Fuel Saving Tips
Headlights On? / Use Engine ON coasting to keep battery charged
During the day I practice aggressive EOC (engine off coasting). But at night with your headlights on long periods of EOC may mean parking your car with a less than fully charged car battery. If you use your car infrequently, you might return to a battery too weak to start your car. To avoid that problem, when your headlights are on, simply use an Engine ON Coasting method. - Doug in Oakland, California :)
posted by ChewChewTrain on March 20, 2016
this tip works for 6% of voting Fuelly members.
Concern
The low gas light switches on early because it is very bad for the engine to run the tank dry, so even if the vehicle has a 20 gallon tank the light will switch on so you don't ruin your engine
posted by dc2000 on March 18, 2016
this tip works for 31% of voting Fuelly members.
Don't rush !
Remember - it's better to be 5 minutes late in this world than 35 years early in the next world
posted by trevorswaine on March 17, 2016
this tip works for 95% of voting Fuelly members.
Coasting choices
Many new cars have DFCO - deceleration fuel cut-off - that completely stop the fuel flow (even in non-hybrids) when coasting in gear. This adds drag, but uses zero fuel - good for downhills or slowing. To better maintain speed, consider depressing the gas pedal about 1/2" (1 cm). This adds very slight gas usage, and is very close to coasting in neutral for gas consumption. Check it for your car using a Scangauge or similar tool.
posted by nerfer on March 17, 2016
this tip works for 71% of voting Fuelly members.
Changing Engine Oil Regularly
Don't forget to change the engine oil! A cleaner and high quality engine oil can lead to higher MPGs and to help a vehicle last longer!
posted by SpeedInterceptor100 on March 9, 2016
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Lose weight
The less you weigh the less gas it takes to get your vehicle going.
posted by djc5581 on March 6, 2016
this tip works for 89% of voting Fuelly members.
Top Tier Fuel not what it's pumped up to be
An additive package cannot make good fuel out of dirty, low-quality crap. I know of one station that is advertised as "Top Tier" on Gas Buddy that sold diesel fuel that was so contaminated it was dark brown in color. Two of our company rigs had clogged filters soon after fuelling up at one of these stations. We haven't been back, since, and I now look at the Top Tier claims with great skepticism.
posted by Jedda on March 6, 2016
this tip works for 31% of voting Fuelly members.
Dont Drive Farther To Save A Few Cents II
If a gas station across town in a few cents cheaper, don't go out of your way to save a few cents. You will probably burn the cents on the way there and back.
posted by Carlsonnr on February 26, 2016
this tip works for 95% of voting Fuelly members.
Diesel, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid MPG
Check out my page to see real world mileage of various fuel efficient vehicles driven over the same route. MPG is only fuel use, and does not include electricity obtained from the grid. The cost per mile is an interesting figure.
posted by CaseyAT on February 23, 2016
this tip works for 14% of voting Fuelly members.
ethanol free gas
I have an old vehicle that does not like ethanol gas. You want ethanol free gas? go here to find your station http://www.pure-gas.org/
posted by labteklen on February 16, 2016
this tip works for 76% of voting Fuelly members.
Why real-time mpg computers are beneficial
It's common knowledge that on-board fuel economy meters can be slightly optimistic, however, in my experience, they've never been off more than 5% from the real mathematically-calculated figures, often less than 3%. However, for those striving for the best fuel economy, these meters can be helpful for an entirely unrelated reason. They can help us all drive more economically. Regardless of how accurate your computer is, it will likely help train you to drive more efficiently when you have your avg mpg staring you in the face every time you get behind the wheel.
posted by jldude on February 16, 2016
this tip works for 95% of voting Fuelly members.
Its easy
DON"T DRIVE YOUR CAR...
posted by Orejap on February 13, 2016
this tip works for 27% of voting Fuelly members.
Open up intake and exhaust on older vehicles
Running a proper Cold-Air Intake or Short-Ram Intake can increase mileage by 2-3mpgs. Going to a larger diameter, better flowing exhaust system and also increase mileage. Both of these have worked very well for my pre96 vehicles. My 94 Voyager is running a SRI and averages over 25mpg, prior to the intake it averaged around 23mpg. The 95 is the same story, it used to struggle to pull over 20mpg, now its around 23 everytime.
posted by VanCollector on February 8, 2016
this tip works for 25% of voting Fuelly members.
Consider the time to leave when parking.
Going into a parking space forwards might be faster, so use less fuel, than reversing in. However, is it faster to reverse out of the space? Most of the time it's not & you'll be using more fuel as the engine will be cold(er). As a bonus you're far less likely to hit someone or something if you revers into a parking space.
posted by techathy on February 4, 2016
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Use cruise control to improve mpg
Edmunds web site's test results: Up to 14-percent savings by using cruise control, average savings of 7 percent. This is for fairly flat roads, not for mountainous areas.
posted by easydoesit on February 1, 2016
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
re Danger of using Angel Gear
Angel Gear is neutral, a most dangerous practice going downhill to save fuel or to pick up speed from the weight of the vehicle & the incline. Save fuel maybe - cause accidents probably. With no engine braking this practice is exceptionally dangerous. Where accidents have been created with this use its usually you & I that come off second best - not the experimenter !
posted by e36ham on January 29, 2016
this tip works for 36% of voting Fuelly members.
back into parking spots in cold weather
Not only does this give you a better & safer view when pulling out, it's easier on the transmission to go into forward drive when fluids are cold rather than spinning in reverse gear when the transmission is at it's coldest.
posted by on2wheels on January 29, 2016
this tip works for 78% of voting Fuelly members.
top tier gas
I always get better gas mileage at stations that have top tier gas and it keeps the throttle body clean
posted by labteklen on January 28, 2016
this tip works for 36% of voting Fuelly members.
