Fuel Saving Tips
Bad tip: Only filling up half-way
I just wanted to point out that MOST vehicle's fuel pumps are mounted in the gas tank, which means that they are cooled by the fuel, running at less then a quarter tank takes that cooling feature away from them and will cause them to wear out or even fail a lot faster due to excessive heat build-up, and if your only going from 1/2 to 1/4 every time, you are most likely going to spend more time looking for the cheaper good deal gas and driving out of your way to get it, causing you to spend more money in gas. Depending on your vehicle, shop and the parts it uses, a fuel pump replacement could cost you 1000$.. 300$ for parts 700$ for labor. The amount of money you are going to save is going to be way offset by the cost of having that fuel pump replaced, as most fuel pumps are very expensive for the OEM. Unless you know that your fuel pump is not mounted in the gas tank, and is therefore mounted under the vehicle and cooled by air, I would not just do half-fuel ups.
posted by SilverBullet1997 on August 28, 2014
this tip works for 65% of voting Fuelly members.
top tier gas
The stations that use top tier gasoline use detergents that will reduce deposits on fuel injectors and intake valves. Check toptiergas.com and read about it
posted by cmaxlen on August 19, 2014
this tip works for 78% of voting Fuelly members.
Speed-O and Odometer error
Vehicle speed and odometer may have different errors. Most vehicles with ABS option the vehicle speed is normally taken from one wheel or averaged among the 4 wheels. The Odometer is recorded from an output on the transmission. If you do not have ABS on your vehicle the Speed and Odometer is read from the Transmission. The last option is you have ABS, but the manufacture was still reading it from the transmission. The best method for insuring the accuracy of the Speed-O-meter is to test it against a GPS. The best method of insuring the accuracy of the Odometer is measuring it against a known distance, such as the milepost of an interstate highway over a distance of 100 miles or more. GPS Trip distance measurement is inaccurate.
posted by racenviper on August 18, 2014
this tip works for 56% of voting Fuelly members.
Oncoming traffic
Ever felt the wind from oncoming traffic? One vehicle is not so bad, but we usually don't ever just have one car pass us in the opposite direction. Giving as much distance as is safe between you and oncoming traffic is not only safer, but can help keep your fuel mileage from dropping unnecessarily, especially as traffic gets heavier.
posted by sparkn on August 15, 2014
this tip works for 83% of voting Fuelly members.
US Imperial to CAN Metric conversions
Canadians travelling in the US: Feel free to make a copy and use this Google spreadsheet to convert your US to CAN fill-ups since you can't flip back and forth in Fuelly. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuiLvaul1obRdFAyZ3hvTTc3NDIxcnZ3VGVOR1A1RWc&usp=sharing You will need to have a Google account and then you can make your own copy first. Go to File > Make a copy.
posted by gory on August 14, 2014
this tip works for 32% of voting Fuelly members.
Find the sweet spot of needed throttle pressure.
When traveling around highway speeds note your throttle input. Find the speed that requires the least amount of pressure on the accelerator/throttle. There are lots of variables that effect this and it will change day to day. Slower may not always be more efficient. Your car may need more rpms, higher speed to be efficient. An easy way to monitor this is through the addition of an "eco gauge" that can easily be plugged into your cars computer.
posted by Lokis_Tyro on August 13, 2014
this tip works for 82% of voting Fuelly members.
Turn off the engine
When sitting at a red light (unless you're right at the front) or waiting for a passenger turn off the engine. Saves fuel and pollution. Lights on orange - restart the engine ready to go. The heater can still put out warm air or the aircon cool air for a little after the engine is switched off.
posted by xj53c on August 10, 2014
this tip works for 27% of voting Fuelly members.
Be sure that your engine is idling well
An engine idling above 1000 rpm's is a bad symptom of a failure of it, but it maybe minimal so you keep on running it that way because you don't notice it or simply you think that it can run perfectly that way, that it's just an odd thing. Well, be sure that the engine is idling at the speed that the owner's manual advise, if it's not something may be wrong as fuel injectors, throttle bodies, intake systems, etc... Those reparations are simple and if you don't do them, besides having a mechanical failure you'll be wasting fuel.
posted by judacomadc on August 6, 2014
this tip works for 42% of voting Fuelly members.
Don't turn on the engine if its not needed
There are some situations in which turning on the engine is not needed, in my case I do it when I have to move some feet my car to give way on a parking lot or so, taxi drivers in my city do it as well. It may sound dumb, but by doing this you avoid operating the engine when less efficient because of the cold starts. Also, when you hit a big traffic jam like when some accident happened and traffic is not moving you can turn it off, or if a cop or somebody stops you to have a chat you can switch it off as well. The thing is: try to use the engine only when is really needed.
posted by judacomadc on August 6, 2014
this tip works for 58% of voting Fuelly members.
Set mileage calculator to instant-read
Instead of leaving your mileage calculator on the default average MPG setting, move it to "instant-read" mode. You'll get immediate feedback on how various actions affect your MPG. For example, I learned that tailing a semi on the highway increases my MPG 7-10 mpgs, and turning on the AC decreases it by 5. As a result of this instant feedback, I have learned how to become an even more gas-efficient driver!
posted by Juttah on August 4, 2014
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Use high-quality synthetic lubricants.
