Fuel Saving Tips
Fully Synthetic Oil
Using a modern high-performance fully synthetic (sometimes called double ester) engine oil will not only look after your engine better than mineral oil or semi-synthetic oil, but will improve your fuel economy and power output by decreasing friction. This may also improve your cold-start performance, it did for me over the winter and if you have a wet clutch (as many motorcycles do), improve clutch feel, reducing drag but leaving a positive bite. Use the same grade oil (as in 10W40 or similar) as marked on your filler cap or in the owners handbook. The increase in oil costs will be more than offset by the improvements in efficiency over the lifetime of the oil.
posted by talkToTheHat on May 25, 2012
this tip works for 73% of voting Fuelly members.
Stay off of the brake
Be aware of stops ahead and take your foot off of the accelerator. Let the weight of your vehicle slow you to a stop instead of speeding up and injecting fuel into the engine only to waste it by shoving the brake pedal to the floor hard. By the time you reach your stop a gentle tap and hold should be enough to stop (if you started early enough). It does wonders for that mpg...
posted by TLee on May 22, 2012
this tip works for 100% of voting Fuelly members.
Fuel Weight
Gasoline weighs about 6 US Lbs/ gallon. Diesel fuel weights about 7 lbs/ gal. Driving on a half tank can mean driving 50+ lbs lighter than driving on a full tank, potentially increasing MPG. This practice must we weighed against increased likelihood of condensation (water) forming in tank during winter months, potential for running out of fuel in rural and/ or dangerously cold conditions, etc.
posted by ALHinNH on May 20, 2012
this tip works for 23% of voting Fuelly members.
Try not to stop at red lights and in dense tr
Every time you stop your vehicle, the energy required to get it moving again is much more substantial than that required to keep it moving - 'an object in motion tends to stay in motion'. I drive to work each day and rarely stop at a light; I will slow to a crawl and if I gauge it right, I'll be crawling right up to the last car in line just as he starts to move. Did you know that in this manner it is possible for one car to alleviate a traffic jam? If you manage to slow down - gradually - to the point where you never stop every car behind you will be able to follow right along, and as the cordon slowly gathers speed so will you - and them!
posted by dorkdog on May 16, 2012
this tip works for 76% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep your RPM's low
When driving my truck it gets better mileage under 2,000 RPM's then when at 2,500
posted by Wwildman on May 4, 2012
this tip works for 73% of voting Fuelly members.
Driving an automatic scooter
When you are standing at a stoplight with a scooter with a common CVT automatic transmission, don't accelerate giving full gas. Performance is almost the same as giving 2/3 of gas and fuel consumption will be lower.
posted by Blueyes on May 2, 2012
this tip works for 94% of voting Fuelly members.
Avoid stop lights on routes
Simple short trips to shops or friends houses with less stop lights can minimize idle time and increase cruising time.
posted by ChumLeeAFM on April 29, 2012
this tip works for 75% of voting Fuelly members.
Cruise Control
Do not use Cruise Control as you can gain up to 4 mpg by using you foot to regulate speed.
posted by Biggspeed on April 25, 2012
this tip works for 12% of voting Fuelly members.
Use Fuelly's SMS Service
Instead of writing mileage down on receipts and taking pictures of the pump, utilize Fuelly's SMS service to post your mileage numbers to the Fuelly site. Its quick, easy, and you can do it right in the gas station parking lot without worrying about losing that receipt later. First, you have to register at https://www.fuelly.com/blog/469/Fuelup-via-SMS
posted by RickNY on April 24, 2012
this tip works for 58% of voting Fuelly members.
Take the backroads.
Freeways have their purpose, but everyone is on them all the time... and often there are tolls. On your next long trip, try working out a path that uses highways with speed limits of 55 MPH (90 kmh) or lower. The trip is more scenic and interesting, and quite often you will only add a half an hour to an 8 hour trip. You'll save fuel, you'll spend a LOT less time sitting in traffic, save yourself the tolls and the stress. Often these routes are less mileage and easier on the car because you're revving lower. Say you drive an Integrea or RSX. wouldn't it be nice to be revving below 3 grand for a change and getting GREAT fuel economy, and look at all those trees!
posted by Texas on April 19, 2012
this tip works for 85% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep a clear view of all traffic and lights.
When driving, try to avoid driving in back of larger cars and trucks. This will allow you to see all upcoming light changes ahead. When lights change to yellow or red, you can begin to coast, when appropriate.
posted by jmp316 on April 14, 2012
this tip works for 91% of voting Fuelly members.
Traffic Apps Save Gas!
