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Conservative fuel usage
10 Easy Ways to Save Over a Grand on Gas
by Sean Tucker Tuesday, June 24, 2008 According to the mileage book in my glovebox, I averaged about 21 miles per gallon in May. So far in June, I'm at 26. New, more fuel-efficient, car? Nope, I'm commuting in the same old Volvo S60 that has seen better days. Same dent in the right rear door. Same old Cheerios wedged under the child safety seat in back. (Yeah, I know. I'll get to it, Honey). So how did I do it? I'm trying to learn to drive more efficiently, and little by little, it's working. With a few simple changes, you can easily squeeze more gas mileage out of the car you're already driving. A Note on the Calculations: Your mileage will vary. Governments and automakers estimate fuel mileage savings by percentage -- do x and you'll get five percent better fuel mileage. I wanted to know what they meant in real dollars, so I used the average mileage Americans actually got from their cars in 2007 (22.4 mpg, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics) and boosted it by the percentage each tip should gain. I've assumed you spend 55 percent of the time driving in the city and 45 percent driving on the highway. I borrowed those assumptions from the formula EPA uses to calculate the mileage of new cars. Using the average price of a gallon of gas as of June 12 ($4.05, according to AAA) and assuming you drive 15,000 miles a year (according to EPA estimates), I calculated what each tip would save in a year. The numbers aren't a perfect prediction -- I have no idea what you drive, or what's in your trunk -- but they do provide an interesting perspective. Here are ten easy ways to put the math to the test and put some more cash in your wallet. 1. Get that "Check Engine" Light Checked Out: Possible Savings: Off the charts A faulty oxygen sensor -- a fairly common cause of those unexplained "check engine" lights -- can actually cost you up to 40 percent of your engine's performance. If the light's on, make the appointment now. It could pay for itself very quickly. 2. Check Your Tire Pressure: Possible Savings 133.9 gallons/year ($542/yr) According to some government estimates, the average driver could boost their fuel efficiency by 25 percent just by keeping their tires inflated. That's often a free, or cheap, repair. On my way to work, I pass two gas stations with air compressors I can use for free, and three -- apparently owned by cheapskates -- that take quarters. 3. Change Your Air Filter: Possible Savings 60.9 gallons/yr ($247/yr) Gas is half of the combustion equation. Air is the other half. A clogged air filter can rob 10 percent of your engine's efficiency. A new air filter can get that 10 percent back -- usually for under $15. 4. Drive 60 on the Highway, Not 75: Possible Savings: 57.8 gallons/year ($234/yr) On the highway, stay close to the speed limit, and keep your speed as constant as traffic allows. Most cars reach optimal gas mileage at about 60 miles per hour. Speeding up increases wind resistance against the car, making the engine work harder and burn more gas. According to the EPA, each 5 mph over 60 that you drive decreases fuel efficiency by up to seven percent. 5. Turn Off the A/C: Possible Savings 31.9 gallons/yr ($129/yr) Some air conditioners rob an engine up to five percent of its fuel economy. There is some controversy about this one -- many newer cars are able to compensate for the energy used by an air conditioner and don't suffer the same penalty for keeping cool. 6. Get Your Engine Tuned: Possible Savings 25.8 gallons/year ($104/yr) Most of us can boost our mpg by four percent with a simple tune-up. 7. Drive Calmly in the City Possible Savings: 17.9 gallons/yr ($73/yr) There's a red light up ahead. You're going to stop when you get to it. Do you keep your foot on the gas until it's time to brake for the light? Most of us do, but that doesn't necessarily make sense. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that accelerating rapidly and braking hard can reduce your car's fuel efficiency by as much as five percent. And that may be a low estimate. Look at it this way -- are you willing to spend money to stop at that light sooner? Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/yr for each 100 pounds you remove ($104/yr) Government estimates say that an extra 100 pounds in your car can reduce fuel efficiency by up to two percent. And that's an average -- the smaller the car, the more extra weight makes the engine work harder. So, empty the trunk. In winter, don't just scrape the windshield, scrape the entire car -- snow and ice add to the weight of your car. 9. Lose the Roof Rack Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/year ($53/yr) Wind resistance is the enemy of fuel efficiency. Do you have a roof rack? Every time you drive, it's making your car fight wind resistance, and burn fuel. Most of the time, that's money you're spending to carry an empty roof rack. Get a two percent boost by taking the thing off. 10. Change Your Oil on Time Possible Savings 6.6 gallons/year ($27/yr) After 3,000 miles, changing your oil (using the recommended grade) gives you back one percent of your car's mpg rating. How Much Can You Save? If you follow the tips above, that's $1,514 less you could spend on gas in the next year. Though it's a rough estimate, it shows you what small changes in your habits -- most of which you can make for free -- could do for your wallet. |
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#5- Is a given in Maxine, the "o" rings need to be replaced and there is no freon.....
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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL |
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Quote:
The rest are kinda givens in how I care for the car. I am noticing there are a lot of people slowing down on the highways to conserve gas, myself included. |
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Quote:
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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL |
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Well, now that you mention it, the commissar & I were discussing that just last night. Fact is I've been sooo busy, I've been on in exactly 4 times since Jan. We were discussing going out for a Fri. night ride tomorrow, even though it's risky to say the least driving on Friday nights here with the loons in a hurry to get "down the shore".
The other 4 wheeler and my knock around weather beater is my dad's 83 GMC Sierra long bed.4 spd V6. (That's for the farm girls.) and has no air |
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There's definitely room for improvement on my front. I have slowed down on the highway quite a bit. I do notice that I don't get nearly as agitated anymore as a side benefit.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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That's why getting older is gooder. Age, it's not just for cheese anymore.
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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL |
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When your in a Benz, you must travel faster than traffic. Its a rule.
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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino 1989 560SEC 2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual 1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual |
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If it's good enough for cheese and fine liquors, it's good enough for me!
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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It's nice to know there's something good about it . . . .
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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century OBK #55 1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles 2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles 2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles |
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Even for fine wine, it goes up to a point. What sort of cheese? I don't know from firsthand experience but I don't think Fromunda gets better with age.
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke 99 E300 Turbodiesel 91 Vette with 383 motor 05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI 06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow 04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler 11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow |
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Keep either long enough and they go bad.
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke 99 E300 Turbodiesel 91 Vette with 383 motor 05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI 06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow 04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler 11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow |
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I changed some driving habits on one tank of gas, and I saw a 4mpg increase, and this was with all city driving
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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine) 2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's) 1979 300CD (sold) |
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Can't say that has happened to me. My 99 E300 gets about 28 city and 33 hwy which is better than the EPA rating which is 23mpg. Hwy is 32. I have a more aggressive style of driving and I toned it down for a couple of weeks but the mpg didn't really improve so, back to the "fun way". BTW, in THEORY, I could get 33 mpg at 85 mph with cruise control.
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke 99 E300 Turbodiesel 91 Vette with 383 motor 05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI 06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow 04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler 11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow |
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I have hear/read that the A/C thing is not true (I think myth busters even did a thing on it). If you drive at low speeds (city street driving) them having the A/C off may save a tiny bit of fuel but at highway speeds having the A/C off and the windows open will probably decrease your mileage due to increased drag. Besides, I'm in TX and I am not going to open the windows when it is 100 degrees out.
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Sent from an agnostic abacus 2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD** - With out god, life is everything. - God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson - You can pray for me, I'll think for you. - When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours. |
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