Posted on 08/16/2005 7:49:02 PM PDT by Black Tooth
Here are a couple of things I do daily.
If you have any, add them.
1. Use the correct oil recommended by your auto manufacturer.
2. 60 mph will generally get you much better mileage than 75 mph.
3. Use cruise control on open roads.
4. Remove excess weight from your car. (Garbage in the trunk etc.
5. Smooth starts, no sudden accelerations from a stop.
6. Excess idling, like waiting for the kids in the morning.
7. Important, keep tires properly inflated. This can save lots of money over a year period. And check them every month or more often.
8. Tune up engine. Another important gas and engine saver.
9. Don't tailgate. You spend half your time hitting the brakes, and then back to the gas pedal.
10. Don't use oversized tires unless you really need them. Try and stay with stock size tires or close to it.
If you have more than one vehicle, use the most fuel efficient.
Run on 1/4 tank and close to empty most the time, you know less weight.
keep your windows closed if you can....less drag....
Forgot about that one. Good one.
Work from home most the time. Commute 4 miles or less.
don't use the AC.
Turn off the A/C.
Mooch rides.
Replace the solid tailgate on your pick up with one of those net things or drive with the tailgate down to save on gas at expressway speeds.
Ask people to pick up your groceries.
I parked the F150 and started driving the ranger. I don't waste trips anyway. I order most of the parts I need for my business and anything else I can get locally.
catch a good draft at the back of an 18 wheeler :)
Caution: At least in Virginia, driving with the tailgate down is a five dollar fine.
Better yet, don't use your AC. It's a significant difference. They did this on Mythbusters and had two identical cars, equal in weight, one with the AC full on, one with the windows open. The car with the windows open they got about 15 extra miles per tank.
Drive in the highest gear possible. for those with a shift.
Hence the suggestion of the net thing replacement.
Switch off the engine when going down hill, use neutral.
Yeah, I think I should pick one of those up.
addendum to mythbusters AC vs windows down test:
Tests were performed under varying conditions (55 mph versus 45 mph). Also, the 55 mph test was using a computer to estimate fuel efficiency based on air intake, not actual fuel consupmtion, and showed A/C was more efficient. The 45 mph test was a simple run the tank until it's empty test, and showed open windows were more efficient.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.