Before I leave home to make my 24 mile commute to work, and on the return trip home, I look at the Google Maps App (there are many others) that shows me the areas of slower or stopped traffic. Then I can reroute my commute. Sometimes it takes me 5 miles out of my way or it takes me down a few surface streets (at 40mph) but that has less impact on my fuel than stop-n-go traffic or sitting idle. Just like the tortoise and the hare - better to keep making consistent, slow and steady progress. It saves time and money.
posted by GTGallop on April 14, 2012
this tip works for 100% of voting Fuelly members.
Diesel quality
Modern TDI engines require good lubricity in the fuel. VW warrantys are not voided by using up to 5% bio Diesel in TDI engines. Studies have shown that blended bio diesel provides lubricity that is often lacking in ULSD. On a recent warraty fuel service I was told that I had the highest quality diesel fuel of anything that has come through my dealership and that my fuel system was in tip top condition as a result of the added lubricity.
posted by Scratcher on April 8, 2012
this tip works for 82% of voting Fuelly members.
Brakes, what brakes
So many people drive just that little more cautiously whem they are getting a little low on fuel to make it to the pumps. Apply this logic to your brakes/braking, pretend your brakes are running out. That will make you think alot more about your driving strategy.
posted by audiolab on April 7, 2012
this tip works for 95% of voting Fuelly members.
On yer bike!
Not only is cycling a great form of local transport with health benefits and low costs and environmental impact. But it will also teach you many ways to save fuel: Anticipation of other road users and lights, not trying to travel full speed up hill, and keeping your tyres as hard as you can.
posted by timhewison on April 4, 2012
this tip works for 77% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep your car maintained
Make sure to keep your car maintained. A good fuel filter, clean air filter and oil changes on regular intervals can help your gas mileage. Air filters need to be changed every 15 to 20k miles (if you run synthetic oil then roughly every other oil change you should change the air filter too).
posted by kenichols29 on April 2, 2012
this tip works for 73% of voting Fuelly members.
Accelerate, or keep it lean
To completely burn 1kg of petrol takes 14.7kg of air – this is called a stoichiometric mixture. Your engine management computer has to create this kind of air-fuel mixture when you accelerate hard, or even moderately hard. Modern engine management systems also use a 'lean burn' mode at more modest throttle openings and when there’s a smaller load on the engine. In this mode, the engine is only using about 50% of the fuel that it needs when running stoichiometricly. The worst efficiency (and therefore the worst fuel consumption) is when your throttle opening is just big enough to move the engine out of its full ‘lean burn’, but not big enough to accelerate the car very much. So I find it helps to think of my car as having two distinct efficiency modes. In other words... (1) If you’re not going fast enough then accelerate efficiently (and quite quickly) to your cruising speed: don’t be too gentle, because you need to get back to that ‘lean burn’ mode as quickly as possible. But don't completely floor the throttle either. (2) Once you’re at the speed you want, hold the throttle at the lightest setting needed to (more or less) maintain speed. Trying to hold speed up a hill will often push you out of that super-efficient ‘lean burn’, and holding back down the hills just means your failing to capitalise on all the momentum and speed that you could have had (whilst staying away from stoichiometric) – so be fairly relaxed about being a little bit slower on the ‘ups’ and gaining some speed on the ‘downs’. The mpg ‘killer’ is actually that middle ground, where the car is accelerating rather gently and inefficiently for ages and ages to get to a sensible speed. To me, it seemed counter intuitive to accelerate a bit harder to save fuel, but it works!
posted by Alfettaman on March 28, 2012
this tip works for 84% of voting Fuelly members.
Free Leftover Fuel at Pump
When you finish fueling up, instead of immediately putting the nozzle back onto the dispenser holder press the shutoff down by hand and then pump the remaining fuel left in the hose into your tank FOR FREE! You should feel the pressure decrease in the trigger until you can pull it freely. The numbers on the display should not increase and charge you more money. I'm not sure how much fuel you will get out of using this tip and I also can't promise it will work every time, but it's worth a try!
posted by blinker97 on March 25, 2012
this tip works for 26% of voting Fuelly members.
Track WHERE you buy your gas
There is a difference in gas from different stations...even within the same brand. Sometimes the lowest price gas is also the "cheapest". I've noticed that regardless of A/C use, outside weather (my vehicle does better when outside temps are in the 68-73 degree range), passenger/weight loading, or any other factor, certain station's fuel give give me up to 3 mpg more than others. Doesn't take but one or two fill-ups at a different gas station than normal to figure out who gets the "better" gas.
posted by desertmariner on March 25, 2012
this tip works for 50% of voting Fuelly members.
Turn off your defrost!
Yep, cant believe I didn't know this, but when you run your defrost, even with your AC turned off, it still runs the AC Compressor, I just did my first test and got an extra 1.8 mpg, which is a lot considering my truck usually only gets around 12. That means all winter long, I was just wasting gas because I always leave my defrost in the on position.
posted by BigWillie on March 22, 2012
this tip works for 77% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep Tailgates Closed
Always leave your tailgate up if you have a pickup truck without a cap on the bed. When the tailgate is down, the wind from the roof comes down and catches the top surface area of the tailgate and causes too much downforce, greatley reducing your MPG. If your tailgate will not stay up, then take it off.
posted by JohnnyEm on March 20, 2012
this tip works for 67% of voting Fuelly members.
