Fuel Saving Tips
Smart Driving
You can measure a person's intelligence by how fast they speed up to a red light. Judging by how often I see this occur, I have to question most drivers. Look further down the road and watch the traffic lights. If there is a red light, slow down and coast up to the red, do not speed ahead like a shortsighted driver. And for the people on your azz? They will get a lesson in efficient, intelligent driving as their car is still rolling when the light turns to green, saving everyone gas mileage as well as unnecessary wear on vehicle breaks. In smaller cities this works amazingly well. In bigger cities some stop lights are quite long so this may not work AS well, but still, no one, and I mean NO ONE should be speeding up to a red light. Do not let foolish drivers behind you rush you up to a red light. Intelligence must own the day.
posted by Peakstar on June 20, 2014
this tip works for 92% of voting Fuelly members.
price per gallon
I like to patronize stations that have lower prices, but a very simple spreadsheet with fuel cost and distance to the regular stations where you fill up will tell you if there is any savings to drive to a farther station to save money on the per gallon price.
posted by Q5TDI on June 16, 2014
this tip works for 52% of voting Fuelly members.
Clean your car often
Cleaning your car, especially your underside is important as it will slow down the corrosion of exposed metals and prevent costly repairs. Pay attention at the wheel wells, it's where most of the dirt is accumulated. Make sure to use distilled water or wipe it dry! A clean car may also reduce air drag.
posted by Cinon on June 14, 2014
this tip works for 75% of voting Fuelly members.
Clean your car often
Cleaning your car, especially your underside is important as it will slow down the corrosion of exposed metals and prevent costly repairs. Pay attention at the wheel wells, it's where most of the dirt is accumulated. Make sure to use distilled water or wipe it dry!
posted by Cinon on June 14, 2014
this tip works for 47% of voting Fuelly members.
Try to do your own simple maintenance
A lot of times, simple maintainence can make a huge difference in fuel economy, especially if you have an older car. Simple things like cleaning your MAF sensor and throttle body can be done in less than 15 min but can make a car much more efficient. Also, check engine lights can decrease fuel economy. Various sensors can trip a CEL, and most are not expensive and/or hard to replace. Diagnose and fix check engine lights early, because even though the car still runs and drives fine, it is not operating at max efficency!
posted by flyzizzerz on June 12, 2014
this tip works for 97% of voting Fuelly members.
Save fuel by being a defensive driver...
If you look ahead for traffic and maintain safe distances, you can anticipate slow downs and minimize braking. Also, if you can avoid coming to complete stop at traffic lights (try to anticipate when it is going to go from red to green, not running red lights), you can maintain momentum and save fuel.
posted by Ironman11142 on June 12, 2014
this tip works for 98% of voting Fuelly members.
AC power save
To save use of your AC, turn it on high until it gets cold, then just turn the AC off and let the fan alone blow air from the freezing cold vent.
posted by tstrawbridge on June 24, 2013
this tip works for 30% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep your feet to yourself!
While your foot is not on the gas and the vehicle is moving, unless you own a carburated car, you're not burning fuel. As you can imagine, moving without burning fuel is good for your MPGs.
posted by iana on June 22, 2013
this tip works for 89% of voting Fuelly members.
Are you using your dash fuel mileage meter?
Most modern vehicles have a built in fuel mileage meter. The only bad thing about that is they may be hard to read. To get better fuel mileage you need to watch the fuel meter about once a Minute or oftener. This means your eyes aren't on the road. That's not good. I have mounted mine over the dash allowing me to watch it easily and safely. (Some states won't allow that.) The fuel saved can be great. I just installed a DashDyno SPD and my first long trip resulted in over 38 mpg, vs 28 mpg normally.See my AdVantage The next Tip I will show you how to drive with a MPG Gauge. CrazyLee
posted by Paisano on June 21, 2013
this tip works for 33% of voting Fuelly members.
