Fuel Saving Tips from MSN Auto
August-22nd-2005 | 09:45 AM
#1
Thread Starter
The man behind the mask
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,572
From: Birmingham, AL
Fuel Saving Tips from MSN Auto
Fuel-Saving Tips
Regular servicing keeps your vehicle operating at peak efficiency, which maximizes fuel efficiency.
by Ann Job
A little advance planning, a less-aggressive driving style and a well-maintained car can help you get the most out of every gallon of fuel.
Having tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as six percent.
No matter where you live and what you drive, you can maximize every gallon of fuel. Here's how:
Regular Servicing Is Important
Keep your vehicle well maintained with regular servicing to keep it operating at peak efficiency. An inefficient engine—with fouled spark plugs, for example—won't make optimum use of fuel. Be sure the air filter and the fuel filter are clean. Put in new ones if they're not. A new oxygen sensor alone can improve gas mileage by as much as 15 percent, according to AutoZone, a car parts store.
Don't forget little things like the air in your tires. Having tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as 6 percent, while periodic wheel alignments can help improve fuel economy up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Clean out that trunk, cargo area or pickup bed. Take out unneeded items that only add weight to your vehicle. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. According to AutoZone, every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your fuel mileage.
Be a Different Driver
Change your driving style. Accelerate gradually, drive smoothly and with care and you could see as much as a 20 percent gain in fuel economy compared with what you'd get with an aggressive driving style, the EPA says. Skip those jackrabbit starts and sudden pedal-to-the-metal maneuvers if you want to save gas. Anticipate stops so you avoid sudden braking, and take a long view of the road ahead, coasting safely to an intersection in front of you where you see traffic stopped.
Don't speed. A car or truck moving at 55 miles an hour can get about 15 percent better fuel economy than the same car going 65 mph. Use your vehicle's navigation system, if you have one, in your travels to new locales. This can save you from getting lost and wasting gas.
Drive Smart
Don't be idle too long. Don't waste fuel by sitting in that drive-thru lane at McDonald's or Taco Bell. Park and go inside instead. Don't let your vehicle idle as you wait outside the elementary school to pick up your children. Idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off, waiting for your youngsters and then restarting the engine.
When you're in slow city traffic, keep the air conditioner off, if possible. Roll down the windows and open the air vents to keep you and your riders comfortable. That air conditioner is a burden that uses fuel, and if you're tooling around town, you can see a "very slight" improvement in gas mileage by keeping it turned off, a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said.
Plan Ahead
Combine your errands into one trip, rather than taking multiple trips from home. Organize your stops so they're near each other and so you don't retrace your path. You may even be able to park in one central spot and walk between some of your stops rather than driving and parking at each one. For large gatherings like family reunions and church picnics, organize a carpool. If the distance to these events is long, Budget Rent a Car Corp. suggests even renting a 15-person van to maximize fuel savings vs. driving a number of separate vehicles in these circumstances.
Plan your trips so you go out during less-congested times of day. When there's less traffic, you're more apt to be able to drive smoothly. Use navigation aids on the Internet or in your vehicle to keep from getting lost—and thus wasting fuel—when you're headed to a new, unknown location.
Weather Effects
Note that road and weather conditions have a role, too, in the fuel economy of your vehicle. Driving into a 20-mph headwind can reduce fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. Driving up a mountain road with a 7 percent grade can cut fuel economy by as much as 25 percent. Driving on gravel and in slush and snow requires a bit more fuel, too.
Other Modes of Transport
Look at alternative transportation options—even if it's just for one or two days a week. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take public transportation and leave your vehicle at home. The League of American Bicyclists, based in Washington D.C., notes that cycling to work not only saves on gas, it is an excellent cardiovascular workout. And in some cases, the league says, commuters actually arrive at their destination quicker on a bicycle than they would via congested auto roadways.
