistance and though marginal means that you should use less gas to travel on them.
70. Drive with the windows up
Driving with windows up especially when you are driving at higher speeds to minimize aerodynamic drag. If you are hot then use the car's ventilation system.
71. Use heated parking
If you have a garage then use it heated parking will improve gas economy.
72. Follow the tire tracks
In weather conditions that leave a lot of rain, ice or snow on the drive in the tire tracks of the vehicle in front to reduce rolling resistance.
73. Take advantage of the wind
If you have time to spare and you time trips to take advantage of strong tailwinds and use them just as airlines do they will easy your consumption.
74. Don't let the wind go against you
Just as a strong tailwind can help you strong headwinds or crosswinds will work against you, avoid them if you can.
75. Drive to the posted speed limit
Always drive to the posted speed limit or the minimum allowed, when safe to do so. It is one of the best ways to save gas, and makes lifesaver for all road users.
76. Keep a way from the car in front
If you are driving on a freeway always try to maintain a safe distance from the car in front, this will mean that your vehicle's aerodynamic package is working to its optimum which will save gas, not much but every little helps.
Not only will you save gas, but you will also be safer.
Here we have a rhyme “Only a fool breaks the two second rule” So when you see the car in front go past a way marker or road sign say the rhyme to yourself and if you go past the sign/marker before you have finished back off, you are two close!
77. Park in the shade
In hot weather park in the shade the inside of your vehicle cooler, which in turn can help you minimize the use of air conditioning.
78. Use economy mode - automatic transmission only
If your vehicles' automatic transmission has a "power/economy" button use it and leave the economy mode engaged. This usually means earlier up shifts and later downshifts, saving gas.
79. Avoid stopping completely
Try to avoid coming to a complete stop if possible and of course when it is safe and legal to do so. It takes much less energy to drive off in a vehicle when it is already moving, even if it is only moving a few miles per hour, than it does from a complete stop.
80. Where you can take shortcuts
Sometimes you can nip rather cheekily through corner parking lots, side streets, or alleyways to get around having to come to a stop at an intersection or behind another vehicle do this and you will get to where you are going sooner and save gas, just be alert to very opportunity.
And as usual we must stress don't break the law, that is usually more costly than bad gas consumption.
81. An open cooler box
Pop your cooler box into the freezer over night and then leave it on the floor of the car, it will help reduce the temperature in the car if there are a few bottles of water defrosting you get a nice cool bonus, and an alternative to running your A/C unit.
82. Coast with the engine switched off
Coasting with the engine switched off is one of the biggest reasons Hybrid vehicles return such good gas consumption, many of them automatically shut down the engine when the accelerator is released and the vehicle is coasting.
Coasting with the engine switched off achieved with non-Hybrids to, by selecting neutral and switching the ignition key to “Acc” from “Run” don't switch to "Off" or the steering lock will engage.
As soon as you feel the engine stop, turn the key to the "Run" position and you're ready for a re-start.
Be careful this doesn't suit automatic transmission cars or cars with power steering, this technique is considered to be an advance one and so practice somewhere safe first, and also check that coasting with the engine switched off is legal where you live in some states it isn't
83. Use your overdrive gears
Use overdrive gears and as well as cruise Control when appropriate. They improve the gas economy of your car when you're driving on a freeway.
84. Cycle your A/C
If you have to use the A/C unit, set the airflow to re-circulate then manually turn the A/C on and off as needed.
85. Slowing down for gas economy
An excellent gas efficient way to slow down is to coast in neutral with the engine idling.
86. Maintain your Car
Keep your engine tuned. Tuning your engine according to your owner's manual can increase gas mileage by an average of 4% though of course increases vary depending on a car's condition and age.
87. Use traffic lights to your advantage
When you are coming up to a red light, slow down early if there is a car in front of you and see if it 'trips' the sensor if so you may not have to come to a complete stop.
88. Change your oil
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can improve your gas mileage by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve gas economy.
Check and replace air filters regularly. Would you believe that replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10%?
89. Don't waste potential energy
When you are approaching a red traffic light, or indeed you are in another predictable stop/start situation at the bottom of a hill. It is better to slow down and coast down to the lights, waiting until your arrival at the lights coincides with them turning to green.
90. Use your heated seats
By using your heated seat you will reduce the need to run the temperature control, heater and blowers. It saves you gas, not much but it works.
91. Empty your trunk
The additional weight you carry in your vehicle doesn't ride for free. It takes energy to move it around. Removing unnecessary stuff from your vehicle saves gas.
92. Remove unused roof racks
If your vehicle come with a roof rack and you don't use it, remove it. The same holds true for bike and ski racks. Doing so will reduce aerodynamic drag, resulting in better gas economy.
93. Avoid peak traffic
If you can do avoid driving during peak traffic times, with the roads full of other cars, you have fewer options for using driving techniques that others doesn't usually use or tolerate.
94. Close the sunroof at speed
When even the best designed sunroof is open, the air that you are traveling through is not flowing over the vehicle properly added to causing aerodynamic drag, this will affect your gas consumption adversely.
95. Always reverse into a parking space
If you have no pull-through spots to choose from, reverse in when arriving, instead of driving in when warm and backing out/turning around when the vehicle is cold and gas economy is at its worst.
Also note that reversing into a flow of traffic is riskier (and therefore much slower and less efficient because you may not have a clear view until your vehicle's back end is well out of the space.
96. In snow be patient
Wait for the snow plow if the snow is heavy, and remember that driving through fresh snow increases rolling resistance anywhere from moderately to dramatically, depending on the depth and type of snow.
97. Don't take the bait
It is so easy to be competitive when you are driving, so resist knee-jerk reactions and retaliation against other drivers' aggressive actions.
[b]98. Neutral when stopped - automatic transmission only[b]
Shift automatic transmissions to neutral when stopped, assuming you're going to leave the engine running. If you leave the transmission in drive the engine will attempt to move the car forward (creep) while being held back by the brakes, this just wastes gas.
99. Choosing your new car carefully
Buy a car with an energy label, compare the fuel consumption of different cars before making your purchasing decision and ask the dealer for the fuel consumption rating of a car if it does not have an energy label.
100. Think about an alternative energy vehicle
Consider buying alternative fuel vehicles, they usually consume less fuel and produce a smaller quantity of greenhouse gas and pollutants
101. Avoid towing if possible
Trailer towing that your vehicle has three extra challenges to reduce gas efficiency: (i) Increased weight, (ii) Higher aerodynamic drag, (ii) More tires on the unit you are towing producing greater rolling resistance.
102. If you can't avoid towing
Fuel economy during trailer towing can be maximized if the front profile of the trailer is hidden by the tow vehicle's shape. Closed-body trailers with rounded corners will minimize trailer wind drag. When pulling a trailer, it is even more beneficial to drive within posted speed limits (see Tip 2). Proper trailer maintenance (tire pressure, properly adjusted brakes, wheel lubrication) is also very important for maximizing fuel economy. Consult your dealer for the optimal vehicle configuration for trailering.
103. Highest gear/lowest RPM for posted speed - automatic transmission only
This is a trick for when you are cruising! Drive at the speed which enables the lowest revs per minute (RPM) for the speed zone you are traveling in.
104. Carry loads in the vehicle if possible
If not, minimize towing speeds and adjust your technique to account for the extra momentum the trailer and its load will add.
105. Avoid stops at bottom of slopes
If you can try to avoid roads with stops at the bottom of hills when you do that it forces you to brake, more than cancelling out any gas savings achieved by coasting down the hill.
106. Use your horn defensively
Defensive drivers use their horns to make other road users aware that they are close; by always being proactive you will save gas because you will be able to avoid having to brake or stop unnecessarily.
107. Use overdrive - automatic transmission only
If your vehicle has an over drive button or position, always leave it engaged so that the transmission will shift into its highest gear as soon as possible.
108. By gas early or late in the day
Try to buy gas at coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best, during these times gasoline is densest and gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration.
109. Constant throttle position
Once you are up to speed, pick a throttle position and hold it.
110. Remember your transition points
If you use the same roads regularly remember the places along the way where you use a gas saving technique. If you coast down particular hill and then time it right for the traffic lights at the foot of the hill remember that and you'll always be saving gas there.
111. Use a gas consumption display
Monitoring your gas consumption is the most accurate way to keep an eye on your gas consumption, especially when you can use a gas consumption display.
There are a number of gas consumption meters on the market if your car didn't come with one factory fitted this might be the time to invest in one; here are two that we at www.gassavers.org have come across, ScanGauge and SuperMID.
112. If you have a choice, choose the one that's warmed up
If you have a number of cars in your family choose the one that was driven most recently if it's still warm.
113. If you have a choice, choose the most efficient vehicle
Again if your family have a number of cars choose the one that is the most gas and drive that one.
114. Road Works
When you are nearing road works try to make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
115. Slowing down for good gas economy
A good gas efficient way to slow down is to coast in gear with the engine revving just above its stalling point.
116. Gas Additives
Remember that all or most of the gasoline additives that work have pretty much always been offered - right at the gas pump. And if someone is interested in finding ways to increase their gas mileage through additives.
If there is a miracle gas additive out there then you and everyone else will get to hear about it, but currently the media explosion hasn't happened so please be circumspect and save your money for gas, it costs enough already, don't make it more expensive pouring dubious chemicals into your tank, that may actually harm your engine!