AeroStang wants to help- Master Fuel Tips
I often find strange and abstract ideas on here, from extremes like not using stop signs, to simply keeping the fuel tank empty to half full. In my 2012 Mustang, 305 hp (before intake and exhaust) 3.7 liter, I routinely get 37+ mpg in my car. And I want to help you maximize your fuel economy, too. Some of these tips will have major gains, others will just help a bit. |||||To just save fuel: -Drive less! Carpool, bike, walk, move closer to work, take the bus. |||||To make driving more efficient: -Clean out the junk in your car. True, 5 lbs isn't much on one tank, but when you spend six years carrying those extra pounds, it DOES add up. -When possible, drive with lighter traffic (times of day, or path). Less cars on the road means easier to time lights, and use other FE techniques. -Take a path that minimizes side winds and head on winds. -Don't idle excessively! Instead of a drive through, train waits, or construction stops, turn your engine off. 30 seconds idling uses 150-400% the amount of fuel to start the engine, depending on engine size. Over 30? Park it! -Time your lights! What would happen if you needed less fuel to get going? And didn't waste your momentum? And got stuck at less lights? You'd be getting much better MPGs. -Windows up w/ Electric fan. Although electricity use makes the alternator work harder, the drag from windows is worse. -"Drive without brakes" is safe in the sense of planning your fuel use. If you are coming to a stop sign, |||||General Tips: -Use a gauge or instrument to see real world FE. You have to know what works and doesn't. -Track your fuel economy, how do you know your getting better or something works if you don't keep track? -Leave early! If you rush, you won't be focusing on FE. -Fill up in cooler weather (like night), as fuel is measured by volume, so filling up at night gets you more fuel for less.
posted by FazerThou on June 19, 2013
this tip works for 70% of voting Fuelly members.
There's an app for that! Fuel prices
In Canada (and I'm sure there are apps for USA and other countries) you can get an app for iPhone or Android that can tell you if the gas prices are going up or down the next day after 5pm and also what the local prices are at different stations around the area.(tomorrows gas price today for price predictions, gas buddy for local station prices) Every night on the drive home I check. If its going up (sometimes as much as 2-3 cents per L) the next day I stop and fuel up before it goes up. While not directly affecting fuel economy it does effect wallet economy! Combined with the 7cent/L I save with cards I can save $5-6 per fuel up every time!
posted by jhall49 on June 18, 2013
this tip works for 86% of voting Fuelly members.
Don't Overfill
You could be throwing money away or worse. Most modern vehicles are designed for the filling nozzle to be fully inserted and for you to only re-try when it stops once or twice. If you add more fuel than that it could leak out the airlock when you pull away. Fuel will also be cold while it is underground and it expands slightly on hot days. If your tanks is too full then it leaks out of the airlock and onto the road surface, wasting your money and lowering your perceived MPG. Worst still; spilt fuel is a hazard to other road users, especially motorcycles. If you have ever notices a rainbow effect on the road; usually on wet days, that is likely to be spilt fuel. If a tire goes through this it will loose grip. Save yourself some money and possible save someone elses life. Don't overfill your tank; it might cost you a couple of miles total range but it could save you and others a lot more.
posted by jwpPHOTOS on June 12, 2013
this tip works for 93% of voting Fuelly members.
Things to consider...
To drive the car efficiently, the cruising speeds should be in km/h, so instead of doing 60mph do 100km/h, instead of 50mph do 80km/h. This is because the gearing and the fuel map are geared for the European fuel-consumption tests, which are based on average speed limits, which are in Europe are mainly in km/h. -Downshift BEFORE the hill. -Don't break, or as little as possible. -Don't vary speed.
posted by matthewmal on June 2, 2013
this tip works for 5% of voting Fuelly members.
DON'T Coast for the Very Best Consumption
Contrary to all the tips on here about coasting on hills or when approaching junctions/red lights to save fuel, it's not actually the most fuel-efficient way to drive. If you coast with the clutch fully depressed, the engine has nothing driving it so has to burn fuel to prevent it from stalling. However, if you come off the accelerator but leave the car in gear (the highest possible, changing down if necessary as you lose speed to prevent stalling), then the wheels continue to drive the engine through the gearbox so no fuel is needed. You lose a bit more speed than coasting due to engine compression, but if you stay in as high a gear as your speed allows then it's negligible.
posted by ajanjo on May 31, 2013
this tip works for 79% of voting Fuelly members.