When you shop for a new vehicle, compare fuel economy. Bear in mind how bigger vehicles, bigger engines, four-wheel drive and lots of optional equipment can add to a vehicle's weight and, as a result, reduce its fuel efficiency. Even larger tires can have an effect. A tire with a larger "footprint" on the road that doesn't have a special rubber compound designed to improve fuel economy has more rolling resistance than a comparable smaller tire, and this can lower fuel economy.
You don't always have to avoid popular vehicles in order to save money at the gas pump. Some smaller trucks and sport-utility vehicles rank better in fuel economy than do some cars. For example, the Ford Ranger 2WD with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and manual transmission is the "most efficient standard pickup truck," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It gets an estimated 24 miles a gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, the EPA says, for a combined rating of 26 mpg. This is better than the combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg for the Chrysler Sebring with automatic transmission.
Watch for New, High-Tech Solutions
Check out the newest automotive technology. It's getting more mainstream with each passing year.
In spring 2002, Honda began selling its second gas-electric hybrid car in the U.S. The Civic Hybrid is rated at 48 miles a gallon in combined city/highway fuel economy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It joins the Insight, the first gas-electric hybrid car available in the United States, and Toyota Prius hybrid car, whose U.S. sales started in the 2001 model year, as very fuel-thrifty vehicles.
In fact, all three vehicles are in the top ten on the EPA's list of fuel-efficient vehicles for the 2005 model year. The manual-transmission Insight is rated at 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. A two-seater, this hatchback has a small three-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor that never needs to be plugged in. The Civic Hybrid, with a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and electric motor, achieves 45 mpg in the city and 51 mpg at highway speeds, for a combined fuel economy rating of 47 mpg.
The four-door, five-passenger Prius uses a similar hybrid gas-electric combination, but the internal combustion engine is a 1.5-liter four cylinder. The Prius is rated at 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.
Ford Motor Co. introduced the first gas-electric hybrid sport-utility vehicle—the Escape Hybrid—in calendar 2004, and other automakers have hybrid vehicle plans in the works, too.
New technology efforts don't end there. Virtually all automakers are researching ways to build a commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle.
Even if you don't decide on a new-technology vehicle, you should carefully consider whether you really need a V6 or a V8 in your next car or truck. The National Automobile Dealers Association advises consumers to test drive models with various engines in a range of driving conditions to determine what fits them best, and to assess the tradeoffs.
Other Costs Affected
Keep in mind you might pay a bit more for that next new car. Higher fuel prices in recent years have prompted many automakers to boost the price of delivering vehicles to dealerships. You see these higher trucking charges on the window sticker, on the "destination and delivery" line.
An Eye to the Future
Think about how your fuel conservation efforts benefit the Earth and future generations.
Scientists say global warming and its projected disastrous effects on weather, rising sea levels and heat deaths are due, in part, to the burning of fossil fuels.
So, every gallon of gas you don't use can help ease global warming.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
Not one mention of deisel.....why? Our TDi gets almost identical numbers to the honda civic hybrid and it gets better everytank.
Regular servicing keeps your vehicle operating at peak efficiency, which maximizes fuel efficiency.
by Ann Job
A little advance planning, a less-aggressive driving style and a well-maintained car can help you get the most out of every gallon of fuel.
Having tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as six percent.
No matter where you live and what you drive, you can maximize every gallon of fuel. Here's how:
Regular Servicing Is Important
Keep your vehicle well maintained with regular servicing to keep it operating at peak efficiency. An inefficient engine—with fouled spark plugs, for example—won't make optimum use of fuel. Be sure the air filter and the fuel filter are clean. Put in new ones if they're not. A new oxygen sensor alone can improve gas mileage by as much as 15 percent, according to AutoZone, a car parts store.
Don't forget little things like the air in your tires. Having tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as 6 percent, while periodic wheel alignments can help improve fuel economy up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Clean out that trunk, cargo area or pickup bed. Take out unneeded items that only add weight to your vehicle. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. According to AutoZone, every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your fuel mileage.