117. Red light
When there are a number vehicles ahead of you and you are arriving at a red light make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
118. Increasing the quality of gas
Increasing the quality of gasoline you use is a pretty good first-step, though don't bother going beyond the grade recommended for your auto, there is just no point!
119. Stay on the right hand
If you are busy saving gas and traveling below the speed of the traffic you are in you should help drivers approaching from behind to pass you, rather than forcing them to slow down.
One way of doing this is to move your vehicle very obviously to the right of the lane you're traveling in when it's safe for the following vehicle to pass this allows a passing motorist to pass with confidence.
120. Cruise in high gear - manual transmission
If you are cruising at a constant speed shift to the highest gear you can use without causing the engine to drag.
121. Always be smooth
Using the controls smoothly and being smooth when you drive is not only more comfortable for you and your passengers, it is more efficient.
122. Clean out the garage
If you have a garage, clean it out so you can park your car inside during the Autumn Winter - your car will warm up faster and you will save gas and keep your car cleaner.
123. Open or Pull-through spots
Drive into an open or "pull through" spot, rather than a spot that requires you to either drive or reverse.
124. Use a beaded seat cover
Apparently these work surprisingly well as an alternative to using A/C or keeping your windows down, they apparently keep you from sticking to your seat, and your clothes from sticking to you. So if you think that your A/C unit is eating gas give this a try
125. Avoid bad all forms of weather
This is difficult we know, but if you are able avoid driving in all forms of bad weather because torrential rain, snow, slush will dramatically increase rolling resistance as well as impact upon visibility and your safety.
126. Ice vest
An ice vest is another option to using A/C.
127. Cruise control - when to use it
It is best to set your vehicles cruise control if you are the sort of driver whose speed increases as you drive for longer periods or if you have difficulty holding a steady.
128. Cruise control - when not to use it
Only ever use cruise control on flat roads or freeways because on roads with inclines cruise responds to changes in gradient by using more throttle then it releases on the descent and that is the exact opposite way an efficient driver would, handle a gradient!
129. Conserve momentum and brake hard
Yes this really does sound odd and something of a contradiction, but believe it or not there are occasionally times when braking hard can save gas, compared to coasting or light braking. Best described as 'damage limitation' use this technique when you are faced with an unpredictable, unanticipated stop or slow down ahead and not a lot of space.
130. Slowing down for to achieve gas economy
A good gas efficient way to slow down is to coast in neutral with engine switched off and roll gently to a halt.
131. Avoid 'warm up' idling
Never let your engine idle to warm it on a cold day. An idling engine gets zero miles per gallon every time.
[b]132. Driving without brakes - Impact on brakes[b]
If you minimize the use of the brake pedal your mpg will rise noticeably because every time you brake you are more or less converting gasoline into brake dust and heat.
133. Driving without brakes - Impact on gas pedal
If you drive as though you don't have a brake pedal you will automatically stop 'excessive' use of the accelerator.
134. Driving without brakes - More coasting
Driving without brakes will dramatically extend the amount of time you spend coasting down to stops and turns.
135. Drive when the weather is good
Well obviously this is the opposite of the above, your tires will work better, good weather doesn't feature bad crosswinds usually, yep! You get the picture!
136. Drafting in a crosswind
Rare circumstances are such that it is possible to effectively "draft" a larger vehicle in crosswind without following directly behind it. Occasionally crosswind conditions create a low pressure area behind a vehicle in front to extend into adjacent lanes you can take advantage of reduced drag legally and with reduced risk.
137. Never exceed the speed limit
Don't drive too fast or too slow. It takes 20% to 30% more gas to drive at 70 mph than 50 mph.
138. Right turn
When there are quite a few vehicles ahead of you and you are heading for a right turn make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
139. Check your tires pressure
By regularly checking that your tire pressures are at the higher end of vehicle manufacturer's specifications, this will mean the tires have the less rolling resistance.
Bear in mind that tire pressure can be affected by ambient temperature. As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure so check it regularly through-out the year and that will also mean that you don't suffer from a sudden change in the weather if the temperature drops and the tire pressure follows.
140. Miracle products - Gas saver devices
There are a lot of 'things' on the market currently which promise to save you fuel and money or money and fuel, they always offer to save but if they work then it is a mystery why these products are 'secret' Hold on to your cash and avoid miracle products - the just aren't that good.
141. Miracle products Gas tank additives
See above - well in principal anyway, all of the additives are already in gas added at source and have been for years.
142. Reduce speed
The faster you drive the greater the aerodynamic drag so if you reduce your speed you will be better off and safer.
As a rule a vehicle's most efficient speed is the one just after the highest gear has engaged.
143. Torque Converter automatic - transmission only
Always try to drive at the speed, which allows the Torque Converter to lock up. Typically this is often around 40-45 mph, it has been proven that speeds just above this typically return the highest cruising gas economy.
144. Drive without shoes
There are some enthusiast hyper-milers who drive in socks or bare feet so they can modulate the accelerator to the finest degree.
145. Drive with very thin soled shoes
Race car drivers usually wear extremely thin sole boots so they can modulate the accelerator to the finest degree because the highest level of tactile feedback from the vehicle enables drivers to finesse the pedals.
146. Drive at 55
Maximum fuel efficiency is 55 mph. This may vary slightly depending on the type of car you drive, but speeds over 60 mph decrease fuel efficiency drastically.
147. Avoid crosswinds
It is not well known but headwinds aren't the only winds that increase gas consumption! Crosswinds can have a significant negative effect as well.
148. Use barriers to crosswinds
If you are experience sever crosswind conditions, try to find a route that has a barrier maybe it is lined with trees or has buildings, the gas saving is noticeable.
149. Up date your auto
Up date your auto, a newer vehicle is the best gas saving device on the market currently especially if you go for a Hybrid.
150. Empty out your ride
Empty out your ride and I mean empty it, don't leave anything in the car that you aren't going to use when you are driving.
151. Using the 'racing line'
Knowing how to use the 'racing line' through a corner (when safe) can help you to preserve momentum. Almost always the racing line is the path through a turn with the largest possible radius.
Using the 'racing line' may allow you to drive around the corner at a higher speed and with more comfort, you will experience less body roll and g-forces and less tire scrub and save gas.
152. Slowing down for best gas economy - Non-Hybrid or Hybrid
A good gas efficient way to slow down is to use careful friction braking, brake slowly applying a constant soft pressure.
153. Slowing down for best gas economy - Hybrid only
If you have a Hybrid vehicle you can save gas by regenerative coasting.
154. Slowing down for best gas economy - Hybrid only
If you have a Hybrid vehicle you can save gas by regenerative braking.
155. Avoid use of 4 wheel drive
The added friction on the engine and other mechanical parts when using four wheel drive mode results in an increase in gas consumption so only use 4 wheel drive when it is really necessary
156. Don't switch off your engine
Switching your engine off for short periods of time can actually increase fuel consumption, as it requires more fuel to get the engine started and your catalytic converter will no longer be running at full temperature and so your car will be less efficient, increasing the amount of pollution you cause.
157. Drive off immediately
Drive off promptly to prevent wasting fuel; don't leave your engine running when you first start up. Drive off straight away if you can, but drive gently until the engine has reached its normal operating temperature. This doesn't increase fuel efficiency as such, but it does mean your engine is switched on for less time.
158. Synthetic engine oils
Always use synthetic engine oil. Good oil improves fuel economy by reducing friction.
159. Use oil treatment agents
Oil treatment agents basically thicken the oil, creating a better seal between the piston and the liner, preventing blow past and consequent loss of combustion pressure, resulting in higher fuel efficiency.
160. Have the 'right' exhaust fitted
Exhausts alter fuel efficiency; most cars have special sizes for the exhaust. When cars are reasonably old the silencer has to be changed. The garage people always try to fit a size that they have in the garage it self. Which might not be the exact size recommended for the car.
The wrong size a bigger or smaller silencer size affects not only the MPG of the car but also the HP. It may be cheaper to put another size than your recommended size for your car but in the long run it will cost you in many ways, especially fuel consumption.
161. The convoy effect
If you are traveling at a constant speed on a freeway buddy up with other drivers traveling at the same constant speed and form a line of traffic, this line will create a beneficial aerodynamic effect and you will save gas.
162. Don't drive in isolation
On a freeway if you are driving alone your gas consumption figures will suffer because of the opposite effect of the above.
163. Avoid use of low range
A great number of 4 wheel drive vehicles come with high and low transmission ranges. Low range increases engine revs per minute (RPM) and therefore gas consumption for any gear/road speed combination compared to high.
164. Minimize regen braking - Hybrids only
Regenerative braking in Hybrid vehicles is the capturing braking energy and transferring it to the battery. It is more efficient than braking with conventional friction brakes, but if you drive without brakes you will get a better mpg.
Consequently even if you drive a Hybrid vehicle you will get better gas economy when you minimize use of the brake pedal.
165. Drive with you lights off during the day
There are some driving conditions where using your lights during the day increases safety. Some cars have lights that can demand up to 100 watts of power, all of that power is supplied by gas and so when the conditions permit it is always advisable to drive with your lights turned off is you want to save gas.
166. Avoid wheel spin on ice or snow
Any form of wheel spin is very inefficient and costs you gas efficiency.