"Sea Foam" Older Cars and Watch Those Tires
I found a couple of tricks that have really helped me save MPG. 1. Sea Foam! Sea Foam is a wonderful product. 1 can in the gas tank ( treats up to 25 gallons) really gets those injectors clean and reduces hesitation and pinging and for me I pick up about 2 to 3 MPG when I do it. It also works great in the crank case as well (just ad it to your oil per instructions on the can) and it cleans your engine from the inside out. I must CAUTION you; even though Sea Foam is safe for most Vehicles adhere STRICTLY to your owners manual or dealer about what is safe for your vehicle as far as oil and gas additives. Some car manufactures advise STRICTLY AGAINST using oil additives so better to be safe than sorry. Tires/ Wheals: Keep your tires properly inflated. I saw one tip on here about putting more air than recommended by your vehicle in your tires and it concerned me. Although over inflating will help your MPG the side effects can be very detrimental. Each vehicle has a specific PSI for the tires (refer to the plate / sticker in your diver's door frame) for a reason. Over / under inflating will cause premature tire ware and possibly unsafe handling characteristics. Have your tires BALANCED and ROTATED regularly this will help insure longer tire life and smother ride. Most vehicles should have their tires rotated about ever 6k miles if you change your oil every 3k mile just have them do it every other time you get the oil changed that way you don't forget.
posted by chris1985 on March 15, 2012
this tip works for 26% of voting Fuelly members.
Shift into neutral at stops....
One easy way to increase mileage, even if a trivial amount, is to shift the car into neutral when at stoplights, drive-thrus, or anywhere when you'll be sitting for more than 5 seconds of time. When stopped in drive, the engine is still spinning the transmission. You'll notice when in neutral, the engine will raise revs just a little, reducing strain on the engine. If you're afraid to shut off the motor at long stops, this is an easier to eake out a little more mpgs.
posted by oneaonef on March 14, 2012
this tip works for 61% of voting Fuelly members.
Lose Some Weight
Have you put on a few pounds or more since college? Consider this: losing body fat will increase the power:weight ratio of your vehicle, thus saving you fuel.
posted by magnus919 on March 6, 2012
this tip works for 68% of voting Fuelly members.
Stop coasting in neutral
Coasting in neutral causes your fuel injectors to keep firing a small amount of gas in order to keep the engine turning over. Coasting in gear uses your forward momentum to accomplish the same thing - the ECU senses this and turns the fuel injectors off until your rpms get too low (typically below 1.5 - 2k). The disadvantage is a little bit more wear and tear on the clutch than normal. This is not a big deal as long as you're not abusing this technique by trying to coast down a steep slope in 2nd or 3rd.
posted by Elusivellama on March 2, 2012
this tip works for 32% of voting Fuelly members.
Replace gear oils
If you have a rear-wheel drive car and you haven't changed your differential fluid in 80-90,000 miles, it may be good to replace it with something like Redline 75w-90 or other synthetic gear oil. Also, if you have a manual transmission you should replace its oil in that same time frame with something like Redline MTL or other synthetic oil. I have done this on my last 3 vehicles and on average saw a MPG increase of 1-3 MPG and I experienced smoother shifting.
posted by kd7iwp on February 22, 2012
this tip works for 93% of voting Fuelly members.
Keep your tank above the half mark
There are several advantages to keeping your tank above half full: 1: Filling the tank doesn't cost as much per fill up. 2: It will help prevent partial tank fill ups here on Fuelly. 3: You will have plenty when/if an emergency occurs, such as getting stuck on the side of the road in winter, or having to take a trip to the hospital, etc. Also be sure to always fill your tank the same way every time you fill up. This helps give you accurate mileage results.
posted by DTMAce on February 21, 2012
this tip works for 26% of voting Fuelly members.
Replace O2 Sensors
Replace your sensors with tuneups. With fresh sensors every 80k to 120k miles you'll keep your mileage up.
posted by kenichols29 on February 20, 2012
this tip works for 44% of voting Fuelly members.
Fuel Saver Top Tip
Don't get sucked into races on the motor way. Hold your head high, get out the way of that pr*ck and give him the finger - or smile and wave. Either way, flip him off.
posted by GusGecko on February 14, 2012
this tip works for 37% of voting Fuelly members.
Optimal Speed
Every car has its own "sweet spot" of optimal speed to achieve greatest mpg. One good rule of thumb is the slowest speed on your highest gear. Try it and try to find your sweet spot.
posted by jorg3 on February 14, 2012
this tip works for 100% of voting Fuelly members.
