I read and enjoyed reading bzipitidoo's post titled 'list of gas saving tips from best to worst' (Link:
https://www.fuelly.com/forums/f8/lis...orst-3716.html) and thought I would do some research of my own and find tangible impact % when possible.
Please see below list of high to low impacts on MPG leaving out anything that may be a safety concern (such as tailgating, coasting or over inflating tyres) and anything that would be deamed to be more hasstle than it is worth (such as extreme car body modification, nitrogen filled tryes or aftermarket part swaps)
Gas Mileage Tips - Highest Impact To Lowest
1. Reduce Mileage
Impact: 100%
Problem: Driving your car uses gas.
Solution: Walk or ride a bike when able to as it saves you money and is also great for your physical and mental health.
2. Drive Sensibly
Impact: 10% - 40%
Problem: Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.
Solution: Accelarate gradually, pay attention to distant traffic lights and traffic movement and roll to a gradual stop when possible. This is also safer for you and others and may save you more than gas money.
3. Efficient A/C And Open Windows Usage
Impact: 5% - 25%
Problem: Under very hot conditions, AC use can reduce a conventional vehicle's fuel economy by more than 25%, particularly on short trips. The AC's effect on hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) can be even larger on a percentage basis.
Solution: Make sure to park in shaded areas where possible to reduce cabin tempreture prior to driving. Open windows to allow hot air to escape before A/C is turned on for faster and more efficient cooling and if driving below 40mpg it is more efficient to keep the windows open than it is to use A/C at all.
4. Efficient Gear Changing
Impact: 15%
Problem: High revs can negatively impact fuel efficiency.
Solution: Try to change up a gear before you reach 2,500 revs in a petrol car, and 2,000 in a diesel car where possible.
5. Optimal Speed For Fuel Economy
Impact: 7% - 14%
Problem: While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (Usually 55-65mph), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.
Solution: Try to stay as close to your vehicles optimal speed as possible (Usually around 1500rpm in the highest gear with a petrol engine) while not being a danger to other drivers. Please note that in some countries/states this can land you a ticket if traveling 15%-20% below the speed limit on highways/motorways.
6. Avoid Hauling Cargo On Your Roof
Impact: 2% - 17%
Problem: Hauling cargo on your roof increases aerodynamic drag and lowers fuel economy.
Solution: If you absolutely need to use an external cargo, make sure to remove it when not required and/or consider a rear mounted storage solution which is not affected as much by drag (1% - 2%).
7. Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
Impact: 4% - 40%
Problem: A car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can have gas mileage affected by an average of 4% and a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, by as much as 40%.
Solution: Be sure to follow the maintaince schedule suggested in your owners manual to ensure your car is running in optimal condition and if you notice it becomes noticeably out of tune have it checked out.
8. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Impact: 0.6% - 6%
Problem: Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires.
Solution: Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer, ensure to check your cars recommended tyre pressure and keep topped up regularly. It is also suggested that nitrogen filled tyres improve tyre life span and improve gas mileage but as it also costs more and could cause an added trip to fill based on your nearest nitrogen filling station, the benefits are negligable in real world usage.
9. Use The Recommended Grade Of Motor Oil
Impact: 1% - 2%
Problem: Using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1%–2%. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1%–1.5%.
Solution: Make sure to check your owners manual to find the correct oil for your car, opt for fully synthetic oil where possible and look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
10. Remove Excess Weight
Impact: 1%/100 lbs
Problem: The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Solution: Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. It could help to create a habbit of checking your car for unnecessary items when leaving from or arriving at home.
11. Avoid Excessive Idling
Impact: Less than 1%
Problem: Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use.
Solution: Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Start/Stop engines also combat this issue automatically when stopping at traffic lights.
Additional Unmeasurable Tips
1. Read The Owner Manual
Details: Vehicles can vary significantly in design, especially the way they manage energy use. Tips that apply to one model may not apply to another. The automaker knows how to operate and maintain your vehicle to maximize fuel economy, driving range, and battery life. So, consult the owner manual for tips specific to your vehicle.
2. Use The Economy Mode
Details: Many vehicles come with an "economy mode" or similar feature to improve fuel economy. You can often turn on this feature by just pressing a button. The economy mode may limit aspects of the vehicle's performance, such as acceleration, to save fuel.
3. Use Accessories Wisely
Details: Using accessories such as heating, air conditioning, and entertainment systems can lower fuel economy on all vehicles, but they can have a greater effect on hybrids and electrics. So, keep that in mind when trying to maximize fuel economy or electric range. Pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin of a plug-in hybrid or EV while it's plugged in, for example, can extend its electric range.
4. Modern Cars Do Not Need To "Warm Up" Before Driving Off... In Normal Conditions
Details: Revving or idling an engine before you move is pointless and just wastes fuel. Drive away as soon as you start the engine except for extreme low temperatures where anything up to a 30 second idle can be adequate before moving off. However, it can take a car up to 8km before the engine is running at maximum efficiency, meaning short journeys are far more fuel intensive per kilometre than long distance journeys.
5. Plan Ahead To Avoid Travelling During The Most Congested Periods Of Traffic
Details: Stop-start driving is among the most fuel intensive forms of car travel. If you are motionless for any longer than 10 seconds, it is more fuel efficient to switch the engine off than to idle.
Source
The main source of the above information is from FuelEconomy.Gov but I have also found a lot of answer while self researching that I haven't taken specific source notes of. If you have any queries outside of this resource for anything I have mentioned above, please let me know and I will try to find specific sources.
Also, if you know any further tips please mention them in the comments to help further.
Gas Mileage Tips - Highest Impact To Lowest
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