167. Wheel spin and traction control
If your wheels spin and you have a vehicle that is equipped with brake assisted traction control the cost to your gas economy is serious, because the engine is working so hard.
168. Using your eyes
When you approach an intersection showing a green light you can watch the pedestrian signal crossing light to help determine when it will turn yellow.
169. Coping with slower freeway speeds
If are uncomfortable driving at speeds less than the average of the traffic around you on freeways, then identify another vehicle traveling at the speed you want to travel at, the larger the better, then drive either ahead of it or behind and it will meaning that you drive in safely convoy, we are not suggesting drafting though.
170. Timing traffic lights
If you can't see a pedestrian signal, someone waiting to cross the road or any other indication to tell how long a traffic light might have on green, always assume it is about to change and adjust your driving accordingly, coast if possible but always be ready to brake at the lights.
171. Talk to other owners of your model
Ask other people with the same type of car what kind of gas mileage they achieve! It may alert you to a problem with your car.
172. Use good quality engine oil
Use good quality engine oil, preferably synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.
173. Get, give and take advice
Saving gas is in everyone's interest, so get as much information as you can from the web, your friends and the newspapers and share it with your friends and colleagues.
174. Use your gears wisely
Use your gears wisely driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 37mph in third gear uses 25% more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.
175. Follow a recommended maintenance programme
Follow the recommended maintenance programme. A vehicle that is well maintained means it will operate with greater efficiency and following the Recommended Maintenance Programme will not only improve the overall performance of your vehicle it will also lengthen its life.
176. Reduce accessory power loads
Always try to minimize the use of electrical and mechanical accessory loads such as lights, defroster, heater blower, heated seats, DVD players and screens and heated mirrors etc., when safe and practical. Depending upon how far you are going the increase in gas saving is marginal but every little helps.
177. Use the lane with the least disruption
When traveling on a roadway with a number of lanes it is best to choose the lane that looks as though it will not have any disruption so that you can to avoid unnecessary braking and or changes in speed. The lanes to avoid are lanes with buses which will be regularly starting and stopping, or lanes where cars may be braking unpredictably to turn into driveways or parking lots.
178. Upshift coaxing - automatic transmission only
Some automatic transmissions can be coaxed to upshift sooner when accelerating by gently easing of the gas pedal and then gently reapplying pressure and continuing to accelerating.
179. Pretend to turn
If you are traveling at a speed lower than the normal speed of driver around it is important to let vehicles behind you safely pass and do it with the minimum of interruption.
On a freeway one way to achieve this is by pretending to make a turn, signal and move to the correct lane and then let the faster traffic go passed.
180. If you have to carry loads outside the vehicle
If you have to carry loads outside the vehicle. For the best gas consumption don't! But if it is unavoidable carry them on the back of the vehicle instead of on the roof.
181. Use you radio
Always listen to traffic updates and road condition reports on your car radio, so that you are aware of anything that may have an impact on your driving and gas consumption.
182. Don't warm your car
Don't warm your car up by letting it idle. The engine warms up faster when driving than it does when idling, and idling wastes about a quarter of a gallon of gas every 15 minutes.
183. Use a block heater
If you pre-warm your engine with an electric block heater, when you drive off your engine will already be close to running its optimum running temperature. This will save money because using electricity to do the job that the gas in your tank would have done will cost you the equivalent of somewhere in the region of $1 a gallon.
184. Downshift when climbing hills
It is more gas efficient to downshift when climbing a hill than it is to keep accelerating.
185. Drafting
At freeway speeds driving close behind a large vehicle can create a drafting effect and will dramatically reduce gas consumption. However it is not recommended for many reasons, primarily it is dangerous and is illegal in most states.
186. Drive the most fuel-efficient car
Drive the most fuel-efficient car that meets your needs. Compare models and classes. Even similarly sized cars can vary in fuel efficiency by up to 45%. Fuel efficiency is shown as MPG.
187. Burn and coast
Use a technique know as Burn and coast or pulse and glide rather than maintaining a constant speed, where practical, by using the gas pedal briefly and letting momentum or gravity do the rest you will get better gas figures.
188. Push to start
If you have to move your car a short distance for example out of the garage think about just rolling it rather than starting up the engine.
189. Push to go
If you are driving away after parking and you are on a hill or incline simply give your car a shove to get it rolling and then coast as far as possible before starting the engine.
190. Buy a Hybrid
There are some really good reasons why you should choose a Hybrid car instead of conventional gasoline car; Hybrid cars are environment friendly, they can reduce pollution by 90 percent.
Hybrid cars are more reliable than electric cars, as they have gasoline as an alternate fuel.
191. Use cash as an incentive
Never lose sight of the fact that if you save gas you are saving yourself your hard earned folding stuff, now isn't that and incentive?
192. Driving on holiday - buy locally
If you are going on a long trip or on holiday buy gas the day before you travel. You already know where the best gas deals are near your house or office, so you might as well purchase the first tank of your trip at a price you know and can control.
193. Get the most from your Active Fuel Management System
Driving your vehicle smoothly can maximize fuel economy. This is especially true for vehicles equipped with Active Fuel Management systems. To get the most fuel economy from your vehicle, you should strive to maximize your operation in V4 mode (V3 mode for V6 engines). Smooth, steady application of the accelerator pedal up to the desired speed is best.
194. Don't top off your tank
Don't top off your tank when pumping gas. On a warm day, gasoline expands and can overflow and that is bad for your bodywork too!
195. Buy a 'common rail' diesel
If your going to buy a diesel vehicle, ensure it is a new 'common rail' type, as these are approximately 10% more efficient than older diesels.
196. THE MAGNETIC FUEL SAVER
There are loads of adverts on the internet at the moment all full of loads nonsense avoid these products and as a rule of thumb ANY THING USING CAPITALS TO ADVERTS ITS WORTH it won't work and isn't worth the cash you would waste on it.
197. Read
Read your insurance and auto dealer newsletters for tips on how to get better gas mileage.
198. Try not to jackrabbit
Jackrabbit starts hurt your mileage. Don't jam on the gas from a dead start. Be calm on the road by anticipating traffic flow; ease up on the accelerator instead of braking and gassing, braking and gassing.
199. Invest in something smaller
Smaller vehicles offer benefits in gas consumption and nowadays are not that much smaller inside the cabin; they are worth thinking about these days.
200. Use the gas recommended for your vehicle
Use the grade recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer. High-octane fuel may not only be a waste of money but may harm your vehicle, as well.
201. Use Eco tires
If you are replacing tires then consider some of the newer 'Eco' tires that are designed specifically to increase fuel efficiency.
1. Join www.gassavers.org
GasSavers is a community of gas economy enthusiasts. Whether you want to save cash, the planet, or just reduce our dependency on foreign oil, you are more than welcome to join people like you who are interested in saving gas and cash!
By becoming a member you can easily track your gas consumption and you can chat to others like you and exchange tips and tricks.
2. Keeping an eye on what you use
First things first, in order to find out if you are saving gas you must know how to calculate how much you are using - gas consumption.
Gas consumption is the amount of gas required to move a car over a given distance. The gas efficiency of your car or truck can be calculated in mpg (miles per gallon).
The maths is simple but we suggest you use our Gas Calculator which can be found at www.gassavers.org in your 'garage' it takes care of all the maths for you and also gives you a record of your mpg, and shows what you are saving if you follow our tips below. You must remember to have two important bits of information handy when you use the Gas Calculator:
(i) How much gas you put in the tank.
(ii)How many miles you traveled on that tank of gas.
So now you can keep track of just how effective your gas saving efforts are!
It is always important to know that you are actually being rewarded for your effort, and we can't stress this enough, your reward is saving gas, and saving gas means more cash for us and that is the best type of reward.
3. Mass Transit
Leave your car in the garage and take the bus, train or metro into town or to work.
If you can rearrange your day so that you are not traveling on public when the rest of the public is traveling using mass transit after the rush-hour can be rewarding, peaceful and if you want a time to do a bit of work or just daydream.
4. Regular Carpooling
If you drive to one place most days like say going to work or college, check out your colleagues/friends and see if they drive in, between the two of you, there are six (minimum) spare seats, so share the car and share the cost and remember when you and your colleague are driving it is likely that the back seats are vacant fill them.
Imagine only having to drive the daily commute once a fortnight or less! And while you are doing that, just think of the savings you will all make on gas and that is cash in your pocket don't forget!
If there isn't anyone at your place of work who is on your route it might be a good idea to see if you can use a car-sharing services like http://www.zipcar.com.
5. Observe speed limits
Wind drag accounts for almost 25% of the fuel consumed to drive your vehicle. Each additional 10 mph of highway speed can reduce fuel economy by about 4 mpg
6. Telecommuting
Try Telecommuting, today, upward of 12 million employees telework more than 8 hours per week ands by 2009, 14 million workers will not be driving into the office. Telecommuting frees us from the slog into work and back. Just think all of that time you spend traveling to work if you telecommute it is yours, work when you need to or do something for yourself it is your time you have saved.
7. Move Closer to Work
If you can't telecommute then consider moving, living closer to work means you could walk, jog or cycle, and moving closer to work doesn't mean moving house, there may well be a job for you locally, keep your eyes open and your costs down.
8. Park and Ride
These days rural areas are less well served by mass transport than metropolitan ones, to get around this problem it might be possible to take the car to a park and ride car park and leave the car there all day while you are whisked into work. Or maybe a family member could drop you off.