The most inefficient part of your car is the motor. A minority of the potential chemical energy that enters your cyclinders will be converted into usable power; most of the energy in the fuel is lost due to pumping losses, friction, and heat-transfer. Reducing the friction in your engine, transmission, and differentials by using a PAO based, non petroleum lubricant (Like Amsoil, Redline, or Royal Purple), will increase your feul efficiency 3-10%. The effect is most noticable in large 4WD vehicles, and is less noticable in lighter cars. For instance, my 2001 2.3L Accord milage increased by about 7% after switching, as you can see in my fuel history.
posted by ChampagneRocket on August 4, 2014
this tip works for 70% of voting Fuelly members.
Reduce braking to save gas
You will get better mileage by using the brakes as little as possible, maintaining speed and momentum wherever you can. You don't even need brakes at all, if the horn works!
posted by Stoopy on July 31, 2014
this tip works for 84% of voting Fuelly members.
Modding your off-road vehicle: what to expect
If expectations are in line with reality, unhappiness is avoided. When modifying a Jeep or other SUV, keep in mind: - 2 highway mpg for Roof Basket [reduced aerodynamics] - 3 highway mpg for Larger Tires (1.5 inches taller than stock in my case; suspension lift may be required to run larger tires) [taller tires reduce mechanical advantage, like running in a higher gear. Larger tires are also heavier. Results will vary.] - 1 highway mpg for adding steel skid plates, rock sliders, bumpers, etc. [extra weight] There is a trade-off between mpg and off-road prowess. This trade-off can be partially overcome by spending even more $$$: +2 highway mpg for Re-gearing the differentials (e.g., from 3.73 to 4.10 ring & pinions). This mod can regain your rig some power and mpg if you are running tires 1.5+ inches taller than stock, but will decrease mpg with the stock tire size. [increases mechanical advantage, offsetting larger tires. Results will vary.] Example: V6 Jeep Liberty with roof basket, 4 inch lift, larger tires (245/75/R16; stock 225/75/R16), but not yet re-geared: Stock Configuration: 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway Modded: 11 mpg city, 16 mpg highway
posted by lfhoward on July 28, 2014
this tip works for 71% of voting Fuelly members.
AC Setting helps MPG
Cars typically are more fuel efficient when the air conditioner is set to re-circulate interior air. This is because keeping the same air cool takes less energy than continuously cooling hot air from outside. Of course, turning off the air conditioner saves even more fuel. For driving around town and not at highway speed, keeping the windows open and the air conditioning off is the more fuel-efficient way to go, if you can stand it.
posted by 1motime on July 27, 2014
this tip works for 90% of voting Fuelly members.
Choose the better route.
If you choose the route closer to sea level, and higher in humidity your engine will run more efficiently then EPA estimates. Water vapor adds to the combustion pressure, giving you more HP.
posted by Macbriggs2 on July 25, 2014
this tip works for 29% of voting Fuelly members.
Stop wasting your time.
Stop wasting your time waiting for yourself to get hungry, or waiting for the other shoe to drop. Make an errand day like an adult, load that kitchen up and stop making trips to grab refreshments and food, you can make that at home for cheaper and you know it. That'll save you a ton in gasoline, not to mention all the savings not paying people to make your meals / drinks !!!
posted by Macbriggs2 on July 24, 2014
this tip works for 90% of voting Fuelly members.
Hypermiling
For those of you with manual shift vehicles: If you're not using the a/c constantly, coasting to stop lights in neutral with the engine off, and keying back on as the light turns green, can greatly increase the gas mileage of any vehicle. One long, light pump of the brake pedal will not deplete the brake booster, leaving you with plenty of braking power as you come to a stop. This method alone gave me an extra ten mpg on my daily drive, which adds up fast!
posted by cowmeat on July 20, 2014
this tip works for 23% of voting Fuelly members.
Cruise control on roads with hills
Never use cruise control on roads with a lot of hills. You will waste more gas than you would with normal acceleration. For instance when going down hill take your foot of the gas pedal and coast down. Once you get leveled out use the gas pedal again. Cruise control is good for the Freeway/Highway.
posted by AdamStryker on July 18, 2014
this tip works for 78% of voting Fuelly members.
Hybrids - use EV mode if your journey starts at a slow junction
Hybrids like the prius have to run the gasoline engine at startup to warm up the catalytic converter. But if your commute starts with a junction onto a busy road, your gasoline engine will be running for several minutes to do this while you wait. Instead, switch to EV mode at startup, and keep in EV mode until you finally get out into the traffic. Now you need your gasoline engine to get up to speed, so it can finally warm up the cat converter now.
posted by willsmithorg on July 18, 2014
this tip works for 75% of voting Fuelly members.
Tyre pressure - handbook or sidewall?
