so, gas is around 3.50 in my area right now, and there's no way i can afford it as a 17 year old. i don't know much about cars, but i DO know that things can be modified in such a way to increase mpg. what i DON'T know is what those things are. so i'm asking all you car savvy folks to inform me. thanks. karma for anybody that helps.
Don't floor it every time the light turns green, and a new air filter/ fuel filter can help with mpg.
Quit racing away from lights
Drive slower and more gently
Change up gears sooner (but bein a yank you prob have an auto)
Switch off engine in traffic
Coast down hills (again need a non auto box)
Petrol or diesel??? Use chip fat instead http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1750734.stm
Lose all the crap you probably have in the boot. (less weight)
Get a mate to pick you up instead
Get the Bus
Walk
Plenty more but bored now - Hope it helps
Drive slower and more gently
Change up gears sooner (but bein a yank you prob have an auto)
Switch off engine in traffic
Coast down hills (again need a non auto box)
Petrol or diesel??? Use chip fat instead http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1750734.stm
Lose all the crap you probably have in the boot. (less weight)
Get a mate to pick you up instead
Get the Bus
Walk
Plenty more but bored now - Hope it helps
IMO, most of those mods and devices that promise increased MPG are just gimmicks. If they do help, the benefit is so small it's barely noticable.
The best thing to do - and I know it's hard to do - is to just slow down. Things like:
* slowly accelerate from a dead stop instead of "jumping on it"
* when approaching a red light / stop sign, coast into it and slow down slowly. No sense wasting gas by maintaing your speed up until the point you have to stop. You have to stop anyway, so save some gas and save your brakes by easing into it.
* drive 5 mph less than the posted speed limit (unless by doing so, you're creating a hazard on the road)
* keep your tires properly inflated
By doing the above mentioned things, I'm able to get roughly 1-2 mph more out on the highway with my truck (around 19 mpg). Town/city driving is another story -- but by following the tips above, you should see a slight increase in mpg.
The best thing to do - and I know it's hard to do - is to just slow down. Things like:
* slowly accelerate from a dead stop instead of "jumping on it"
* when approaching a red light / stop sign, coast into it and slow down slowly. No sense wasting gas by maintaing your speed up until the point you have to stop. You have to stop anyway, so save some gas and save your brakes by easing into it.
* drive 5 mph less than the posted speed limit (unless by doing so, you're creating a hazard on the road)
* keep your tires properly inflated
By doing the above mentioned things, I'm able to get roughly 1-2 mph more out on the highway with my truck (around 19 mpg). Town/city driving is another story -- but by following the tips above, you should see a slight increase in mpg.
a cold air intake helps increase gas mileage and performance
Last edited by russ)=spetsnaz (2007-05-23 06:59:46)
To save up on gas here is an unbeatable formula:
Japanese 4 cylinder car + manual transmission = saves you $$$
Japanese 4 cylinder car + manual transmission = saves you $$$
I don't know much about cars or the parts inside of them but I bought a brand new Explorer last year and have done, and do everything I've listed here and my mileage increased dramatically.
1. Replace your spark plugs and index them. Indexing is when you install the spark plugs so that the spark side lines up with fuel injector hole (Or whatever its called).
2. Get your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Keeps all your parts smooth and friction free.
3. Use fuel system cleaner after every oil change. ($6 bottle you can buy at Wal-Mart. Use when you fill up your next tank of gas after an oil change)
4. Use fuel detergent increaser (I forget the actual name). You can buy a case of this stuff at Wal-Mart for cheap, and just add it to your gas tank like every 3rd time you fill up (Or every time if you wanted). All it does is add more detergents to your system which helps clean out all the build-up.
5. Make a mild investment in a K&W air filter intake system. About $100 plus whoever you pay to have it installed. Gets rid of your normal air filter and replaces it with an intake which frees up a *whole* lot of engine strain, and gives you more power.
6. If you're not in a hurry then don't drive like you are. Don't gun it taking off from red lights or stop signs.
7. It may be in my head, but I've noticed that if I keep my gas tank above halfway full, I get better overall mileage as opposed to driving around until I'm empty.
8. Check the air in your tires once a week, and keep them inflated at least one pound under the maximum. This saves a LOT on mileage.
9. If you're going somewhere with friends then have them pick you up. I'm constantly conning people into picking me up.
1. Replace your spark plugs and index them. Indexing is when you install the spark plugs so that the spark side lines up with fuel injector hole (Or whatever its called).