9. Carpool then Park and Ride
If you carpool then you can also park and ride too. There are no rules here do what suits you just think clever and your costs come down.
10. Park and Ride then cycle
Don't forget that you could park at the park and ride and take your bicycle into the city! Save time, get fit and weave in and out of the traffic jams!
11. Fouled gas injectors
Ask a mechanic to look for fouled gas injectors. Change them as necessary.
12. Check your spark plugs
Ask a mechanic to check the gap on your spark plugs. Adjust or replace as necessary, incorrect spark timing can serious effect your vehicles gas efficiency.
13. Keep your engine tuned up
A properly tuned engine will run efficiently and use less fuel.
14. Check your fuel ratio
An incorrect fuel ratio can have a big effect on gas mileage.
15. Plan your route
Plan more efficient routes if you drive in traffic.
16. Air filters
Check your air filter. If it is dirty or old, replace it.
17. Think about how you overtake
Think about what you are doing when you are on the road, if there is a car overtaking another car ahead, where is the point in racing up to the back of the slower vehicle and joining a queue? Take it easy and save gas, you can over take when there is a space.
18. If something changes
If you notice a significant change, then something has changed with your vehicle and you should take it immediately to your dealer and have it checked over, it will be costing you money.
19. Cycling
If you are up to it leave your car in the garage cycle the whole way. Again if you usually car pool or your neighbors go to the city on your route get some company, make saving gas fun!
20. Walking
Like cycling above but without the bike!
21. Ad hoc car sharing
Save gas - drive with a friend!
Ok so we have 'borrowed' a slogan usually referring to bathing, but it isn't a joke! If you are going anywhere it is a good idea to find out if anyone else is going your way or needs a ride, the company will be nice and if you drive this time, when the favor is returned you will save some gas.
If no one is going your way check online and see if you can use a car-sharing service, it could be worthwhile.
22. Don't start until
Never start your vehicle until you have settled in adjusted your seat, seatbelt & mirrors adjusted and your passengers are comfortable and settled in as well.
23. Leave early and never rush
If you leave early and don't rush you don't feel pressure to drive faster. If you arrive at your destination early you will have a greater chance of finding somewhere to park and be calmer. A bad start to the day just gets worse and means a whole day of being on edge and that in turn means a day of wasting gas because you are less likely to drive fast and brake hard.
24. Make gas economy a game
Try competing against yourself to see if your gas economy increases or decreases. If it increases and you safe money at the filling station then put that away and see just hope much you can save over six months or a year, slowly letting the pile of cash grow - it is great to watch a pile of cash grow - and then when you get to the end of the period you decided, reward yourself, you deserve it!
25. Take the smallest car
Try to always drive the smallest car in the family, if you are a two or more car family.
26. Reduce the number of Cars on the driveway
If your family has more than two cars then try reducing the number of cars, share the ones you have more often. Judging by the driveways around where I live three and four car families never go out all at the same time in their 'own' cars, especially if the young ones are paying for gas!
27. Drive less in general
If you have a spare tire, which isn't in the trunk but possibly around you middle, then it is a great idea to do some walking or jogging and if you have a Dog then you will make its day. And don't make this an exclusive activity maybe some of the family would like to join in or the neighbors - just ask!
28. Think about joining a driving group
There are any number of Driving Clinics for all sorts of drivers, makes and types of car. Join one; meet people you share and interest, exchange tip on saving gas, driving. These groups regularly invite experts to give presentations; a lot can be shared and learned in them.
29. Avoid short trips
Avoid short trips at all costs. If you have several things to do then plan to get them all done on the same errand. This will not only save time but did you know that gas economy gets much better when your engine is running at the optimum temperature! Consequently the more errands you run on the same trip the better especially in cold weather.
30. Always combine errands and start at the furthest point
When you plan to combine all of your errands into one trip, always ensure that you drive to the point furthest away first, and then work your way back home. This will ensure that your engine is warmed up the optimum temperature before it is subjected to continuous stopping and starting.
31. Park centrally and walk
If you have several places to visit in town try to ensure you save more gas by parking centrally and walking from one place to the next.
32. Key off, then Park - automatic transmission only
You will save a small of gas by slightly changing your shutdown procedure. When you park turn off the ignition before shifting into Park and setting the parking brake.
33. Don't start and stop needlessly
Don't start and stop the engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the same gas amount as when you start the engine, which for your information is a lot!
34. Avoid drive-thrus
Where possible avoid drive thru windows, they lead to excessive idling and don't forget always switch off your engine if you are expecting to stop for more than a few seconds.
35. Shop online
Wherever possible shop online this will save the trips to the store, and also do other errands online, such as banking and paying bills.
36. Plan your trips to the gas station
Try to re-gas your car during off-peak times to avoid lines and excessive idling.
37. Avoid using heater until the engine has warmed up
Always avoid using the heater until the engine has warmed up to its optimal operating temperature. Running the heater fan before your engine is properly warmed up will slightly increase warm-up time and increase the amount of gas you use.
38. Try to minimize idling when you are stationary
If you are going to be stationary for more than a half minute switch off the engine, shutting your engine obviously saves gas and is why Hybrids are so gas efficient in urban driving.
39. Entertain at home
Have a dinner parties. Instead of your usual Saturday night out, and you can invite your neighbors over for a small dinner party. You'll save the miles to the restaurant - not to mention the money.
40. Share the school run
Share school rides. Instead of picking up your kids from school every day, ask a neighbor with kids in the same school to help. You can each take turns picking up the kids.
41. Choose a parking spot on the edge of the lot
Choose a parking spot on the edge of the lot of a busy lot rather than on close to the your destination, because you won't have to brake for other users and pedestrians.
42. Don't drive a gas-guzzler
Think for a moment do you really need that SUV?
43. Don't drive a gas-guzzler
Is it about time to go for six cylinders instead of four?
44. A special way with stop signs
When there are quite a few vehicles ahead of you and you are heading for a stop sign make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
45. Be a less aggressive driver
One of the very best ways to save gas is to drive less aggressively. Did you know that aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and braking) significantly lowers gas mileage by as much as 33% on the freeway and 5% in town or the city.
46. Use gravity to help you park
Hills incline or slopes can be useful for slipping into a parking place, when you have lined up the car correctly kill the engine and coast into the spot.
On a slope always park so that if you can you can glide away too making even more gas savings.
47. Use gravity to help you drive away
It is pretty obvious but if you have parked on a hill then let the hand brake off and gently coast out of the space and then start the engine once you are rolling.
48. Look well ahead & anticipate
Driving safely and efficiently relies on you being able to anticipate changes wherever you are driving. The way to achieve this is by being vigilant and constantly looking ahead.
Driving in the city you really should know what's happening at least 10-15 seconds ahead, and on the freeway that should be at least double.
49. Let the most efficient driver drive
If there is more than one licenced driver in the vehicle then allow the most efficient driver to drive! This has a two-fold benefit; better gas consumption figures and also you might be able to learn how he or she manages to save gas.
50. Just slow down
Slow down. Research shows that speeding uses more gas. If your average commute includes 20 miles of freeway time, and you drive it at 60 mph instead of 70 mph, you'll save approximately 1.3 gallons of gas in a 5-day working week.
51. Wait until you can drive away immediately
Never start the engine until there's actually an opportunity to driving away such as a gap in traffic when driving away from a parking space.
52. Plan your getaway
Get into the habit of planning even further ahead don't turn the ignition key until you know that you can time the next traffic light down the street.
53. Take a hike
Take a hike instead of driving everywhere walk you'll get some exercise while you save gas.
54. Avoid the hottest times of day to reduce A/C use
If you live where the weather is very hot, avoid driving if possible during the peak temperatures of the day when use of the air conditioner is "required."
55. Drive safely
Do drive safely and when you do you will be calmer and you will be smiling inside thinking about all of those lovely dollars you are saving!
56. Clever parking
Try to park your car so that you so that when you get back in it later and drive away you only use a forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers it saves gas.
57. Completely clear off snow & ice
Completely clear all of the snow & ice from your vehicle before driving. Doing this will minimize the use of energy hungry accessories such as defrosters. And it will also mean that there is no aerodynamic penalty as well as reducing weight.
58. Minimize air conditioning use
Air conditioning requires a lot of power. Use it sparingly.
Driving at city speeds, you'll save gas by using your flow through vents and opening windows.
At freeway speeds, whether A/C is more or less efficient than opening windows will depend on the speed, your vehicle's aerodynamics and A/C design.
59. Don't listen to fast tempo music
Don't get excited by the music you play - Music has a big effect on us listening to music with fast beat, like say a bit of very heavy metal means we speed up. Music with a fast tempo can make a driver more impatient and more aggressive leading to all sorts of bad behavior including speeding, which is not good for gas efficiency!
60. Listen to calm music
Slower paced music is more relaxing and tends to promote a more sensible driving style while reducing stress.
61. Don't drive nose to tail
If you are caught in heavy traffic leave the maximum amount of space in front this will keep your vehicle moving at constant speed while the cars in front of you stop & start. Ok some people will cut in front of you from time to time - just think they are spending so much more on their gas, yes feeling superior is better than feeling angry.
It is possible that your driving style might annoy drivers following who might not understand what you are doing; again they aren't saving the gas you are!
