Comments on: Sunday Roundup – Gas Experiment Edition

By: William

William — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:56:47 +0000

“I’ll be focusing on accelerating gradually, anticipating stops to minimize braking, and minimizing air conditioning usage when not necessary…”

I’ve been doing this, as well as combining trips and driving less, in general. I’m quite certain that the subtle changes in my driving methods, such as what you describe, have improved my gas mileage a significant amount and thus have saved me some money.

“A/C tip… Esp for short car trips I shut it off about 1/2 way to my destination. The cool air it generated hangs out in the car.”

This may especially be true if one using the air-recirculation setting.

By: Lo. Price

Lo. Price — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:23:34 +0000

Good luck with the experiment. I’ve done a little experiment of my own recently and actually attained an average of 30mpg over 2 tanks (and the highway mpg estimate on my 9-year-old-car is 30). There are lots of tips out there. Reduce weight in your car. Use cruise control on flat highways, don’t drive faster than about 60. One interesting tip I’ve heard is to drive barefoot, if you feel you can do it safely. I’ve heard that your foot it more sensitive to the gas and brake pedals without a shoe, so you won’t hit the gas or brakes as hard without even thinking. Cut the car off instead of idling for longer than 30 seconds. String together errands so that you minimize cold starts.

By: David

David — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:18:42 +0000

Looking forward to the results!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:10:18 +0000

A/C tip… Esp for short car trips I shut it off about 1/2 way to my destination. The cool air it generated hangs out in the car. It is usually that first bit where the car was sitting in the sun heating up all afternoon that is TOO HOT!

Also my husband never wanted to ride to work with me before because I left 20-30 min before he was ready. Filling up his truck is $100 or so now. We ride to work together most days of the week now since gas went over $3.50.

Last fuel economy tip I have is to plan ahead and map out your errands so that you don’t make special trips to that one far away store. We are currently waiting for another excuse to drive down to the S side of town so we can buy some supplies our marine fish tank needs.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:29:21 +0000

It’s been well over $4 a gallon here in Chicago for a while. It still slays me in this day and age to see people gunning it from stop light to stop light in suburban neighborhoods, only to slam on the brakes at red lights. I learned long ago you just can’t beat traffic control devices. I’m also more concerened about the cost of groceries then I am with gas. Driving is a privilege and you can get by without it. Eating, not so much.

By: kimiyasdad

kimiyasdad — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:14:44 +0000

just paid $4.33 a gallon in Sacramento,CA