6 gas-saving myths

[knj27]

On the AC one, the AC in my truck is broken due to a wreck, and I drive mostly in the city (<50mph) with the windows rolled down (usually just the driver window, due to a lack of power windows and no desire to reach across for the crank. ) I think that for my situation not having AC at all is actually saving me a little gas. Not significant, but this seems to be the only benefit to having to drive with no AC when it's 108 in Phoenix...Now on the highway doing 75+ this is probably not the case.

As for the rest of the myths, even if they were actually all true and you did all of them, you'd probably increase by what, 1 mpg maybe. Not worth getting your panties all in a knot about it just to save a few bucks a month. Pass on one or two more Supersize Whopper meals each month and you'll save the same amount alot easier.

The fact of the matter is that if your going to drive a gas car, the best your really going to do cost-wise is to drive at your most grandma-like, lose weight in the car, and keep everything properly maintained (no need to overmaintain, this is more for the benefit of the car than your wallet). Then grin and bear it as you pay $75 to fill up the tank...

[95WhiteCamry]

^^ well said.

one thing to add though, which isn't a myth to save gas, is carpool.
every morning when i go to class or work, i see a gridlock with family cars or gigantic SUVs with only one person in each. is it really that hard to find someone at work that lives in your neighborhood and has a similar work schedule as you and carpool?

also, lose some weight in the car. I have AAA roadside service for a reason, so no need for a heavy spare rim/tire, jack and tire iron. remove the bike rack or ski rack that you use only during the season, clean up the car from un-needed junk. Also, you don't HAVE to drive everywhere. Public transportation exists for a reason. Use it.

[knj27]

^Good call on the carpooling thing. Although, unfortunately, nobody I work with lives within like 5 miles of me. Oh, and public transportation in Phoenix kinda sucks, and I'm a little scared of it personally, lol. And for many it seems much more convinient to just get in the car and go. But for the cost-concious person I can see how it would be the way to go, in other areas of the country.

Isn't the price of the gas you save by not carrying the things needed to change a tire offset by the fee you pay for the AAA service?

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by 95WhiteCamry

^^ well said.

one thing to add though, which isn't a myth to save gas, is carpool.
every morning when i go to class or work, i see a gridlock with family cars or gigantic SUVs with only one person in each. is it really that hard to find someone at work that lives in your neighborhood and has a similar work schedule as you and carpool?

also, lose some weight in the car. I have AAA roadside service for a reason, so no need for a heavy spare rim/tire, jack and tire iron. remove the bike rack or ski rack that you use only during the season, clean up the car from un-needed junk. Also, you don't HAVE to drive everywhere. Public transportation exists for a reason. Use it.

Dude, are you serious about ditching your spare and tools?

Do you expect AAA to just have a rim and tire ready for you and your exact car?

[EvoFire]

Public transportation doesn't work for everyone. It costs me $3 to get to anywhere on public transportation from my house. The city's biggest mall is where I go to the most, its 5km away, it just isn't viable to put $6 in bus where I can do that in less than $2.

[knj27]

^Exactly. Public transportation is great...in some places. It really just depends on your own personal situation, so ther is really no way to say whether or not public transportation is "good" or "bad". There's not even a bus stop within a mile of my house. I think it would probably be more practical in a downtown or city area, but not for people like me who make frequent trips within suburbia. But if it works for you, go for it...

[yota44]

Ya unless you live in a larger city it seems like there isnt much for public trans. Around here the buses stop running at like 6 and that doesnt really work for me. Also i could never ditch ANY of my tools or spare tire, i have a toolbox full. And i cannot see getting rid of your spare/junk making that big of a difference and i HIGHLY doubt it offsets the price of AAA. Also when i break down it's typically miles away from anything and i would rather not wait for someone to come, and like mentioned before they dont carry around a bunch of spare tires on rims with all the differnet lug patterns.

[Paul3637]

My car gets great gas mileage so I doubt it can get much better. Now that the price of regular versus synthetic oil is nil, I am planning to use Mobil 1 5W30 for my first oil change in my 2009 V6 LE. Does anyone know what they put in at the factory? My car was built in Georgetown KY in Feb 2009. What does Toyota or a qualified expert say about using synthetic? I assume it produces better gas mileage but does it cause the car to use oil? My engine uses virtually no oil, consistent with my old 97 camry V6 and my wifes 2002 Lexus V6. Has anyone had experience with using synthetic in the 3.5 Liter V6 engine? If so, please share the impact of using synthetic oil.

[Firecaptain]

Originally Posted by Paul3637

I am planning to use Mobil 1 5W30 for my first oil change in my 2009 V6 LE. .

Good choice.......I have been using M1 in everything from the lawnmower to the 2 Corollas, 4Runner, and the 2 Camrys, and vehicles past.
I've been using it since 82. Never any oil related issues.