62. Practice
Saving gas most definitely isn't Rocket Science, there are things that work for you which won't work for others and vice versa, you just have to practice, so when you are drive, try something new from our list here at www.gassavers.org.
63. Go your own way
If you have a choice always take less significant road instead of the obvious busier one. You will get the chance to drive the way you want to instead of driving the way the heavy traffic might dictate which will also give you the chance to practice some gas saving techniques.
Even if the route is longer, you might save gas against traveling on the shorter busier route.
64. Avoid parallel parking
When you park on the street avoid parallel parking that way you will ensure that you have enough room to drive out of the space rather than having to maneuvering.
65. School zone
As you are approaching a school zone ensure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
66. Circulate to let off momentum
If you arrive at your parking spot and you find that you would have to brake hard don't. Take your feet off the pedals and coast down the row until you find another space, that way you will have reduced your momentum without having to brake.
67. Talk to people
Chat to your friends, there may just be things that they have been doing for years which can help you to save money or vice versa, for example someone who should remain nameless, used to lightly 'ride' the brake pedal as she - opps! Sorry - as the person I am talking about drove.
68. Avoid humps and bumps
Find a route with a smooth surface driving over bumps, obstacles and traffic calming humps means you are using your brakes and gas more often.
69. Find smooth road surfaces
Smoother surfaces offer reduced rolling resistance and though marginal means that you should use less gas to travel on them.
70. Drive with the windows up
Driving with windows up especially when you are driving at higher speeds to minimize aerodynamic drag. If you are hot then use the car's ventilation system.
71. Use heated parking
If you have a garage then use it heated parking will improve gas economy.
72. Follow the tire tracks
In weather conditions that leave a lot of rain, ice or snow on the drive in the tire tracks of the vehicle in front to reduce rolling resistance.
73. Take advantage of the wind
If you have time to spare and you time trips to take advantage of strong tailwinds and use them just as airlines do they will easy your consumption.
74. Don't let the wind go against you
Just as a strong tailwind can help you strong headwinds or crosswinds will work against you, avoid them if you can.
75. Drive to the posted speed limit
Always drive to the posted speed limit or the minimum allowed, when safe to do so. It is one of the best ways to save gas, and makes lifesaver for all road users.
76. Keep a way from the car in front
If you are driving on a freeway always try to maintain a safe distance from the car in front, this will mean that your vehicle's aerodynamic package is working to its optimum which will save gas, not much but every little helps.
Not only will you save gas, but you will also be safer.
Here we have a rhyme “Only a fool breaks the two second rule” So when you see the car in front go past a way marker or road sign say the rhyme to yourself and if you go past the sign/marker before you have finished back off, you are two close!
77. Park in the shade
In hot weather park in the shade the inside of your vehicle cooler, which in turn can help you minimize the use of air conditioning.
78. Use economy mode - automatic transmission only
If your vehicles' automatic transmission has a "power/economy" button use it and leave the economy mode engaged. This usually means earlier up shifts and later downshifts, saving gas.
79. Avoid stopping completely
Try to avoid coming to a complete stop if possible and of course when it is safe and legal to do so. It takes much less energy to drive off in a vehicle when it is already moving, even if it is only moving a few miles per hour, than it does from a complete stop.
80. Where you can take shortcuts
Sometimes you can nip rather cheekily through corner parking lots, side streets, or alleyways to get around having to come to a stop at an intersection or behind another vehicle do this and you will get to where you are going sooner and save gas, just be alert to very opportunity.
And as usual we must stress don't break the law, that is usually more costly than bad gas consumption.
81. An open cooler box
Pop your cooler box into the freezer over night and then leave it on the floor of the car, it will help reduce the temperature in the car if there are a few bottles of water defrosting you get a nice cool bonus, and an alternative to running your A/C unit.
82. Coast with the engine switched off
Coasting with the engine switched off is one of the biggest reasons Hybrid vehicles return such good gas consumption, many of them automatically shut down the engine when the accelerator is released and the vehicle is coasting.
Coasting with the engine switched off achieved with non-Hybrids to, by selecting neutral and switching the ignition key to “Acc” from “Run” don't switch to "Off" or the steering lock will engage.
As soon as you feel the engine stop, turn the key to the "Run" position and you're ready for a re-start.
Be careful this doesn't suit automatic transmission cars or cars with power steering, this technique is considered to be an advance one and so practice somewhere safe first, and also check that coasting with the engine switched off is legal where you live in some states it isn't
83. Use your overdrive gears
Use overdrive gears and as well as cruise Control when appropriate. They improve the gas economy of your car when you're driving on a freeway.
84. Cycle your A/C
If you have to use the A/C unit, set the airflow to re-circulate then manually turn the A/C on and off as needed.
85. Slowing down for gas economy
An excellent gas efficient way to slow down is to coast in neutral with the engine idling.
86. Maintain your Car
Keep your engine tuned. Tuning your engine according to your owner's manual can increase gas mileage by an average of 4% though of course increases vary depending on a car's condition and age.
87. Use traffic lights to your advantage
When you are coming up to a red light, slow down early if there is a car in front of you and see if it 'trips' the sensor if so you may not have to come to a complete stop.
88. Change your oil
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can improve your gas mileage by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve gas economy.
Check and replace air filters regularly. Would you believe that replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10%?
89. Don't waste potential energy
When you are approaching a red traffic light, or indeed you are in another predictable stop/start situation at the bottom of a hill. It is better to slow down and coast down to the lights, waiting until your arrival at the lights coincides with them turning to green.
90. Use your heated seats
By using your heated seat you will reduce the need to run the temperature control, heater and blowers. It saves you gas, not much but it works.
91. Empty your trunk
The additional weight you carry in your vehicle doesn't ride for free. It takes energy to move it around. Removing unnecessary stuff from your vehicle saves gas.
92. Remove unused roof racks
If your vehicle come with a roof rack and you don't use it, remove it. The same holds true for bike and ski racks. Doing so will reduce aerodynamic drag, resulting in better gas economy.
93. Avoid peak traffic
If you can do avoid driving during peak traffic times, with the roads full of other cars, you have fewer options for using driving techniques that others doesn't usually use or tolerate.
94. Close the sunroof at speed
When even the best designed sunroof is open, the air that you are traveling through is not flowing over the vehicle properly added to causing aerodynamic drag, this will affect your gas consumption adversely.
95. Always reverse into a parking space
If you have no pull-through spots to choose from, reverse in when arriving, instead of driving in when warm and backing out/turning around when the vehicle is cold and gas economy is at its worst.
Also note that reversing into a flow of traffic is riskier (and therefore much slower and less efficient because you may not have a clear view until your vehicle's back end is well out of the space.
96. In snow be patient
Wait for the snow plow if the snow is heavy, and remember that driving through fresh snow increases rolling resistance anywhere from moderately to dramatically, depending on the depth and type of snow.
97. Don't take the bait
It is so easy to be competitive when you are driving, so resist knee-jerk reactions and retaliation against other drivers' aggressive actions.
[b]98. Neutral when stopped - automatic transmission only[b]
Shift automatic transmissions to neutral when stopped, assuming you're going to leave the engine running. If you leave the transmission in drive the engine will attempt to move the car forward (creep) while being held back by the brakes, this just wastes gas.
99. Choosing your new car carefully
Buy a car with an energy label, compare the fuel consumption of different cars before making your purchasing decision and ask the dealer for the fuel consumption rating of a car if it does not have an energy label.
100. Think about an alternative energy vehicle
Consider buying alternative fuel vehicles, they usually consume less fuel and produce a smaller quantity of greenhouse gas and pollutants
101. Avoid towing if possible
Trailer towing that your vehicle has three extra challenges to reduce gas efficiency: (i) Increased weight, (ii) Higher aerodynamic drag, (ii) More tires on the unit you are towing producing greater rolling resistance.
102. If you can't avoid towing
Fuel economy during trailer towing can be maximized if the front profile of the trailer is hidden by the tow vehicle's shape. Closed-body trailers with rounded corners will minimize trailer wind drag. When pulling a trailer, it is even more beneficial to drive within posted speed limits (see Tip 2). Proper trailer maintenance (tire pressure, properly adjusted brakes, wheel lubrication) is also very important for maximizing fuel economy. Consult your dealer for the optimal vehicle configuration for trailering.
103. Highest gear/lowest RPM for posted speed - automatic transmission only
This is a trick for when you are cruising! Drive at the speed which enables the lowest revs per minute (RPM) for the speed zone you are traveling in.
104. Carry loads in the vehicle if possible
If not, minimize towing speeds and adjust your technique to account for the extra momentum the trailer and its load will add.
105. Avoid stops at bottom of slopes
If you can try to avoid roads with stops at the bottom of hills when you do that it forces you to brake, more than cancelling out any gas savings achieved by coasting down the hill.
106. Use your horn defensively
Defensive drivers use their horns to make other road users aware that they are close; by always being proactive you will save gas because you will be able to avoid having to brake or stop unnecessarily.
107. Use overdrive - automatic transmission only
If your vehicle has an over drive button or position, always leave it engaged so that the transmission will shift into its highest gear as soon as possible.
108. By gas early or late in the day
Try to buy gas at coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best, during these times gasoline is densest and gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration.
109. Constant throttle position
Once you are up to speed, pick a throttle position and hold it.