2. Get your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Keeps all your parts smooth and friction free.
3. Use fuel system cleaner after every oil change. ($6 bottle you can buy at Wal-Mart. Use when you fill up your next tank of gas after an oil change)
4. Use fuel detergent increaser (I forget the actual name). You can buy a case of this stuff at Wal-Mart for cheap, and just add it to your gas tank like every 3rd time you fill up (Or every time if you wanted). All it does is add more detergents to your system which helps clean out all the build-up.
5. Make a mild investment in a K&W air filter intake system. About $100 plus whoever you pay to have it installed. Gets rid of your normal air filter and replaces it with an intake which frees up a *whole* lot of engine strain, and gives you more power.
6. If you're not in a hurry then don't drive like you are. Don't gun it taking off from red lights or stop signs.
7. It may be in my head, but I've noticed that if I keep my gas tank above halfway full, I get better overall mileage as opposed to driving around until I'm empty.
8. Check the air in your tires once a week, and keep them inflated at least one pound under the maximum. This saves a LOT on mileage.
9. If you're going somewhere with friends then have them pick you up. I'm constantly conning people into picking me up.
Last edited by BeerzGod (2007-05-23 07:12:40)
Get frequent tuneups if your car>10yrs old.
Take this for shorter distances - or just get a car that needs less gas, with about... erhm... 5-6 liters (could we in international interests please all use the metric system for such things?) per km (again). Little cars might not be seen as of any use in the states, but they're really something also you should start to consider buying.
Last edited by Stormscythe (2007-05-23 07:27:56)
Low Revs
As almost everyone else has said, anything mods you made to your engine to increase MPG will mostly likely be ineffective and cost a lot more than the gas you're saving. Carpooling and the foot-leather express are your best options for not sending all your money to Saudi Arabia.
make sure your tires are inflated to the right PSI.
do check ups on your car, take it to a mechanic to do some tune ups
close your windows, it'll reduce drag
don't race
there's no need speed, you are just going to get to the traffic light faster than anybody but still be waiting there until it turns green.
car pool if you want
get more than one part time job to pay for gas, most of my commission money goes to gas, which sucks.
do check ups on your car, take it to a mechanic to do some tune ups
close your windows, it'll reduce drag
don't race
there's no need speed, you are just going to get to the traffic light faster than anybody but still be waiting there until it turns green.
car pool if you want
get more than one part time job to pay for gas, most of my commission money goes to gas, which sucks.
quit being 17
i hear the tire pressure thing a lot.
i hear the tire pressure thing a lot.
Last edited by GunSlinger OIF II (2007-05-23 08:52:10)
I think this would be wrong. Less gas in the tank equals less weight which equals less fuel used.BeerzGod wrote:
7. It may be in my head, but I've noticed that if I keep my gas tank above halfway full, I get better overall mileage as opposed to driving around until I'm empty.
One of the biggest wastes of fuel is air conditioning. Open windows on the highway uses more fuel as well.
Remove weight from the car.
Aftermarket intake
Purchase high powered spark plugs
replace wire harness (if your car is old)
Theres stuff that you can buy that cleans the grime from the inside of the engine that you pour into the gas tank and you run your car on idle. (no idea what its called)
Draft behind SUVs and trucks.
Aftermarket intake
Purchase high powered spark plugs
replace wire harness (if your car is old)
Theres stuff that you can buy that cleans the grime from the inside of the engine that you pour into the gas tank and you run your car on idle. (no idea what its called)
Draft behind SUVs and trucks.
REDEXThe#1Spot wrote:
Remove weight from the car.
Aftermarket intake
Purchase high powered spark plugs
replace wire harness (if your car is old)
Theres stuff that you can buy that cleans the grime from the inside of the engine that you pour into the gas tank and you run your car on idle. (no idea what its called)
Draft behind SUVs and trucks.
According to everything I've ever read, these two things will save you more gas than everything else combined. Simply, drive gently (like a 90 year old lady) and keep those tires inflated (reduces friction).BeerzGod wrote:
6. If you're not in a hurry then don't drive like you are. Don't gun it taking off from red lights or stop signs.
8. Check the air in your tires once a week, and keep them inflated at least one pound under the maximum. This saves a LOT on mileage.
best way to save money on gas........................don't drive at all.
use the bus if you are in a big city.
use the bus if you are in a big city.
You might gain some mileage if you try removing the air silencer(which is free):
http://forums.evolutionm.net/archive/in … 20526.html
http://forums.evolutionm.net/archive/in … 20526.html