Fuel Saving Tips
Air Gap that right foot
Anytime I am driving at a constant pace, I regularly lift my foot completely off the accelerator and then slowly re-apply to maintain my speed. It really pays off on slight downhill grades on the interstate.
posted by rwoltner on December 14, 2015
this tip works for 28% of voting Fuelly members.
V6 Honda Accord During Highway driving
When Cruising at 70 mph or faster (speed limit here is 80 here), turn the Economy switch OFF. I instantly get an extra ~ 4-6 mpg. It might be also worth trying below 70 -- I never go that slow. btw, My Accord has 30,000 miles on it.
posted by Worldtraveler777 on December 10, 2015
this tip works for 9% of voting Fuelly members.
the first park is the best park
At the end of your commute, avoid driving around looking for a parking spot, go to an area where you know you'll find a spot and take the first spot you see. You might have to walk a bit further, but you'll save fuel (and wear and tear on your car), and the walk will be good for your health :-)
posted by JakobusVdL on December 9, 2015
this tip works for 95% of voting Fuelly members.
Do you want to learn how to achieve better fuel milage.?
Simple. Drive your vehicle until the 'low fuel' light comes on, then just keep on driving it. Push the odometer trip button and see if you can go another 30 miles. My low fuel light comes on when I still have 2 gallons left… so if I get 20 mpg I should be able to go 40 miles, right.? When you are using your last 2 gallons of fuel, you will quickly learn how to get good fuel milage… the closer to an empty tank, the better the lesson. Just try it a few times and you will see for yourself… you will learn quickly. :)
posted by PTSDBOB on December 7, 2015
this tip works for 12% of voting Fuelly members.
Use the least viscose grade engine oil
Most vehicle handbooks will list the different engine oil viscosity which are safe to use in your engine at a given temperature. Pay attention to the climate you experience and use the least viscose oil as this will have less friction in your engine. I was using 5w30 as per the handbook in my Toyota, someone suggested I should be using 10w40. I tried this and my MPG went down so I switched back to 5w30. Make sure the grade is appropriate for your engine and climate and only use the least viscose oil that is specified for your engine and climate. Mine is 5w30.
posted by 4bang on December 4, 2015
this tip works for 77% of voting Fuelly members.
Don't save fuel at the expense of others
Many fuel saving tips work great if you're the only car/truck on the road. However since most of us don't have that luxury, you have to balance your gas saving skills while keeping other traffic on the road in mind.
posted by jhinsc on December 3, 2015
this tip works for 91% of voting Fuelly members.
Gas additive for 10-20% better mileage
I bought a 2008 Prius new. It now has 180,000 kms. on it and runs perfectly. I run a mixture of 1 ounce acetone to 10 gallons gas and I get an average of 10 to 20 % increase in mileage in weather 40f and warmer. It is basically like running high test fuel with more octane. If you want more info, Google search for gasoline and acetone mix and read about it. I am here to tell you, IT WORKS! If you mix too much acetone in the fuel, it WILL cause damage, burn valves, melt pistons ect. I found that the 1 ounce to 10 gallon ratio is a safe and effective amount. Hey, If it saves you $10.00 per tank for about $0.10 of acetone, why not.
posted by appraiser on November 28, 2015
this tip works for 3% of voting Fuelly members.
Downshifting up hills
In a manual, only downshift as much as you have to. If you can get up comfortably in 3rd gear, don't downshift into 2nd as it uses more fuel at a higher rpm. On top of this, use the cars momentum and keep your speed up at the bottom of the hill.
posted by iDanoo on November 26, 2015
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Think about adding a partial/full grill block for the winter
If you have a way to gauge your temperature then adding a grill block is a good way to help the engine warm up faster and once your car is upto operating temperature you can use your blower (set to hot) to cool the engine (you may have to experiment first by turning your hot blower on to see if it does lower your engine coolant temps). also, by doing this all the waste heat is going into the car to keep you warm and not heating the outside air.
posted by Mikes1992 on November 26, 2015
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Drive-thru idling
While stopped in the drive thru (whether there is a line or not), I always shut my engine off and engage the parking brake until I need to move again. I've found this increases my mileage quite considerably, especially when the line moves more slowly than I expect it to.
posted by Hawkraptor on November 15, 2015
this tip works for 61% of voting Fuelly members.
If you have a squeal when you turn the wheel you may be wasting fuel
A worn power steering pump can cost plenty fuel consumption. Same for any accessories that are dragging or brakes that are seized up, these things are especially common on vehicles that were stored.
posted by MTA4171 on November 15, 2015
this tip works for 75% of voting Fuelly members.