110. Remember your transition points
If you use the same roads regularly remember the places along the way where you use a gas saving technique. If you coast down particular hill and then time it right for the traffic lights at the foot of the hill remember that and you'll always be saving gas there.
111. Use a gas consumption display
Monitoring your gas consumption is the most accurate way to keep an eye on your gas consumption, especially when you can use a gas consumption display.
There are a number of gas consumption meters on the market if your car didn't come with one factory fitted this might be the time to invest in one; here are two that we at www.gassavers.org have come across, ScanGauge and SuperMID.
112. If you have a choice, choose the one that's warmed up
If you have a number of cars in your family choose the one that was driven most recently if it's still warm.
113. If you have a choice, choose the most efficient vehicle
Again if your family have a number of cars choose the one that is the most gas and drive that one.
114. Road Works
When you are nearing road works try to make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
115. Slowing down for good gas economy
A good gas efficient way to slow down is to coast in gear with the engine revving just above its stalling point.
116. Gas Additives
Remember that all or most of the gasoline additives that work have pretty much always been offered - right at the gas pump. And if someone is interested in finding ways to increase their gas mileage through additives.
If there is a miracle gas additive out there then you and everyone else will get to hear about it, but currently the media explosion hasn't happened so please be circumspect and save your money for gas, it costs enough already, don't make it more expensive pouring dubious chemicals into your tank, that may actually harm your engine!
117. Red light
When there are a number vehicles ahead of you and you are arriving at a red light make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
118. Increasing the quality of gas
Increasing the quality of gasoline you use is a pretty good first-step, though don't bother going beyond the grade recommended for your auto, there is just no point!
119. Stay on the right hand
If you are busy saving gas and traveling below the speed of the traffic you are in you should help drivers approaching from behind to pass you, rather than forcing them to slow down.
One way of doing this is to move your vehicle very obviously to the right of the lane you're traveling in when it's safe for the following vehicle to pass this allows a passing motorist to pass with confidence.
120. Cruise in high gear - manual transmission
If you are cruising at a constant speed shift to the highest gear you can use without causing the engine to drag.
121. Always be smooth
Using the controls smoothly and being smooth when you drive is not only more comfortable for you and your passengers, it is more efficient.
122. Clean out the garage
If you have a garage, clean it out so you can park your car inside during the Autumn Winter - your car will warm up faster and you will save gas and keep your car cleaner.
123. Open or Pull-through spots
Drive into an open or "pull through" spot, rather than a spot that requires you to either drive or reverse.
124. Use a beaded seat cover
Apparently these work surprisingly well as an alternative to using A/C or keeping your windows down, they apparently keep you from sticking to your seat, and your clothes from sticking to you. So if you think that your A/C unit is eating gas give this a try
125. Avoid bad all forms of weather
This is difficult we know, but if you are able avoid driving in all forms of bad weather because torrential rain, snow, slush will dramatically increase rolling resistance as well as impact upon visibility and your safety.
126. Ice vest
An ice vest is another option to using A/C.
127. Cruise control - when to use it
It is best to set your vehicles cruise control if you are the sort of driver whose speed increases as you drive for longer periods or if you have difficulty holding a steady.
128. Cruise control - when not to use it
Only ever use cruise control on flat roads or freeways because on roads with inclines cruise responds to changes in gradient by using more throttle then it releases on the descent and that is the exact opposite way an efficient driver would, handle a gradient!
129. Conserve momentum and brake hard
Yes this really does sound odd and something of a contradiction, but believe it or not there are occasionally times when braking hard can save gas, compared to coasting or light braking. Best described as 'damage limitation' use this technique when you are faced with an unpredictable, unanticipated stop or slow down ahead and not a lot of space.
130. Slowing down for to achieve gas economy
A good gas efficient way to slow down is to coast in neutral with engine switched off and roll gently to a halt.
131. Avoid 'warm up' idling
Never let your engine idle to warm it on a cold day. An idling engine gets zero miles per gallon every time.
[b]132. Driving without brakes - Impact on brakes[b]
If you minimize the use of the brake pedal your mpg will rise noticeably because every time you brake you are more or less converting gasoline into brake dust and heat.
133. Driving without brakes - Impact on gas pedal
If you drive as though you don't have a brake pedal you will automatically stop 'excessive' use of the accelerator.
134. Driving without brakes - More coasting
Driving without brakes will dramatically extend the amount of time you spend coasting down to stops and turns.
135. Drive when the weather is good
Well obviously this is the opposite of the above, your tires will work better, good weather doesn't feature bad crosswinds usually, yep! You get the picture!
136. Drafting in a crosswind
Rare circumstances are such that it is possible to effectively "draft" a larger vehicle in crosswind without following directly behind it. Occasionally crosswind conditions create a low pressure area behind a vehicle in front to extend into adjacent lanes you can take advantage of reduced drag legally and with reduced risk.
137. Never exceed the speed limit
Don't drive too fast or too slow. It takes 20% to 30% more gas to drive at 70 mph than 50 mph.
138. Right turn
When there are quite a few vehicles ahead of you and you are heading for a right turn make sure that you time your approach so that you arrive at the stop sign just as the last car ahead is driving off.
139. Check your tires pressure
By regularly checking that your tire pressures are at the higher end of vehicle manufacturer's specifications, this will mean the tires have the less rolling resistance.
Bear in mind that tire pressure can be affected by ambient temperature. As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure so check it regularly through-out the year and that will also mean that you don't suffer from a sudden change in the weather if the temperature drops and the tire pressure follows.
140. Miracle products - Gas saver devices
There are a lot of 'things' on the market currently which promise to save you fuel and money or money and fuel, they always offer to save but if they work then it is a mystery why these products are 'secret' Hold on to your cash and avoid miracle products - the just aren't that good.
141. Miracle products Gas tank additives
See above - well in principal anyway, all of the additives are already in gas added at source and have been for years.
142. Reduce speed
The faster you drive the greater the aerodynamic drag so if you reduce your speed you will be better off and safer.
As a rule a vehicle's most efficient speed is the one just after the highest gear has engaged.
143. Torque Converter automatic - transmission only
Always try to drive at the speed, which allows the Torque Converter to lock up. Typically this is often around 40-45 mph, it has been proven that speeds just above this typically return the highest cruising gas economy.
144. Drive without shoes
There are some enthusiast hyper-milers who drive in socks or bare feet so they can modulate the accelerator to the finest degree.
145. Drive with very thin soled shoes
Race car drivers usually wear extremely thin sole boots so they can modulate the accelerator to the finest degree because the highest level of tactile feedback from the vehicle enables drivers to finesse the pedals.
146. Drive at 55
Maximum fuel efficiency is 55 mph. This may vary slightly depending on the type of car you drive, but speeds over 60 mph decrease fuel efficiency drastically.
147. Avoid crosswinds
It is not well known but headwinds aren't the only winds that increase gas consumption! Crosswinds can have a significant negative effect as well.
148. Use barriers to crosswinds
If you are experience sever crosswind conditions, try to find a route that has a barrier maybe it is lined with trees or has buildings, the gas saving is noticeable.
149. Up date your auto
Up date your auto, a newer vehicle is the best gas saving device on the market currently especially if you go for a Hybrid.
150. Empty out your ride
Empty out your ride and I mean empty it, don't leave anything in the car that you aren't going to use when you are driving.
151. Using the 'racing line'
Knowing how to use the 'racing line' through a corner (when safe) can help you to preserve momentum. Almost always the racing line is the path through a turn with the largest possible radius.
Using the 'racing line' may allow you to drive around the corner at a higher speed and with more comfort, you will experience less body roll and g-forces and less tire scrub and save gas.
152. Slowing down for best gas economy - Non-Hybrid or Hybrid
A good gas efficient way to slow down is to use careful friction braking, brake slowly applying a constant soft pressure.
153. Slowing down for best gas economy - Hybrid only
If you have a Hybrid vehicle you can save gas by regenerative coasting.
154. Slowing down for best gas economy - Hybrid only
If you have a Hybrid vehicle you can save gas by regenerative braking.
155. Avoid use of 4 wheel drive
The added friction on the engine and other mechanical parts when using four wheel drive mode results in an increase in gas consumption so only use 4 wheel drive when it is really necessary
156. Don't switch off your engine
Switching your engine off for short periods of time can actually increase fuel consumption, as it requires more fuel to get the engine started and your catalytic converter will no longer be running at full temperature and so your car will be less efficient, increasing the amount of pollution you cause.
157. Drive off immediately
Drive off promptly to prevent wasting fuel; don't leave your engine running when you first start up. Drive off straight away if you can, but drive gently until the engine has reached its normal operating temperature. This doesn't increase fuel efficiency as such, but it does mean your engine is switched on for less time.
158. Synthetic engine oils
Always use synthetic engine oil. Good oil improves fuel economy by reducing friction.
159. Use oil treatment agents
Oil treatment agents basically thicken the oil, creating a better seal between the piston and the liner, preventing blow past and consequent loss of combustion pressure, resulting in higher fuel efficiency.
160. Have the 'right' exhaust fitted
Exhausts alter fuel efficiency; most cars have special sizes for the exhaust. When cars are reasonably old the silencer has to be changed. The garage people always try to fit a size that they have in the garage it self. Which might not be the exact size recommended for the car.
The wrong size a bigger or smaller silencer size affects not only the MPG of the car but also the HP. It may be cheaper to put another size than your recommended size for your car but in the long run it will cost you in many ways, especially fuel consumption.
