May 13th, 2008
Gas and Money Saving tips 1-10 (of 50!)
So I have a massive list of tips I’ve compiled going from the obvious to the not-quite-so-obvious. So here to start things off, is 1-10.
1) Don’t speed
When you speed not only does your drag increase (thinks back to my mechanical engineering classes that I mostly slept through). Not only that, but at higher RPMs even in high gears you are burning a lot more fuel. If you’re on the highway, slowing down from 85 to 70 depending on your car can decrease your fuel consumption by over 20%. I am terrible about this. Im working on it.
2) Dont accelerate too hard
Once again, high RPMs = large amounts of gas being burned. Im also terrible at this. I am also working on this. 
3) De-Junk-ify your car
The more the car weighs the more fuel it uses. Only bring stuff you really need. Like golf clubs.
4) Turn that A/C off (or use less)
When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). Roll down the windows, after all, being in touch with with the cool breeze is nicer anyway, right? Edit: rate of diminishing return, drag gets worse as you speed up so above low speeds, roll the windows up and switch to AC.
5) Long trip? Cruise control it up
Avoid accelerating and decelerating if possible. See #2.
6) Waiting on a Train? How about at Sonic? Turn the car off
Save some otherwise wasted fuel.
7) Keep your tires inflated
My cousin and I just did a test on this on his Lumina and it really does save you several MPG if they are properly inflated…in his case from low to slightly high, 3 MPG, no joke. On my Z thats $.57 per gallon!
Buy the lowest grade (octane) of gasoline that you can (safely)
Check your owner’s manual for this information. IF you’re not pinging, you’re good to go.
9) Pay cash at places that charge extra for credit cards
10) Get gas from places like Walmart and King Soopers that are offering loss leader deals
You can often get gas for a lot cheaper. I am saving about 20 cents a gallon at Kings by my house. Sweet.
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Jesse, welcome back, and congrats on the engagement. Speaking as a happily married man, I’ll tell you the same thing I told my cousin on her wedding day…you dope, why screw up a good thing with a piece of paper?!?!
Just kidding, seriously congrats!
About #4….well the Mythbusters took that one on about a year ago, and I hate to say it, but you’re wrong. According to thier results, opening the window (especially on the highway),decreases the aerodynamic efficiency to the point of being WORSE than turning on the AC, especially in newer cars where the AC units are really efficient.
Additionally, the supermarket in my area has a deal with some local gas stations. For every $50 spent on food, they knock of 10 cents/gallon. Hopefully you and other readers find something like that in your areas, because I last gassed up at $3.03 !
-J
Whoa sweet, thanks for the congrats, and the correction! Do you remember at what point the return was worse with windows down? Obviously idling-some low speed would be more efficient for windows down.
I haven’t seen the episode for quite a while, upwards of a year…but I think they tested at 35 MPH and up, and the results became more profound the faster they went. As a side note, a truck should keep the tailgate up, the bed creates a turbulence bubble at 30 MPH+, and almost acts as the back of a car does. Additionally, drafting behind a box truck or semi at 30-40 feet also cuts fuel consumption dramatically…but it’s not something a novice driver should ever try.
You may save money at first by buying gas at Walmart,but in the long run…come on, it’s WALMART. They are evil and ruining the country.
Actually Walmart is offering goods and services at low prices. To say they are “ruining the country” shows a gross misunderstanding of economics. Id also mention that when hurricane Katrina hit they were not only the first aid that arrived but they also instructed employees to “above all, do the right thing.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501598.html
Corporations are not evil: they are profit motivated but they are made up of people. A business is only as evil as its owners, leaders, and employees.
Have to disagree on #5 in light of #2. In order to effect the best gas mileage, err on the side of lower RPMs over constant speed, even if the vehicle decelerates on moderate or steep inclines. If on the “flat” cruise control will add consistency and lessen fatigue, but “staying in the driving game” and keeping in touch with the RPMs will save more gas than the cruise control. Cruise control around town is a real gas guzzler.
No 4 is a myth.
Reduction of speed is the best mileage booster. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. An economy of between 7% to 23% can be experienced which equates to $0.26 to $0.86 per gallon. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
Good call on excessive idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
Drive sensibly is a good move. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money. Experience a fuel economy increase of %5 to 33%, or $0.19 to $1.23 per gallon.
“A business is only as evil as its owners, leaders…”
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You are correct here. And Wal-Mart’s owners and leaders are evil. Those “low prices” you’re touting come at the expense of others. Furthermore, Wal-Mart is a well known union-buster; any business owner that harasses and fires union organizers is evil. So I second TLC’s comment - it’s not worth it to sell-out your conscience for a few cents per gallon. I gladly pay more across the street.
I was thinking that the remarks by Jesse about Wal Mart might actually make a difference in an anti Wal Mart persons thinking. And then I read Bobs statement and I am again reminded that some people do not want to be confused with the facts. Their mind is already made up. Tis a shame really.
Someone’s economic ignorance never ceases to amaze me. To call Wal Mart’s owners and leaders “evil” either shows a gross misunderstanding of the word, or a blatant attempt to generalize anyone who owns a single share in an index fund.
A very large percentage of company stock is owned by the employees. Are they evil? How ’bout my Dad? Is he evil? He’s a truck driver that works there.
It’s funny how people like Bob vilify companies that make their lives better by offering lower prices and employment to millions, but they cheer on Big Government who takes 40% of their paycheck every week to waste it on stupid programs, pet projects, and vote buying transfer payments.
Wal Mart squeezes its suppliers, yes. But guess what? There is a steady stream of suppliers willing to sell to Wal Mart at Wal Mart’s prices. Think Bob. Think. If things were so bad, would ANY supplier be willing to “cave” to those demands? Wal Mart’s aggressive price shopping has caused suppliers to scale down packaging (less environmental impact), cut costs in the supply chain (reducing prices for consumers), and ship directly to Wal Mart’s distribution centers rather than go through brokers and middlemen (again, less environmental impact AND cost reduction).
Educate yourself, Bob. Think. And quit drinking the Kool Aid.
Hey Bob, I where’d you get that quote? I believe it’s customary to include the author’s name when you quote them. Like this:
“Think Bob. Think.” - Ron (Ron, you’re hilarious.)
Adding the author’s name adds value to your argument. Not adding it could mean that absolutely anyone said it. Like, for instance, someone really, really dumb.
Hey, wouldn’t it be funny if one of Wal-Mart’s leaders was the author of that quote, and Bob neglected to include the person’s name for that very reason?! I guess we’ll never know!
As for the subject of saving gas, does anyone know how much gas is used to start a car? I don’t want to turn off my car when I’m waiting for a train if the amount of gas used to start it back up is more than the amount I would have used to idle.
Well, see ya later!
Jessica Hasenplaugh