Six gas-saving myths

osprey4 · May 13th, 2008, 05:12 PM

As seen on CNN:

#1 Fill your tank in the morning
#2 Change your air filter
#3 Use premium fuel
#4 Pump up your tires (Their point? Yes it helps, but not enough to offset the extra risk.)
#5 To A/C or not A/C (too little difference to matter so you might as well stay comfortable)
#6 Bolt-ons and pour-ins (such as this gadget)

The bottom line? There's no substitute for a proper maintenance and "gentle" driving to save gas.

The Real Bingo · May 13th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Regarding #4 and #5...

Overinflating depends on a couple things: time of year and how much you overinflate. Tires lose air anyway, so periodic maintenance is important. If you filled your tires up in the summer, check in the winter - colder, denser air will reduce the pressure, and you should reinflate to specs. I always add 2 pounds more than recommended to compensate for temperature fluctuations and pressure loss, plus the car handles better.

The a/c on is better on the highway due to drag. Around the city, I'm convinced windows open is a better option.

SoloCamo · May 13th, 2008, 10:26 PM

Change your air filter?

Wow. Well I suppose a dirty, old air filter does help economy, right?

How does that not qualify as proper maintenance?

And TRB is correct regarding AC and tire pressure.

MD1032 · May 14th, 2008, 12:03 AM

Hah, that water to gas converter is the biggest bunch of bull I've seen in a long time. Hilarious!

One thing they forgot to mention that people are starting to believe: adding acetone/ethanol to increase your fuel economy. Gah!!! Stupidest idea ever. Those compounds aren't as stable as heptane and octane and will both corrode parts of your engine slowly over time and screw up your engine if the amounts are too high.

osprey4 · May 14th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoloCamo

Change your air filter?

Wow. Well I suppose a dirty, old air filter does help economy, right?

How does that not qualify as proper maintenance?

And TRB is correct regarding AC and tire pressure.

Quote:

Maintaining your car is important, but a clean air filter isn't going to save you any gas. Modern engines have computer sensors that automatically adjust the fuel-air mixture as an increasingly clogged air filter chokes off the engine's air supply. While engine power will decrease slightly as the air filter becomes clogged, a lack of performance or an increase in fuel consumption will be negligible, Consumer Reports says.

SoloCamo · May 14th, 2008, 09:26 AM

I always look at a decrease in engine efficiency/power as a decrease in MPG. It simply means that same car that would otherwise go from 0-XXmph in X seconds, now takes longer, making you accelerate longer, burning more fuel. Basically with the loss of power you have to push down more on the throttle to get the same results.

Now of course if normal maintenance is done, even a "dirty" air filter shouldn't be bad enough to cause a choke of power of that magnitude.

zen · May 14th, 2008, 12:31 PM

I disagree with #3 and #5.

jokostel · May 14th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen

I disagree with #3 and #5.

SoloCamo · May 14th, 2008, 12:49 PM

Wait, so you guys are suggesting you get better fuel economy by running premium?

I feel bad for your wallets...

MD1032 · May 14th, 2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoloCamo

Wait, so you guys are suggesting you get better fuel economy by running premium?

I feel bad for your wallets...

Me too. It's been proven to be bogus time and time again. As long as your engine doesn't knock on regular or plus, you're not gaining anything from buying premium.