Manual Transmissions - Use relaxed shifts
When shifting, do so at a lazy pace so that there is a slight pause before re-engaging the clutch - there are two main benefits: longer pause between shifts allows the engine speed to slow down and rev-match the next gear, which will reduce wear on the clutch. The other benefit is the pause means less time on the accelerator and making use of the momentum you've already built similar to "pulse and glide". This effect may not work with all cars, especially ones with performance flywheels, as lighter flywheels increase engine response, making the rev-matching much quicker compared to the heaver, but smoother running flywheels of normal cars.
posted by jerm1027 on November 13, 2015
this tip works for 51% of voting Fuelly members.
Coasting in Neutral
If you own a modern common rail diesel engine such as a VW TDI, coasting in neutral uses more fuel that coasting in gear. The engine managment system shuts off all fuel to the injectors when coasting in gear since the drivetrain keeps the engine turning. This also provides braking effort to slow down the vehicle, in this case the engine becomes an air compressor. Once the engine speed decreases below a certain RPM (~1000rpm), fuel is then reapplied to keep the engine running as the transmission is disengaged.
posted by Scratchy101 on November 7, 2015
this tip works for 81% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep calm & carry on
Getting hot under the collar because of other peoples actions on the road will only make you drive more aggressively. This wastes fuel, reduces your rational decision making & increases the risk level you're willing to take. Most likely you'll not gain any time either, so keep in chilled in the drivers seat.
posted by techathy on November 4, 2015
this tip works for 97% of voting Fuelly members.
F150 achievement- 2.7 Ecoboost.
Reviews and drivers show disappointing 15-19 mpg F150s with 2.7 V6 EB. But my new reg cab XL @ only 4167 lbs, 3.31 rear axle; light foot; low RPM; slow on hwy (65 mph), no idling, can achieve mpg above 20 mixed. Ecodiesel and little Duramax will do better, but F150s with 2.7 start @ $27K MSRP; diesel mid-size and 1/2-ton start @ $34K MSRP.
posted by gregsfc on October 31, 2015
this tip works for 18% of voting Fuelly members.
Old Cars W/ manual overdrive, beware!
I've noticed, particularly in cold weather, shifting my '96 Oldsmobile Ciera into overdrive (4th) causes the engine to cool down to the point where it is not at operating temperature. This plays havoc with my consumption, so I only allow it to shift up to 3rd, which helps immensely.
posted by bigdamnhero on October 30, 2015
this tip works for 24% of voting Fuelly members.
See a Red Light, Foot Off The Gas
See a red light in the distance, take your foot off the gas. Your momentum will get your car towards the light without using gas. If your lucky, the light might turn green and your off driving without having to sit at the light.
posted by OttaCee on October 29, 2015
this tip works for 100% of voting Fuelly members.
Go for least amount of fuel used instead of lowest MPG (or L/100km)
Everybody wants to get low fuel consumption figures for bragging rights but consider that the really important factor is how much fuel you end up using to get to your final destination. Especially true for daily commutes. Consider route A: 40km at 5.0l/100km Consider route B: 35km at 5.5l/100km Naturally route A seems better and gives us a better looking Fuelly sig but route A uses 2.0 liters of gas vs route B using 1.925 liters. It also puts less wear-and-tear on your car and makes the warranty last longer. Other things to consider.
posted by dborn on October 28, 2015
this tip works for 87% of voting Fuelly members.
Learn your car's engine
Cruise & accelerate at the optimal rpm for your car's engine. How do you work out what's optimal? On a quiet road accelerate from chugging rpm to the red line at 50-60% throttle. The point at which the engine is most responsive, that's where you cruise. The fastest acceleration is where you accelerate/climb steep inclines.
posted by techathy on October 25, 2015
this tip works for 19% of voting Fuelly members.
Consider Total Cost of Ownership with Tires, not just Tire Pressure!
Many will suggest simply over inflating tires for best mileage. Overinflated tires wear the center before the edges, which can lead to premature replacement. Tires are expensive and may lead to a higher total cost of ownership than the saved gas alone. When tires need to be replaced, choose the rubber compound wisely. Tires that claim "high mileage" use a harder compound that can increase fuel efficiency and cost of use, but will have less traction in winter as well. Choose the tire for the application, not just the cheapest tire or by brand!
posted by miles0smiles on October 23, 2015
this tip works for 91% of voting Fuelly members.
Get to know your cruise control
Late model cars have cruise control systems designed for optimal acceleration, without jerky movements that increase engine and transmission wear. Try it for yourself: As soon as safely possible after a stop, find when the "resume" function will engage. This is as early as 10kph in many new cars. Many such systems are optimized for ideal fuel consumption as well. Recent engine control systems find optimal acceleration automatically. And the faster your car gets up to speed in that manner, the sooner it can get into high-mileage cruise mode!
posted by miles0smiles on October 23, 2015
this tip works for 42% of voting Fuelly members.