Be a Different Driver
Change your driving style. Accelerate gradually, drive smoothly and with care and you could see as much as a 20 percent gain in fuel economy compared with what you'd get with an aggressive driving style, the EPA says. Skip those jackrabbit starts and sudden pedal-to-the-metal maneuvers if you want to save gas. Anticipate stops so you avoid sudden braking, and take a long view of the road ahead, coasting safely to an intersection in front of you where you see traffic stopped.
Don't speed. A car or truck moving at 55 miles an hour can get about 15 percent better fuel economy than the same car going 65 mph. Use your vehicle's navigation system, if you have one, in your travels to new locales. This can save you from getting lost and wasting gas.
Drive Smart
Don't be idle too long. Don't waste fuel by sitting in that drive-thru lane at McDonald's or Taco Bell. Park and go inside instead. Don't let your vehicle idle as you wait outside the elementary school to pick up your children. Idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off, waiting for your youngsters and then restarting the engine.
When you're in slow city traffic, keep the air conditioner off, if possible. Roll down the windows and open the air vents to keep you and your riders comfortable. That air conditioner is a burden that uses fuel, and if you're tooling around town, you can see a "very slight" improvement in gas mileage by keeping it turned off, a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said.
Plan Ahead
Combine your errands into one trip, rather than taking multiple trips from home. Organize your stops so they're near each other and so you don't retrace your path. You may even be able to park in one central spot and walk between some of your stops rather than driving and parking at each one. For large gatherings like family reunions and church picnics, organize a carpool. If the distance to these events is long, Budget Rent a Car Corp. suggests even renting a 15-person van to maximize fuel savings vs. driving a number of separate vehicles in these circumstances.
Plan your trips so you go out during less-congested times of day. When there's less traffic, you're more apt to be able to drive smoothly. Use navigation aids on the Internet or in your vehicle to keep from getting lost—and thus wasting fuel—when you're headed to a new, unknown location.
Weather Effects
Note that road and weather conditions have a role, too, in the fuel economy of your vehicle. Driving into a 20-mph headwind can reduce fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. Driving up a mountain road with a 7 percent grade can cut fuel economy by as much as 25 percent. Driving on gravel and in slush and snow requires a bit more fuel, too.
Other Modes of Transport
Look at alternative transportation options—even if it's just for one or two days a week. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take public transportation and leave your vehicle at home. The League of American Bicyclists, based in Washington D.C., notes that cycling to work not only saves on gas, it is an excellent cardiovascular workout. And in some cases, the league says, commuters actually arrive at their destination quicker on a bicycle than they would via congested auto roadways.
When you shop for a new vehicle, compare fuel economy. Bear in mind how bigger vehicles, bigger engines, four-wheel drive and lots of optional equipment can add to a vehicle's weight and, as a result, reduce its fuel efficiency. Even larger tires can have an effect. A tire with a larger "footprint" on the road that doesn't have a special rubber compound designed to improve fuel economy has more rolling resistance than a comparable smaller tire, and this can lower fuel economy.
You don't always have to avoid popular vehicles in order to save money at the gas pump. Some smaller trucks and sport-utility vehicles rank better in fuel economy than do some cars. For example, the Ford Ranger 2WD with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and manual transmission is the "most efficient standard pickup truck," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It gets an estimated 24 miles a gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, the EPA says, for a combined rating of 26 mpg. This is better than the combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg for the Chrysler Sebring with automatic transmission.
Watch for New, High-Tech Solutions
Check out the newest automotive technology. It's getting more mainstream with each passing year.
In spring 2002, Honda began selling its second gas-electric hybrid car in the U.S. The Civic Hybrid is rated at 48 miles a gallon in combined city/highway fuel economy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It joins the Insight, the first gas-electric hybrid car available in the United States, and Toyota Prius hybrid car, whose U.S. sales started in the 2001 model year, as very fuel-thrifty vehicles.