Medium Acceleration, shift early, plan ahead
This applies mainly to cars with manual transmission, or automatics with manual shift-option (eg. pedal-shifter). Medium Acceleration & Shift early: - Overly dragging out the acceleration process may actually use more gas. As a rule of thumb, depressing the pedal by 1/4 to 1/3 is fine. - Do NOT rev the engine past ~2500rpm in standard situations! Look look for the lowest RPM point to shift gear which will still allow you to tap into torque once you shifted. You will consume more gas if you shift too early and have to push the pedal harder in the next gear to reach RPMs where the engine feels fine again. Rule of thumb: For 4cyl. gas engines, try not to land under 1500rpm after the shift. This number may be lower for 6cyl, or 8cyl engines (more low-end torque). Plan Ahead: - In city and rural areas, do not over-accelerate, only build up the speed you need to overcome the next obstacle ahead with no / minimal braking (bend, traffic lights, closing gap to traffic ahead). - Chances are your daily commute counts for the most miles driven. It should be easy to build a profile for this. Learn traffic light cycles, keep your speed steady, take advantage the terrain if possible. - Engine break. This makes most sense for newer engines which will cut the fuel supply and use even less gas than letting them idle. Contra: Rev-matching may use more gas but make your clutch last longer. I coast as long as possible within the current gear.
posted by Sathirel on May 15, 2013
this tip works for 97% of voting Fuelly members.
Decrease your weight, increase your MPG
Between 30 to 50 pounds of weight from your vehicle can net you a 1% savings in gas mileage. "Junk in your trunk" has a dual-use here. Tidy up your car, and if applicable, tidy up your body.
posted by vwooks on May 13, 2013
this tip works for 91% of voting Fuelly members.
Wider throttle opening, lower RPM
Car and Driver magazine, whom I trust in many regards, have on several occasions said that one way for better fuel economy is to use a wider throttle opening (step harder on the gas pedal) but keep the revs low. The first part of this is counterintuitive, but it is more efficient than equivalent acceleration from giving it less gas but letting revs climb higher. Unfortunately, automatic transmissions are programmed against allowing this for some reason (almost none of them will let you upshift at 2100 RPM at 80% throttle), so I guess I'm really only talking to those of you driving with all three pedals) :) To reiterate, when accelerating with moderate gusto (like merging onto a highway), don't be afraid to use 80-100% throttle while shifting at maybe 2100-2300 RPM. It uses less gas than accelerating at the same rate using 25% throttle and shifting at higher RPM. Note: It's also bad for the engine if you floor it at really low RPM. I'd try to avoid using revs less than 1500 for meaningful acceleration. I could explain why this works, but I believe this is winded enough. PM me if you would like to know. Hope I'm helping :)
posted by cmartin2470 on May 10, 2013
this tip works for 62% of voting Fuelly members.
Substitute 'Fix-a-Flat' for your spare tire.
Removing weight increases fuel mileage. Your spare tire weighs a lot. You can temporarily seal and inflate a punctured tire with a can of Fix-A-Flat. You can then either return home and put on your spare, or drive to an auto shop and get your tire patched. Assuming removing the spare tire saves 0.25 - 0.5 MPG, the can (~$10) would pay for itself in about 4-8000 miles. Not the best return on investment, but not bad either.
posted by dbsplanet on May 7, 2013
this tip works for 8% of voting Fuelly members.
Time to change fuel types.
Is your car shaking on idle? MPG not as good as it use to be? Chances are your engine is old, needs a cleaning, or you have a plugged valve. Change to a higher octane fuel or get octane boost and fuel cleaners.
posted by Mitch6R on May 7, 2013
this tip works for 29% of voting Fuelly members.
Fuel Efficency & Brands
In some ways fuel like alcohol, sometimes the next "brew" is stronger, sometimes its weaker. A hallowed gas station will usually have a regular supplier, so the gas prices and quality wont change usually. JUST DON'T GET HUNG UP ON A CERTAIN BRAND OF FUEL, just find the best stations along your well traveled routes! Consider buying a higher octane fuel when its only a couple cents more, in a light weight car it could translate into 3-6 MPG
posted by Mitch6R on April 30, 2013
this tip works for 11% of voting Fuelly members.
Traffic : Standard Transmission
When driving a stick shift in traffic you should travel slightly slower then the car in front of you, this will leave a large gap and cars may enter your lane but you wont need to constantly change gears, and you will save gas and you will be more comfortable.
posted by Mitch6R on April 25, 2013
this tip works for 80% of voting Fuelly members.