Fuelly Fuel Saving Tips
Pay attention to the voting percentages on all these tips and avoid the tips with low ratings. It amazes me how much bad advice and mis-information is actually in here. Fuelly.com is a great site but they don't police the tips area very well or delete bad info listed here.
posted by NovaResource on October 17, 2015
this tip works for 97% of voting Fuelly members.
Managing approaching downhill
For CVT transmissions (no true neutral). Some downhill grades will cause your engine to brake the car, if you have to let off the gas completely, reducing your efficiency. If you are approaching such a hill and no traffic is behind you, slow down nearer the top and use minimal pedal (just before braking) to allow your car to retain momentum down the hill.
posted by Waldguy on October 12, 2015
this tip works for 56% of voting Fuelly members.
Ride an Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) for short errands.
If you get an ebike or convert a bike to an ebike you can use it for short errands and maybe to travel to work all while also getting some exercise. You can peddle for a while and use the electric motor to keep from over heating. I ride mine to the post office and to the store to buy a few groceries. Short trips kill gas milage so the ebike is perfect to get the best gas milage in your vehicle. It cost next to nothing to charge the battery so you save money on gas, excise ware and tare on your car or truck Get out and enjoy the ride.
posted by NorCalExplorer on September 21, 2015
this tip works for 39% of voting Fuelly members.
Ethanol is not always bad
Ethanol is a mixture of Gasoline and Alcohol. Usually it's called E10, E20 and E85, meaning 10%, 20% or 85% ethanol. If your car or motorcycle engine is designed to run on Ethanol, it's perfectly fine and the mileage will be nearly the same. There is maybe 1-2% decrease in milleage for E10-E20. Another thing to consider is that Ethanol releases less polutants and has a slightly higher combustion rate, which provides more power to the engine. If your car was not designed to run on Ethanol, you will sufer performance and may damage your engine and ruber cables.
posted by frederico on September 20, 2015
this tip works for 9% of voting Fuelly members.
Buy a moped for daily city commute
I have experience with cars, motorcycle, and bicycle in a city - everyday commuting to work and back to home. lastly, i choose a underbone moped ( chinese "analog" of Honda Innova / Wave with 100 cc engine). Fuel cons is bit less than 2 litres per 100 km ( 4 times!!! less than a car, and 3 times less than 600cc motorcycle!). travel to work time is only a tad more, than on "big" motorcycle. no rush, no weighty as motorcycle - almost ideal transport for single or with one passenger and rucksack. best thing.
posted by drago76 on September 19, 2015
this tip works for 40% of voting Fuelly members.
Drafting Saves Fuel! But be careful...
I took a 1,300 km trip from Calgary AB to Winnipeg MB and did a test on my 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan. On the first leg, I set the cruise to 115 km/h and no drafting behind anyone. Halfway through, I filled up and achieved 8.0 l/100km(29.4mpg). After filling up, I was lucky enough to find a fully loaded semi doing exactly 115 as well. I stayed behind him all the way until Winnipeg staying back around 15-20 feet(too close in my opinion but it was for a purpose :) ). I filled up and achieved a whopping 6.7 l/100km(35mpg).
posted by buyingconstant7 on September 10, 2015
this tip works for 45% of voting Fuelly members.
Red light at bottom of hill? Pull over at the top.
In my area, there are a couple of signal lights planted at the bottom of two hills and the road then flattens out. Don't roll up and stop dead at the red light. While still on the down grade, when you spot a distant red light, I suggest pull off to the side of the road or, if that's not possible, ultra slow down. When the light changes, you can use gravity to continue to roll through the new green light or pop the clutch to restart the engine.
posted by ChewChewTrain on September 8, 2015
this tip works for 22% of voting Fuelly members.
Other cars entering freeway / How to judge if you will collide or not
Driving in the far right freeway lane puts us in conflict with cars entering the freeway. Here's how to know if you're going to collide. The sailing term is called "ranging". You compare the nose of the vehicle to that of a non-moving background, like a freeway wall. If the nose of that car remains static to the background you are on a collision course. In this case, you should slow down. If the nose of that car is visually "eating" the background, they will merge ahead of you. If the nose of that car is visually "giving up" the background, they will merge behind you. Doug in Oakland, California USA
posted by ChewChewTrain on September 7, 2015
this tip works for 60% of voting Fuelly members.
Using Neutral when Coasting in Modern-Day Vehicles
For years I have understood that using neutral burns fuel to keep the car idling while rolling, and coasting in gear uses no fuel because there is complete fuel cut. I however began using the neutral method again and due to less engine friction I am able to coast much further and many times pick up speed when I would normally be slowing down, which equates to better fuel economy. My actual results when filling up are proof that using neutral does actually work better in most situations. My in-dash fuel econ reading will stay at 99.9(max) while coasting in gear OR neutral, and when in neutral it only decreases once under 10mph.
posted by RieBauer17 on September 6, 2015
this tip works for 44% of voting Fuelly members.