In fact, all three vehicles are in the top ten on the EPA's list of fuel-efficient vehicles for the 2005 model year. The manual-transmission Insight is rated at 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. A two-seater, this hatchback has a small three-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor that never needs to be plugged in. The Civic Hybrid, with a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and electric motor, achieves 45 mpg in the city and 51 mpg at highway speeds, for a combined fuel economy rating of 47 mpg.
The four-door, five-passenger Prius uses a similar hybrid gas-electric combination, but the internal combustion engine is a 1.5-liter four cylinder. The Prius is rated at 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.
Ford Motor Co. introduced the first gas-electric hybrid sport-utility vehicle—the Escape Hybrid—in calendar 2004, and other automakers have hybrid vehicle plans in the works, too.
New technology efforts don't end there. Virtually all automakers are researching ways to build a commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle.
Even if you don't decide on a new-technology vehicle, you should carefully consider whether you really need a V6 or a V8 in your next car or truck. The National Automobile Dealers Association advises consumers to test drive models with various engines in a range of driving conditions to determine what fits them best, and to assess the tradeoffs.
Other Costs Affected
Keep in mind you might pay a bit more for that next new car. Higher fuel prices in recent years have prompted many automakers to boost the price of delivering vehicles to dealerships. You see these higher trucking charges on the window sticker, on the "destination and delivery" line.
An Eye to the Future
Think about how your fuel conservation efforts benefit the Earth and future generations.
Scientists say global warming and its projected disastrous effects on weather, rising sea levels and heat deaths are due, in part, to the burning of fossil fuels.
So, every gallon of gas you don't use can help ease global warming.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
Not one mention of deisel.....why? Our TDi gets almost identical numbers to the honda civic hybrid and it gets better everytank.
August-22nd-2005 | 12:30 PM
#3
Thread Starter
The man behind the mask
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,572
From: Birmingham, AL
a lot.... i got real pissed a few years back when my town raised taxes to "better equip our law enforcement officers". I voted YES for it. (as any smart person would) then I saw what they used the money on.
The K9 officers were given Expeditions, the Narcotics officers (ICE) got Expeditions, and homicide got.... EXCURSIONS. EXCURSIONS. I didn't stutter.
At the time I was working for Ford and I knew exactly what they paid for those vehicles (fleet rates). I promptly took my numbers and presented it to our mayor and cheif of police.
I asked "why is an excursion necessary?"
response "we haul around a lot of equipment"
me: "did you know a ford Windstar has more cargo capacity than an Excursion when you remove the middle seats?"
them: " we go offroad"
me: "yeah? how often? and how much stuff do you have to carry off road?"
them: "we dont answer to you."
me: "yes you do I'm a tax payer and a voter."
them: "leave"
me: "f'in eat me you pathetic waste of taxpayers effort."
p.s. when given the chance I HIGHLY suggest telling the cheif of police to "eat me". It's very gratifying to let them know what a huge beuracratic jackass they are while they can't do **** to you.
The K9 officers were given Expeditions, the Narcotics officers (ICE) got Expeditions, and homicide got.... EXCURSIONS. EXCURSIONS. I didn't stutter.
At the time I was working for Ford and I knew exactly what they paid for those vehicles (fleet rates). I promptly took my numbers and presented it to our mayor and cheif of police.
I asked "why is an excursion necessary?"
response "we haul around a lot of equipment"
me: "did you know a ford Windstar has more cargo capacity than an Excursion when you remove the middle seats?"
them: " we go offroad"
me: "yeah? how often? and how much stuff do you have to carry off road?"
them: "we dont answer to you."
me: "yes you do I'm a tax payer and a voter."
them: "leave"
me: "f'in eat me you pathetic waste of taxpayers effort."
p.s. when given the chance I HIGHLY suggest telling the cheif of police to "eat me". It's very gratifying to let them know what a huge beuracratic jackass they are while they can't do **** to you.
August-22nd-2005 | 04:54 PM
#6
I can has autox now?
