How to get the most gas mileage for your money

With gas prices at record highs just before a holiday weekend, we present some tips to maximize your car's fuel economy:

Drive smoothly. Avoid hard acceleration and braking when possible. The harder you accelerate the more fuel you use and unnecessarily hard braking wastes fuel to get back up to speed. It's best to drive smoothly and anticipate the traffic. Also, smooth driving not only saves fuel but will also extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.

Don't be a drag. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Items placed on a roof rack--such as a car-top carrier, or even a bike rack hanging off the back of your car -- add to the drag and can decrease a car's fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Our advice: take these things off when you're not using them.

Slow down. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. A vehicle's gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

Get regular. If your car specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium. Premium fuel doesn't help your engine to run better. Also, many cars that recommend premium fuel also run well on regular.  Check your owner's manual to determine the fuel that is required.

Check inflation. Keep your tires properly inflated. An under inflated tire by only 2 pounds-per-square inch (psi) can cause a 1-percent increase in fuel consumption. Check your vehicle's tire pressure at lease once a month when your tires are cold.

Keep your car in shape. A poorly maintained engine can cut gas mileage by 10-20 percent. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's manual.

For more advice on saving fuel and selecting fuel-efficient models, see our fuel economy guide.

Also read, the report on the latest Auto Pulse survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, on issues concerning gas prices and trade-offs they might be considering.

--Liza Barth

Comments

[automobile]

thanks for this blog..........it will help me to save gas in next travel...actually I will be greatful cz I have planned to long distance travel in this next summer....I will save gas which make me comfortable in tour to move

[George C. McDuffie]

Regarding the type of fuel required for your vehicle: If your car requires only 87 octane, then use it. But, if your vehicle calls for a higher rated octane and you don't use it you could possibly void the cars warranty. I would rather spend a few extra pennies per gallon to maintain my warranty on my car. My Acura calls for a minimum 91 octane rating and I would never think of using a lower grade.

[Gordon Pendell]

I have a been using AMSOIL synthetic for 14 years and my comment is why not make a law to run (all cars, trucks tractors etc on synthetic) This saves oil for gasoline. Synthetic tranny fluid, gear lube etc. AMSOIL is the pioneer of complete synthetics and should be checked out for the various ways they have substituted synthetics vs crude oil products. Long drain intervals help also, 25k oil changes.

[William Chase]

I get more miles to the gallon with higher octane fuel but pay more for it. I calculated it several times and each time whether it was 87 or 93 it came out to the same price per mile.

[howeth]

Do the 20 inch tires (optional 20 inch machined rims) on the new gmc trucks hurt the fuel economy or help the fuel economy as compared to the standard 17 inch tires.

[Karey]

Does changing you oil every 3000 miles instead of 5000 miles help with gas milage.

[Andrew]

Just a few notes on previous comments. If your car is 96 or newer and "requiers" Premium gasoline the cars computer will retard the spark to prevent detonation or knocks. Synthetic oil is on average made of 70% crude oil. And if you run 25K per oil change as an auto tech I hope you change your oil filter at least every 5k because there is NO gasoline automobile oil filter that will hold 25K miles of contaminents. And regarding wheels if they are forged aluminum rims yes the 20" rim and tire is lighter then 17" wheel package Dodge SRT-8's have these for this reason (not fuel economy of course but they are lighter) less rotaional mass alsoo saves on your brakes.

[Toots]

My husband switched to a synthetic oil when he had the 2005 Chrysler T&C van serviced. We drive less than 1000 miles per month. Does this (expensive) oil need to be replaced at 3000 miles or 3 months (like we used to do with petroleum products), or can we stretch out longer between servicing? We don't tow anything or put the vehicle to rough use.

[Alvin D Nix]

Interesting that there is no mention in your article on syntheitic oil products. I have a 2001 Monte Carlo V6 with 147,000 miles on it and I have been using Amsoil synthetic oil,filters,and fuel addative since I bought it. I still get 30 mpg and have had no engine problems in that time. In addition, I change the oil and oil filter at 25K miles or once a year, which has reduced the waste that I produce by 75% over doing a 3000 mile oil and filter change. Also , many of the new products are recommending longer change intervals 7500 miles or greater.

[Dr. Glenn E. Boley]

In response to your article, I have two distinct counter-examples to your claims. I have two cars, a Jaguar XK8 and a Chevrolet Lumina. The Jaguar requires premium gas, and gets between 19.5 and 22.5 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Longer highway driving has allowed me to test a few of these principles. At average speeds of either 50 or 80, the mileage stays the same - almost always 21 mpg, but on occasion has gotten 22.5 mpg using Shell premium (this has happened only twice, but only with this gas). I use Amoco, Costco and Shell on the most regular basis. Perhaps this is due to the aerodynamics of this vehicle, but there is no difference between 50 and 80 mph. In my friends Mercedes S500, speeds higher than 65 mph show a distinct drop in gas mileage - from 30 mpg to under 20! I have seen this with my own eyes.

The Chevy is another strange tale. I get at least 12% better gas mileage with premium over regular. The car requires only regular gas, but with the prices rising, $.30 difference between regular and premium (and it's usually only $.20) divided by $3/gallon, and even at the 10% expense, I will with the premium. I can't explain the extra efficiency, but I've tested it over and over again with the same results.

Bottom line: all rules have exceptions.