Few gas saving tips...
High oil prices is always something to worry about and with reports that gas prices might break the 3$ a gallon mark, I was looking around for tips that would help us go easy on gas consumption. Found the following points from the Seattle Gas Prices site. I added some thoughts of mine (in italics) to each of the 10 points and bingo, I have a post to make :)
1. Avoid High Speeds – As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
I am sure we all might have come across this point before. The less fast you go, the better mileage you get.
2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard - By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.
The former is the reason why the mileage decreases in mountainous areas and latter is the reason why the city mileage is usually low
3. Keep Tires Properly - Inflated Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.
One of the popular gas saving tips but at the same time, easily the most overlooked one too.
4. Use A/C Sparingly - When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
Another popular one and something which everyone tries their best to adhere to but in this country with extreme summer & winter temperatures, there is little chance to avoid using them.
5. Keep Windows Closed - Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.
This was something new. The explanation made perfect sense though.
6. Service Vehicle Regularly - Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
Again a popular one and something which we all tend to do promptly, particularly if its a new vehicle.
7. Use Cruise Control - Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.
My only doubt among all these points. I have heard that driving a car in cruise mode actually makes it to use up more fuel. I have only heard the opposite of it. Bcos say you are climbing uphill in cruise mode, then the car, in order to keep up the speed, will use more acceleration and thus result in more fuel usage. Correct answers, anyone?
8. Avoid Heavy Loads - Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.
Does it also mean that driving with 4 passengers uses up more fuel than driving with none? That is interesting.
9. Avoid Long Idles - If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
This is kind of a tricky one since not many signals do have the facility to convey the minutes remaining for the signal to change. It is sprucing up in India. I haven’t seen it in the 4 states I have lived so far here - Texas, Ohio, Alabama and Washington. Has anyone seen it here in the US?
10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle - When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.
This is the one which makes no sense. I mean, when one is looking for gas saving tips with the car they have, they recommend you to buy a fuel efficient vehicle. They might as well have asked to buy a hybrid vehicle.
Courtesy: Seattle Gas Prices
Any other tips that you would like to share? You are most welcome…
1. Avoid High Speeds – As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
I am sure we all might have come across this point before. The less fast you go, the better mileage you get.
2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard - By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.
The former is the reason why the mileage decreases in mountainous areas and latter is the reason why the city mileage is usually low
3. Keep Tires Properly - Inflated Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.
One of the popular gas saving tips but at the same time, easily the most overlooked one too.
4. Use A/C Sparingly - When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
Another popular one and something which everyone tries their best to adhere to but in this country with extreme summer & winter temperatures, there is little chance to avoid using them.
5. Keep Windows Closed - Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.
This was something new. The explanation made perfect sense though.
6. Service Vehicle Regularly - Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
Again a popular one and something which we all tend to do promptly, particularly if its a new vehicle.
7. Use Cruise Control - Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.
My only doubt among all these points. I have heard that driving a car in cruise mode actually makes it to use up more fuel. I have only heard the opposite of it. Bcos say you are climbing uphill in cruise mode, then the car, in order to keep up the speed, will use more acceleration and thus result in more fuel usage. Correct answers, anyone?
8. Avoid Heavy Loads - Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.
Does it also mean that driving with 4 passengers uses up more fuel than driving with none? That is interesting.
9. Avoid Long Idles - If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
This is kind of a tricky one since not many signals do have the facility to convey the minutes remaining for the signal to change. It is sprucing up in India. I haven’t seen it in the 4 states I have lived so far here - Texas, Ohio, Alabama and Washington. Has anyone seen it here in the US?
10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle - When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.
This is the one which makes no sense. I mean, when one is looking for gas saving tips with the car they have, they recommend you to buy a fuel efficient vehicle. They might as well have asked to buy a hybrid vehicle.
Courtesy: Seattle Gas Prices
Any other tips that you would like to share? You are most welcome…
posted by Filbert at 8:16 PM
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