Travel Light!
In a lightweight car every item you add decreases your mileage. Keep your trunk empty when you can, when buying a sub-woofer, pick a lightweight option, most large boxes are very heavy. If you are looking for some unique MPG figures, I have friends who completely remove their interiors and extra seats for better mileage and handling on their sub-compacts. I wouldn't do it myself and you should think twice about ditching your spare tire if you don't have roadside assistance!
posted by Mitch6R on April 24, 2013
this tip works for 91% of voting Fuelly members.
watch your Air pressure - the follow up
Those drivers who set their air pressure to the higher end of the suggested range to improve fuel economy need to be especially vigilant to the rising spring temperatures. If your car recommends 32-38psi, you may choose to set your tires to 38psi for the best fuel economy. If you hit a warm day, your tires may read 42psi or more just because of the warmer temps have expanded the air in the tires. Now might be a good time to bring the pressures back to nominal to prevent over-inflation once it gets toward summer.
posted by mattfitznz on April 23, 2013
this tip works for 88% of voting Fuelly members.
Shoe choice
A thin shoe or just socks allows for a more precise feel of pedal pressure. Big boots greatly reduce the ability to feel pressure between your foot and the pedal. If you have a instant fuel use gauge try skipping the big shoes and notice how easier it is to feel the pedal.
posted by choppysmash on April 22, 2013
this tip works for 44% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep an eye on crosswalk signs
When driving through any type of cityscape, there is more than likely going to be some signalized intersections. Many signalized intersections also support pedestrians. By checking on the crosswalk signals, you can sometimes anticipate light changes (green to red in most cases); If a crosswalk signal for the cross traffic only has a few seconds left on the stop crossing signal, then you know that the signal will change and should therefore prepare to stop sooner (let off the gas and apply more gradual braking). This will eliminate many sudden stops at light changes, which will improve your mpg and increase the lifetime of your braking system.
posted by Fuelwaster on April 17, 2013
this tip works for 97% of voting Fuelly members.
Drive Smarter, not Faster!
Racing from red light to red light does not get you to where you are going any faster than if you just drive the limit, accelerate moderately, and coast when you see a light about to turn or already red. A good friend once told me, "It takes a special kind of Stupid to race to a red light" If you like coffee, just think, every gallon saved is 3 large Mcdonalds coffees with change left over.
posted by rfh1987 on April 12, 2013
this tip works for 94% of voting Fuelly members.
When buying LRR know this.
Low rolling resistance tires also have low grip, and you may notice poor grip if you live somewhere not built like a grid. I would rather buy a grippy tire and keep my speed in the corners. Do your research!!
posted by Mitch6R on April 8, 2013
this tip works for 63% of voting Fuelly members.
Walk
Walk more, drive less.
posted by mzachman on April 6, 2013
this tip works for 59% of voting Fuelly members.
Be courteous
When you are making a left off of a road, try to hug the middle line as much as possible, so that the people behind you can pass easily. Too often do I see people seemingly deliberately take up the whole road so no one can pass (a real nuisance when there is a lot of oncoming traffic). Also, when you are stopped at a red light, and the vehicle behind you wants to make a right, try to give them enough room. It could just be a foot or two, but it saves them a lot of time.
posted by snwbdr09173 on April 2, 2013
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Shifting Automatic Transmissions manually
I saw two posts one by BenjaminWKI and another about using the manual shift mode on automatics to keep RPMs low. I have found a 16% improvement in fuel economy by doing this. Combined with another tip to accelerate briskly at 50-75% throttle is brilliant in my Passat v6 wagon. I am constantly trying to get into top gear as soon as possible and I can get into 6th gear past 40 mph at about 1,300 rpms. I regularly barely get 22 mpg but on two deliberate attempts to get good MPG I went from 25 mpg in fully automatic to 29 mpg when shifting at 2000 rpms manually. Also "manual" mode on the highway in cruise, my car does not kick down to 5th gear unless I really slow a lot. In normal "Drive" the engine downshifts on long hills and overpasses pretty quickly to maintain roadspeed. In "manual" mode it really lugs down to around 1,500 rpms before downshifting.
posted by mexglx on March 28, 2013
this tip works for 70% of voting Fuelly members.