Often the maximum inflation pressure written on your tyre's sidewall will be considerably higher than the pressures recommended in your vehicle's handbook. Inflating to the sidewall rating may well give slightly better fuel economy, but the extra air pressure will usually cause the tyres to bulge in the middle of the tread and wear unevenly, meaning you'll need to buy new rubber much sooner. Instead, always inflate to the recommended tyre pressures in your vehicle's handbook.
posted by weeblesfall on July 17, 2014
this tip works for 61% of voting Fuelly members.
Weight matters
If you have a large fuel tank or a small engine in a midsized or large car, try filling up only half way. The more fuel you add, the more weight you add, and therefore the more fuel you will use to move all that fuel.
posted by Gregmech on July 14, 2014
this tip works for 12% of voting Fuelly members.
get moving
Get moving from a stopped position- transmissions are stll designed to get the vehicile moving from a stopped position. Getting up to speed is still the optimum way to get the best gas mileage.
posted by Caddie149 on July 5, 2014
this tip works for 24% of voting Fuelly members.
Direct Injection Motors and Coasting
With more modern cars switching to Direct Injection, you'll want to start coasting while in gear instead of in Neutral. In these engines fuel is generally nearly cut off if the car is in gear and moving, utilizing less fuel than if your car was in neutral and having to fuel itself to maintain idle rpm. If you have a way to monitor your AFR you'll see it go into the 40's and 50's instead of 14's. This is not only safer while coasting down hills or to stops, but now it's rewarding as well.
posted by dyn085 on July 4, 2014
this tip works for 88% of voting Fuelly members.
TDI's and excellent MPG's
Driving a TDI in a manner as if you were assuming you had no brakes at all, and requiring planning far far ahead, by braking with the transmission and shifting, so that you make all green lights with the smoothest and least amount of throttle input changes is what leads to extremely efficient driving techniques and maximum MPG's. Train yourself to drive as if you had no brakes, at all, and that touching the brake pedal is a huge penalty... because, it is, in the quest for Max MPG's.
posted by Magalicious on July 4, 2014
this tip works for 91% of voting Fuelly members.
Half a fuel up???
When refuelling, only fill your tank half way, you'll get better MPG this way as you're not 'carrying' an exess of heavy liquid around with you.
posted by Macdemon on July 2, 2014
this tip works for 5% of voting Fuelly members.
engine braking
the ecm most on newer cars (fuel injected 95+) stops putting fuel into the engine when you let go of the throttle and the car needs no help to go forward, so down shifting before stops and letting the car coast down in a lower gear can keep the engine from idling and using fuel, plus you will be ready to go at a better gear if the light turns green before you have to stop.
posted by Beto84 on June 30, 2014
this tip works for 90% of voting Fuelly members.
Add air to tires during low humidity weather
The more water vapor in your tires, the more variation there will be in air pressure between cold and hot temperatures. A science experiment from grade school proves this - add steam to a can, seal it, then freeze it. The can collapses. Most air compressors do not have a dryer. Therefore, the water vapor in the air is compressed into your tire along with other atmospheric gasses. A proposed solution is to always add pure nitrogen, which does not contain water vapor. However, this can be inconvenient and costly. A "free" answer is to practice adding air to your tires when the dewpoint is low during cold months or on relatively dry days in the summer. If you believe you have a lot of water vapor in your tires now, you could let out most of the air in your tire after they are hot from a highway drive on a dry day, then add new air back up to the proper pressure.
posted by EngrPaul on June 27, 2014
this tip works for 59% of voting Fuelly members.
Slow Down on Highways!
Honestly the easiest thing you can do to increase mileage that WILL work guaranteed. There is significant fuel savings when you drop highway cruising speeds to 65 from 75, and even more when you go from 65 to 55. Personally I drive 55 mph everywhere and am reaping the savings. I am currently averaging 22-26% greater highway fuel economy then the listed epa listed sticker hwy mileage on my Wrangler, you just have to make sure to keep in the right lane to avoid upsetting the other drivers too much, although a finger or two is to be expected ;) Don't believe me, if you drive a lot of highway try going 55 max and see how much your fuelly tank mpg changes on next fill up.
posted by smkuehn on June 24, 2014
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Tyre Pressures (Bike)
Don't know if this will apply to every bike, but on my little Suzuki Marauder 125 I just pumped up the tyres way beyond Haines manual recommendations (36(f) & 40(r) psi instead of 25-29) at the suggestion of a seasoned biker - it's a completely different bike! - handles brilliantly, actually leans into corners without giving me the willies, even in the wet! fuel economy has just increased, as well as acceleration and top speed. wish I'd done this a year ago!
posted by Ambergnat on June 22, 2014
this tip works for 71% of voting Fuelly members.
Coasting to save petrol or not
If you are going down hill dont coast by putting in neutral because the engine will have to use fuel to keep the engine ticking over but if you leave in gear the car momentum will keep the engine turning over and the and the fuel system will have cut off the fuel due to lack of demand ( foot off accelerator ) as it tries to lower the revs to tickover . . if you have live MPG trip just watch it go into the 100's of mpg ... Note this only applies to fuel injection systems
posted by jon1612 on June 21, 2014
this tip works for 82% of voting Fuelly members.