161. The convoy effect
If you are traveling at a constant speed on a freeway buddy up with other drivers traveling at the same constant speed and form a line of traffic, this line will create a beneficial aerodynamic effect and you will save gas.
162. Don't drive in isolation
On a freeway if you are driving alone your gas consumption figures will suffer because of the opposite effect of the above.
163. Avoid use of low range
A great number of 4 wheel drive vehicles come with high and low transmission ranges. Low range increases engine revs per minute (RPM) and therefore gas consumption for any gear/road speed combination compared to high.
164. Minimize regen braking - Hybrids only
Regenerative braking in Hybrid vehicles is the capturing braking energy and transferring it to the battery. It is more efficient than braking with conventional friction brakes, but if you drive without brakes you will get a better mpg.
Consequently even if you drive a Hybrid vehicle you will get better gas economy when you minimize use of the brake pedal.
165. Drive with you lights off during the day
There are some driving conditions where using your lights during the day increases safety. Some cars have lights that can demand up to 100 watts of power, all of that power is supplied by gas and so when the conditions permit it is always advisable to drive with your lights turned off is you want to save gas.
166. Avoid wheel spin on ice or snow
Any form of wheel spin is very inefficient and costs you gas efficiency.
167. Wheel spin and traction control
If your wheels spin and you have a vehicle that is equipped with brake assisted traction control the cost to your gas economy is serious, because the engine is working so hard.
168. Using your eyes
When you approach an intersection showing a green light you can watch the pedestrian signal crossing light to help determine when it will turn yellow.
169. Coping with slower freeway speeds
If are uncomfortable driving at speeds less than the average of the traffic around you on freeways, then identify another vehicle traveling at the speed you want to travel at, the larger the better, then drive either ahead of it or behind and it will meaning that you drive in safely convoy, we are not suggesting drafting though.
170. Timing traffic lights
If you can't see a pedestrian signal, someone waiting to cross the road or any other indication to tell how long a traffic light might have on green, always assume it is about to change and adjust your driving accordingly, coast if possible but always be ready to brake at the lights.
171. Talk to other owners of your model
Ask other people with the same type of car what kind of gas mileage they achieve! It may alert you to a problem with your car.
172. Use good quality engine oil
Use good quality engine oil, preferably synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.
173. Get, give and take advice
Saving gas is in everyone's interest, so get as much information as you can from the web, your friends and the newspapers and share it with your friends and colleagues.
174. Use your gears wisely
Use your gears wisely driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 37mph in third gear uses 25% more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.
175. Follow a recommended maintenance programme
Follow the recommended maintenance programme. A vehicle that is well maintained means it will operate with greater efficiency and following the Recommended Maintenance Programme will not only improve the overall performance of your vehicle it will also lengthen its life.
176. Reduce accessory power loads
Always try to minimize the use of electrical and mechanical accessory loads such as lights, defroster, heater blower, heated seats, DVD players and screens and heated mirrors etc., when safe and practical. Depending upon how far you are going the increase in gas saving is marginal but every little helps.
177. Use the lane with the least disruption
When traveling on a roadway with a number of lanes it is best to choose the lane that looks as though it will not have any disruption so that you can to avoid unnecessary braking and or changes in speed. The lanes to avoid are lanes with buses which will be regularly starting and stopping, or lanes where cars may be braking unpredictably to turn into driveways or parking lots.
178. Upshift coaxing - automatic transmission only
Some automatic transmissions can be coaxed to upshift sooner when accelerating by gently easing of the gas pedal and then gently reapplying pressure and continuing to accelerating.
179. Pretend to turn
If you are traveling at a speed lower than the normal speed of driver around it is important to let vehicles behind you safely pass and do it with the minimum of interruption.
On a freeway one way to achieve this is by pretending to make a turn, signal and move to the correct lane and then let the faster traffic go passed.
180. If you have to carry loads outside the vehicle
If you have to carry loads outside the vehicle. For the best gas consumption don't! But if it is unavoidable carry them on the back of the vehicle instead of on the roof.
181. Use you radio
Always listen to traffic updates and road condition reports on your car radio, so that you are aware of anything that may have an impact on your driving and gas consumption.
182. Don't warm your car
Don't warm your car up by letting it idle. The engine warms up faster when driving than it does when idling, and idling wastes about a quarter of a gallon of gas every 15 minutes.
183. Use a block heater
If you pre-warm your engine with an electric block heater, when you drive off your engine will already be close to running its optimum running temperature. This will save money because using electricity to do the job that the gas in your tank would have done will cost you the equivalent of somewhere in the region of $1 a gallon.
184. Downshift when climbing hills
It is more gas efficient to downshift when climbing a hill than it is to keep accelerating.
185. Drafting
At freeway speeds driving close behind a large vehicle can create a drafting effect and will dramatically reduce gas consumption. However it is not recommended for many reasons, primarily it is dangerous and is illegal in most states.
186. Drive the most fuel-efficient car
Drive the most fuel-efficient car that meets your needs. Compare models and classes. Even similarly sized cars can vary in fuel efficiency by up to 45%. Fuel efficiency is shown as MPG.
187. Burn and coast
Use a technique know as Burn and coast or pulse and glide rather than maintaining a constant speed, where practical, by using the gas pedal briefly and letting momentum or gravity do the rest you will get better gas figures.
188. Push to start
If you have to move your car a short distance for example out of the garage think about just rolling it rather than starting up the engine.
189. Push to go
If you are driving away after parking and you are on a hill or incline simply give your car a shove to get it rolling and then coast as far as possible before starting the engine.
190. Buy a Hybrid
There are some really good reasons why you should choose a Hybrid car instead of conventional gasoline car; Hybrid cars are environment friendly, they can reduce pollution by 90 percent.
Hybrid cars are more reliable than electric cars, as they have gasoline as an alternate fuel.
191. Use cash as an incentive
Never lose sight of the fact that if you save gas you are saving yourself your hard earned folding stuff, now isn't that and incentive?
192. Driving on holiday - buy locally
If you are going on a long trip or on holiday buy gas the day before you travel. You already know where the best gas deals are near your house or office, so you might as well purchase the first tank of your trip at a price you know and can control.
193. Get the most from your Active Fuel Management System
Driving your vehicle smoothly can maximize fuel economy. This is especially true for vehicles equipped with Active Fuel Management systems. To get the most fuel economy from your vehicle, you should strive to maximize your operation in V4 mode (V3 mode for V6 engines). Smooth, steady application of the accelerator pedal up to the desired speed is best.
194. Don't top off your tank
Don't top off your tank when pumping gas. On a warm day, gasoline expands and can overflow and that is bad for your bodywork too!
195. Buy a 'common rail' diesel
If your going to buy a diesel vehicle, ensure it is a new 'common rail' type, as these are approximately 10% more efficient than older diesels.
196. THE MAGNETIC FUEL SAVER
There are loads of adverts on the internet at the moment all full of loads nonsense avoid these products and as a rule of thumb ANY THING USING CAPITALS TO ADVERTS ITS WORTH it won't work and isn't worth the cash you would waste on it.
197. Read
Read your insurance and auto dealer newsletters for tips on how to get better gas mileage.
198. Try not to jackrabbit
Jackrabbit starts hurt your mileage. Don't jam on the gas from a dead start. Be calm on the road by anticipating traffic flow; ease up on the accelerator instead of braking and gassing, braking and gassing.
199. Invest in something smaller
Smaller vehicles offer benefits in gas consumption and nowadays are not that much smaller inside the cabin; they are worth thinking about these days.
200. Use the gas recommended for your vehicle
Use the grade recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer. High-octane fuel may not only be a waste of money but may harm your vehicle, as well.
201. Use Eco tires
If you are replacing tires then consider some of the newer 'Eco' tires that are designed specifically to increase fuel efficiency.
03-07-2011, 05:43 PM
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03-09-2011, 05:25 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
hawkze, thanks for wasting bandwidth. If I wanted to be a tree-hugging dick sniffer, I'd move to San Fran and drive a prius.
Eclectia-Thanks, that is actually helpful. I know ethanol decreases efficiency, i'll research local stations that sell ethanol-free gas.
just FYI, I traded a diesel jetta for this CRV because of family changes, so I know what good mpg is and I know I stepped into something getting about half the mpg the Jetta did, but I also know there are ways to improve without being a jackass.
Eclectia-Thanks, that is actually helpful. I know ethanol decreases efficiency, i'll research local stations that sell ethanol-free gas.
just FYI, I traded a diesel jetta for this CRV because of family changes, so I know what good mpg is and I know I stepped into something getting about half the mpg the Jetta did, but I also know there are ways to improve without being a jackass.
03-09-2011, 05:40 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
Are you not able to scan through that list and find some things that might apply to you?
03-09-2011, 06:56 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
The things that apply to me are common sense and I already do them.
Not use a/c? You're in Tx, you surely know heat. I work in an office, I can't show up to work every day in office attire sweating my *** off from not using a/c.
And frankly, I've proven in multiple vehicles that windows open uses more fuel than a/c does due to added drag.
Tires? Spend $600+ on eco tires....but when would you recover that expense? heh. I run my tires at 35psi, no more or abnormal wear decreases life.