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,381
From: ASC, GA
http://www.dieselnet.com/ - dont see anything about that?
August-23rd-2005 | 02:24 PM
#8
little asian member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 572
From: Tucson, AZ
i read it in an article in the september issue of car and driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=2
One cautionary note: If you find the notion of a Liberty diesel appealing, buy soon. Barring some dramatic change in technology, passenger-car diesels will disappear by 2007, when Tier 2 emissions regs come on in full force. No current passenger-car diesel meets this new standard.
August-23rd-2005 | 02:37 PM
#9
little asian member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 572
From: Tucson, AZ
and here's another quoted article on edmunds.com:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...7/article.html
Finally, there's the emissions issue. Diesels emit less carbon dioxide than gasoline engines but release more nitrogen oxide and soot, especially when they run on the high-sulfur diesel fuel sold in the U.S. The availability of lower-sulfur fuel in 2006 will help some, but in order to meet tougher 2007 emissions standards, the Liberty CRD will need a particulate filter and/or an onboard fuel reformer. Already you can't buy one in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York or Vermont.
August-23rd-2005 | 02:42 PM
#10
Thread Starter
The man behind the mask
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,572
From: Birmingham, AL
they are speaking specifically of a "Liberty CRD" vehicle. According to VW of America they have stepped up production of TDi's for sale in the US by over 20% and this includes the 2006/2007 models. I don't think they plan much further ahead than that.
The article does sound suspect though. I can't imagine the government raising our fuel prices like this and then not allowing us to have efficient vehicles. I've bought 4 new cars this year. I can't afford to switch again.
The article does sound suspect though. I can't imagine the government raising our fuel prices like this and then not allowing us to have efficient vehicles. I've bought 4 new cars this year. I can't afford to switch again.
August-23rd-2005 | 02:57 PM
#11
little asian member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 572
From: Tucson, AZ
it's not just the liberty, it's all passenger cars powered by diesel in california, new york, maine, mass, and vermont. much like how the protege had seperate federal and california emissions systems at first, then went to strictly california emissions on all cars regardless of where they were sold, i'm afraid the trend here will be a national change to emissions rules on diesel as well. the tier 2 stuff is supposed to be in full effect by 2010. the 5 states just have it implemented already.
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....22218&src=News
The electronics and common rail technology, along with newer particulate filter installations, have helped the newer diesel engines better meet ever-stricter diesel emission regulations. Pollution rules in five states—California, New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont—still preclude the 2005 E320 CDI as well as some of VW's diesel-powered vehicles from being sold there.
Mercedes officials said they plan to offer the diesel E-Class in those states in 2006 for the 2007 model year, after U.S. regulations require refiners to create cleaner diesel fuel, with less sulfur content than what is currently allowed.
Mercedes officials said they plan to offer the diesel E-Class in those states in 2006 for the 2007 model year, after U.S. regulations require refiners to create cleaner diesel fuel, with less sulfur content than what is currently allowed.
August-23rd-2005 | 03:15 PM
#12
Thread Starter
The man behind the mask
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,572
From: Birmingham, AL
I'm gonna have to say that this is wrong...not because I know better but because it doesn't make any sense in the world.
What I think should happen is that diesel passenger vehicles should be given leway when it comes to emissions until the fuel producers can meet requirements. There are SO many people that would be without cars if this were to happen...also think of how many vehicles in the country are run off deisel....18wheelers, dump trucks, city works trucks, garbage trucks, fire trucks, ambulances.....if anything you'll see passenger vehicles adapt to use the slightly different fuel used by heavy machines like those mentioned.
What I think should happen is that diesel passenger vehicles should be given leway when it comes to emissions until the fuel producers can meet requirements. There are SO many people that would be without cars if this were to happen...also think of how many vehicles in the country are run off deisel....18wheelers, dump trucks, city works trucks, garbage trucks, fire trucks, ambulances.....if anything you'll see passenger vehicles adapt to use the slightly different fuel used by heavy machines like those mentioned.
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