Hypermiling does MORE than Money at the Gas Pump!
Less aggressive acceleration reduces tire wear. Less braking reduces tire wear AND brake pads/rotors. Hypermiling also lowers stress. You'll arrive at your destination less anxious. - Doug in Oakland, CA
posted by ChewChewTrain on January 22, 2016
this tip works for 93% of voting Fuelly members.
Leave early
Kind of a no brainer, but I've found that if I want to slow down and save fuel, it helps to start before I even leave the house. If I'm ready to walk out the door but have extra time, I can either putz around at home or go ahead an leave. Getting on the road early means I can relax and drive whatever speed I want. Luckily, most of my hour long commute to work is on a relatively quiet country road, so I can drive 45 without anyone raging at me.
posted by because76mpg on January 22, 2016
this tip works for 98% of voting Fuelly members.
Lighten your AC Load by Painting your Roof White
My 1989 Civic hatchback doesn't have air conditioning and, even though the car is light blue, the interior can still get quite hot. So I borrowed a design idea from those Mini Coopers you see with white roofs. I used Plasti Dip to paint my roof white. Because it's a rubberize paint, I can always peel it off to return the car to original. The white roof makes a VERY noticeable difference with the cabin temperature. - Doug in Oakland, CA
posted by ChewChewTrain on January 18, 2016
this tip works for 35% of voting Fuelly members.
Drift Wide Around Corners
When turning corners, you'll scrub off LESS momentum by NOT turning so sharply. NOTE: When making a right turn, California vehicle code you're suppose to turn alongside the curb. But, when making a left turn you can make a wide turn and drift into the far lane to keep up your vehicle speed. - Doug in Oakland, CA
posted by ChewChewTrain on January 17, 2016
this tip works for 22% of voting Fuelly members.
Smartest Driver on the Road
Drive according to the stoplights. At almost every single stoplight that turns red on approach you will notice other drivers just keep barreling up toward the light and then finally hitting the brakes hard at the end. This shows more than anything how simple minded and unintelligent humans generally are. When a light changes red you must immediately let off of the gas! If you coast slow enough you won't even have to stop (in smaller towns) and will still be rolling when the light changes green. This is how I drive, and when you start driving this way you will be the smartest driver on the road.
posted by Peakstar on January 16, 2016
this tip works for 97% of voting Fuelly members.
Check Engine Light diagnostic may become a Gas Saving Tip
Did that yellow or red Check engine light come on? Have it diagnosed right away and don't ever delay if it needs a repair to your Oxygen Sensors and Mass-air flow sensors when they go bad. It will cost you a lot of money as they reduce MPG or may damage the engine if they are not functional and kept properly adjusted.
posted by andy92129 on January 14, 2016
this tip works for 88% of voting Fuelly members.
planning your kindness at junctions?
Many drivers stop to let others out at junctions, but are they considering there fuel consumption, carbon emissions and kindness to those following them? Better to look well ahead and increase the gap between you and the vehicle ahead so the driver has time to emerge without you stopping. Do you check your mirror to see how many people behind you stop when you let one vehicle out if a junction?
posted by mookev on January 9, 2016
this tip works for 86% of voting Fuelly members.
Try to avoid stops
Look well ahead and avoid accelerating towards hazards and stops. Lift off early for that traffic light, queue or roundabout. Can you get there when you can go.? Imagine the "speed" film with Sandra Bullock? Your car will explode if you go slower that 5mph. !
posted by mookev on January 9, 2016
this tip works for 94% of voting Fuelly members.
Achieving High MPG Requires a Race Car Driver's Mentality
The best MPG tip I can offer is to reset that thing between your ears. While you and race car drivers move at opposite ends of the speedometer that's the only difference. Both think of ways to modify their vehicles to perform better. Both choose appropriate driving tactics to get around efficiently. Both use driving skills, whether it be EOC or picking the right corner line. So, consider a new tankful of gas as the "drop of the green flag" and the start of a "new race". And, pulling into a gas station is the drop of your "checkered flag". Be efficient! Doug in Oakland, CA
posted by ChewChewTrain on January 8, 2016
this tip works for 70% of voting Fuelly members.
Neutral coasting
Coasting in neutral in most cases is more fuel efficient then leaving the transmission in gear and allowing the ECU to shut off the injectors. This is because in neutral you can coast MUCH farther than you can with the transmission in gear and engine braking. If you need to slow down then and only then should you coast in gear as the engine braking is beneficial at that time.
posted by campisi on December 23, 2015
this tip works for 34% of voting Fuelly members.
Park your car facing East every night
This especially helps in the winter when the sun comes up, it'll almost always melt the frost on your windshield so you won't have to scrape it. The heat will also warm up your engine bay a bit so it will aid in your fuel economy slightly by creating a warmer engine before you start it.
posted by buyingconstant7 on December 22, 2015
this tip works for 58% of voting Fuelly members.
Ford Ecoboost
Seems I'm learning especially with direct-injection, turbo charged, gas-powered engines that, unlike diesel engines with the same kind of systems that can suck in lots of air w/o more fuel in the mix, it's very important to prevent the turbo from spooling fast and hard by keeping light pressure on the accelerator and avoid downshifts when possible. Use the extra low-end torque via the turbo, straight injection system to accelerate and maintain speed. Otherwise, they'll be no economy advantage.
posted by gregsfc on December 16, 2015
this tip works for 67% of voting Fuelly members.