Unfortunately my career, home location, and several other factors cannot be changed so much of the ludicrous suggestions on that list do not apply.
And public transportation? Works great if you're in a major city, otherwise we all know the sad state of public transportation in this country. In my great state, my ******* governor has turned down billions of dollars from the Feds to build high speed rail on a route I would gladly ride. Our buses are sad, they're mainly for ferrying drug addicts around town and the routes are terrible, not to mention they don't run within 2 miles of my house, and there are no park-and-rides.
I'm thinkin modifications such as freeing up the breathing on the motor...the easier air can get in and get out, the more efficient the motor will run. Also considering an oil bypass filter as well, keep the oil as clean as possible. Waxing the car will help by possibly 1/2mpg or so by decreasing drag.....yes, it can actually work.
Other than that, I know I'm not going to get 35mpg out of this thing, but 21mpg on the last tank ain't gonna cut it. And that was with 40% a/c use and mixed city/highway.
Not use a/c? You're in Tx, you surely know heat. I work in an office, I can't show up to work every day in office attire sweating my *** off from not using a/c.
And frankly, I've proven in multiple vehicles that windows open uses more fuel than a/c does due to added drag.
Tires? Spend $600+ on eco tires....but when would you recover that expense? heh. I run my tires at 35psi, no more or abnormal wear decreases life.
Unfortunately my career, home location, and several other factors cannot be changed so much of the ludicrous suggestions on that list do not apply.
And public transportation? Works great if you're in a major city, otherwise we all know the sad state of public transportation in this country. In my great state, my ******* governor has turned down billions of dollars from the Feds to build high speed rail on a route I would gladly ride. Our buses are sad, they're mainly for ferrying drug addicts around town and the routes are terrible, not to mention they don't run within 2 miles of my house, and there are no park-and-rides.
I'm thinkin modifications such as freeing up the breathing on the motor...the easier air can get in and get out, the more efficient the motor will run. Also considering an oil bypass filter as well, keep the oil as clean as possible. Waxing the car will help by possibly 1/2mpg or so by decreasing drag.....yes, it can actually work.
Other than that, I know I'm not going to get 35mpg out of this thing, but 21mpg on the last tank ain't gonna cut it. And that was with 40% a/c use and mixed city/highway.
03-09-2011, 07:38 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
So lets say you get a nice I/H/E combo and free up the airflow path dramatically; what are you going to do about the throttle plate that blocks the entire diameter of said airflow path?
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03-09-2011, 12:24 PM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
the fact is, with responsible driving, an easier inlet and outlet path for air will increase efficiency, no question.
am I doing a header? hell no. This has to be somewhat quiet as a daily driver with a wife and kid.
03-09-2011, 01:47 PM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
My apologies, not trying to get anyone bent out of shape here, I an simply questioning the idea that aftermarket intake and exhaust parts will increase gas milage.
Driving in a way that promotes better fuel economy is going to mean applying the gas pedal as little as possible, while aftermarket airflow parts are not going to produce any changes until you get to the point that the stock system is a restriction (higher in rpm range and more likely in WOT).
this is true only after the point in the rpm range that the aftermarket parts flow better than the OEM parts, otherwise there is no change.
So IMO it just seems pointless.....not trying to offend you or anything.
Driving in a way that promotes better fuel economy is going to mean applying the gas pedal as little as possible, while aftermarket airflow parts are not going to produce any changes until you get to the point that the stock system is a restriction (higher in rpm range and more likely in WOT).
the fact is, with responsible driving, an easier inlet and outlet path for air will increase efficiency, no question.
So IMO it just seems pointless.....not trying to offend you or anything.
03-10-2011, 12:51 PM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
Sorry. but hawkze 2.3 is right. He gave you 201 options that have been thoroughly researched and thats the thanks he gets? That is THE most useful information you can find. I used that exact site to get 27 mpg out of my 01 cr-v on my 6400 mile cross country trip with another person, my dog,an inverter running a mini-fridge, camping gear, and everything else that goes with a cross country journey. And for the intake, not smart, if it makes more power, which intakes do, it uses more fuel. Stock motors are usually the most efficient.
03-10-2011, 03:47 PM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
check out my crv build thread in my sig. I have a 1st gen but I have increased my mpgs by 5 mpgs in town with some light mods. My highway mpgs have gone up about 7 or 8. I would suggest buying a scangauge 2. , It does nothing to improve your mpgs but it helps with your driving style leading to greener mpgs. I personally installed a vacuum gauge in my V instead but used a scangauge in both my 05 civic and rsx. If you search through my old threads you can see the custom mount i made for my civic.
03-11-2011, 05:10 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
I disagree with you 100%. Manufacturers build motors to meet emissions standards first, then for economy.
If an engine does not have to force exhaust out of the system (i.e. backpressure) it is more efficient.
Why do you think diesel motors respond so well to tuners? Both by getting significantly more power and better economy to the tune of up to 5mpg?
programmers for light trucks also respond well to tuners via better economy.
Shoot, I'd be willing to bet careful programming via a k-pro on a CRV would improve economy.
If I still had my innovate LM-1 I'd plug it in pre-cat to see just how rich this thing runs.
As for the intake not making it more efficient, you're forgetting the whole throttle plate thing. The throttle does not allow the entire volume of air from the intake to enter the engine.........these aren't throttle-less diesels here. Given careful driving, I'd bet an intake with a good filter could see a 2-3mpg increase. Especially in warmer temperatures where the stock airbox, highly restrictive, is not able to take in as much oxygen (less oxygen by volume in warm air than cool air) as the intake.
You can't tell me the stock restrictive exhaust on the crv is the best for economy, either.
If an engine does not have to force exhaust out of the system (i.e. backpressure) it is more efficient.
Why do you think diesel motors respond so well to tuners? Both by getting significantly more power and better economy to the tune of up to 5mpg?
programmers for light trucks also respond well to tuners via better economy.
Shoot, I'd be willing to bet careful programming via a k-pro on a CRV would improve economy.
If I still had my innovate LM-1 I'd plug it in pre-cat to see just how rich this thing runs.
As for the intake not making it more efficient, you're forgetting the whole throttle plate thing. The throttle does not allow the entire volume of air from the intake to enter the engine.........these aren't throttle-less diesels here. Given careful driving, I'd bet an intake with a good filter could see a 2-3mpg increase. Especially in warmer temperatures where the stock airbox, highly restrictive, is not able to take in as much oxygen (less oxygen by volume in warm air than cool air) as the intake.
You can't tell me the stock restrictive exhaust on the crv is the best for economy, either.
03-11-2011, 06:38 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
You do that. You are beyond help if you think comparing diesel programmers in any way compare to an intake. Restrictive equals economical and quiet. Just to reinterate. If it flows better, it uses more fuel. I also don't think you quite understand back pressure. In short, it helps create a rhythm of the exhaust pulses out of a NA motor, not really necessary in a go to hell turbo car, but extremely important on an NA one. Emissions standards coincide with economy in general. If i a car isn't blowing CO and unburned fuel out of it's ***, it is two things. within emissions standards, and efficient. As for the intake and throttle plate. You are adding something that is more restrictive AND something that is less restrictive and that is going to help? Any more than a combination found on the list above?
03-11-2011, 06:46 AM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
I disagree with you 100%. Manufacturers build motors to meet emissions standards first, then for economy.
If an engine does not have to force exhaust out of the system (i.e. backpressure) it is more efficient.
Why do you think diesel motors respond so well to tuners? Both by getting significantly more power and better economy to the tune of up to 5mpg?
programmers for light trucks also respond well to tuners via better economy.
Shoot, I'd be willing to bet careful programming via a k-pro on a CRV would improve economy.
If I still had my innovate LM-1 I'd plug it in pre-cat to see just how rich this thing runs.
As for the intake not making it more efficient, you're forgetting the whole throttle plate thing. The throttle does not allow the entire volume of air from the intake to enter the engine.........these aren't throttle-less diesels here. Given careful driving, I'd bet an intake with a good filter could see a 2-3mpg increase. Especially in warmer temperatures where the stock airbox, highly restrictive, is not able to take in as much oxygen (less oxygen by volume in warm air than cool air) as the intake.
You can't tell me the stock restrictive exhaust on the crv is the best for economy, either.
If an engine does not have to force exhaust out of the system (i.e. backpressure) it is more efficient.
Why do you think diesel motors respond so well to tuners? Both by getting significantly more power and better economy to the tune of up to 5mpg?
programmers for light trucks also respond well to tuners via better economy.
Shoot, I'd be willing to bet careful programming via a k-pro on a CRV would improve economy.
If I still had my innovate LM-1 I'd plug it in pre-cat to see just how rich this thing runs.
As for the intake not making it more efficient, you're forgetting the whole throttle plate thing. The throttle does not allow the entire volume of air from the intake to enter the engine.........these aren't throttle-less diesels here. Given careful driving, I'd bet an intake with a good filter could see a 2-3mpg increase. Especially in warmer temperatures where the stock airbox, highly restrictive, is not able to take in as much oxygen (less oxygen by volume in warm air than cool air) as the intake.
You can't tell me the stock restrictive exhaust on the crv is the best for economy, either.
03-11-2011, 07:42 AM
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03-11-2011, 10:39 PM
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Re: 3rd gen V economy mods
seriously, try out some of the mods I did and see where you get. It worked for me so how about we try something out and quit whining like little girls on the internet
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