NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- With gasoline prices hitting record levels, it seems everyone has a tip on how to save fuel. Much of the advice is well-intentioned, but in the end, much of it won't lower your gas bill.
Here's a look at a few misconceptions:
#1. Fill your tank in the morning
You may have heard that it's best to fill your gas tank in the early morning while the fuel is cold. The theory goes that fluids are more dense at lower temperatures, so a gallon of cold gas actually has more gas molecules than a gallon of warmer gas.
But the temperature of the gasoline as it comes out of the nozzle varies little during the course of the day, according to Consumer Reports, so there's little, if any, benefit, to getting up early to pump gas.
#2. Change your air filter
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.
#3. Use premium fuel
With prices already over $4.00 a gallon, premium gasoline is a hard sell these days. But a lot of drivers think because their owners' manual recommends premium, they'll get better fuel economy with it. Really, they may be paying more money for nothing.
Newer cars for which premium is "recommended" - but not "required" - won't suffer with regular fuel. Modern engine technology comes to the rescue again. When sensors detect regular instead of premium fuel, the system automatically adjusts spark plug timing. The result is a slight reduction in peak horsepower - really, you'll never notice - but little or no reduction in fuel economy.
Always check your owner's manual before putting anything into your car. And if your car runs badly on regular, by all means, go back to the pricey stuff. (See editor's note at bottom)
#4. Pump up your tires
Proper tire inflation is important for a number of reasons. Under-inflated tires are bad for handling and can even cause a crash. Improper tire inflation also causes tires to wear out faster and to heat up more, which could trigger a dangerous high-speed blow-out.
According to on-the-road driving tests by both Consumer Reports and auto information site Edmunds.com, underinflated tires reduce fuel economy, so proper inflation is key.
But you should never over-inflate your tires. They'll get you slightly better fuel economy because there will be less tread touching the road, reducing friction. But that means less grip for braking and turning. The added risk of a crash isn't worth the extra mile a gallon you might gain.
#5. To A/C or not A/C
There's no question air-conditioning makes extra work for the engine, increasing fuel use. But car air conditioners are much more efficient today than they used to be. In around-town driving, using the A/C will drop fuel economy by about a mile a gallon.
Meanwhile, driving at higher speeds with the windows down greatly increases aerodynamic drag. As speed increases, drag becomes more of an issue, making A/C use the more efficient choice at high speeds.
At most speeds and in most vehicles, A/C use drains slightly more fuel than driving with the windows down, contends David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "My final take on is that it's very close," says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "It's hard to measure the difference and every vehicle is different."
The best choice - if temperature and humidity allow - is to keep the windows rolled up and to turn the A/C compressor off. You can keep the fans running to blow in air from the outside, but your car will be as aerodynamic as possible while still letting you breathe. You will save gas, but the fuel economy improvement will be slight.
#6. Bolt-ons and pour-ins
Before you buy a device that's supposed to make your car more fuel-efficient or pour in an allegedly gas-saving additive, ask yourself this: Don't you think oil and car companies aren't doing everything they can to beat their competitors?
If BP (BP) could add something to its gasoline that made cars go farther on a gallon, cars would be lining up at the company's pumps. Sure, people would burn their fuel-saving BP gas more slowly, but then they'd drive right past rivals' gas stations to come back to BP for more. BP stations could even charge more for their gas and still sell tons of the stuff.
So if there really was an additive that made gas burn up more slowly, it wouldn't be sold over the Internet one bottle at a time.
Likewise, car companies are already spending big bucks to increase fuel mileage. If General Motors could make its cars go significantly farther on a gallon simply by putting a device into the fuel line, don't think for a second it wouldn't be doing that. GM's car sales would go through the roof.
"There are a number of these gas-saving devices that are generally useless," says Champion.
But drivers who try them will swear they work. In reality, it's probably an automotive placebo effect, says Reed. Buy one of these devices or additives, and you're like to pay extreme attention to your fuel economy and how you drive.
Of course it can't hurt to keep a close eye on your driving habits -- and what kind of car you drive. In the end, that can make the most difference in saving gas.
The Camry is a car that I can rip out someone's pride, stab it, beat it, and completely bash their egos, and it's so ridiculous that the person comes back with a hysterical laugh... ROFL They got trainlengthed by a Camry that in their mind, was a 18 sec car.
#3 Is miss-information and could cost you your engine.
If the manufacture reccomends premium or 93 octane gas, its for a good reason. For example, try throwing 87 or 89 octane into a 3SGTE powered MR2. You will get some nice detonation and burn up your engine right quick.
But when it comes to a camry or one of those cars that dont specify octane ratings, then Its wise to just go with 87 or 89.... anything more really is a waste of money
#3 Is miss-information and could cost you your engine.
If the manufacture reccomends premium or 93 octane gas, its for a good reason. For example, try throwing 87 or 89 octane into a 3SGTE powered MR2. You will get some nice detonation and burn up your engine right quick.
But when it comes to a camry or one of those cars that dont specify octane ratings, then Its wise to just go with 87 or 89.... anything more really is a waste of money
true enough, its the same with the evo, altho i dont know if it the manual says it "recomends" or "requires" x octane
Why quote "Consumer Reports" magazine (to which I subscribe)? They and politicians have two things in common: they NEVER admit when they are dead wrong.
Unlike 90% of the cars that are made to run on regular gas, Lexus and Toyota V6 engines have spark advance features that let them take advantage of mid range or premium fuel both including performance and gas mileage. As the price of gas goes up - while the price differential remains the same - the percentage increase makes the cost of using regular vs premium LESS not MORE. Gas is now $4/gallon. 20 cents/400 cents = 5%. 33 vs 30 mpg = 10% (see Lexus forums). CR also said no to frequent oil changes. Toyota defied their logic by lowering the maximum oil change interval from 7,500/6 months to 5,000/6 months while extending the transmission fluid and coolant change intervals from 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Note: V6 crankcase capacity with filter change now 6.4 qts versus 5 quarts through model year 2006.
I always tank up in the early morning---No lines at the gas pump!
Something about having to wait in line to pay $4.00 per gallon (while burning fuel at $4.00/gal) does not sit well.
There is a gas station in Norwood, MA called "Rojo's" And they always mark thier gas 10 cents lower then the competition.... They have maybe 24-26 pumps and there is always a line 24 hours a day at this place...the line from the last pump can extend to almost 30-40 cars long during the day....
I never understand why people will wait 30 minutes to get gas 10 cents cheaper...
Why quote "Consumer Reports" magazine (to which I subscribe)? They and politicians have two things in common: they NEVER admit when they are dead wrong.
I felt that quoting a creditable source that people subscribe to would be better recived than quoting 'joeblow' on a random internet forum
Thats funny cus theres a kid in my town that has an 84 toyota 22r 4x4 pickup and he started filling up with 92 octane fuel and using octane booster and claims quite a boost in MPG's
^ There is a possible explanation to that on FI modern cars, but I dunno if it applies to old carb cars. The theory is, the car gets old and carbon deposits on the piston increases the compression. At a higher than normal compression, it would mean the car would run better with more octane.
#1 fill in the morning: This has always bugged me. Maybe it saves you a few thimble- fulls? It's one I tend to agree with.
#2 air filter changes: This is irresponsible at best. I wonder how many dolts will go 100k miles on their factory air filter because of this article? Obviously I don't recommend changing the air filter ever 5k miles or anything like that......but to totally disregard changing it because "modern cars have sensors" is retarded.
#4 air up your tires: This one bugs me too. I have honestly NEVER heard anyone tell another person to OVER inflate their tires. So how is that a common myth? I am a huge advocate for airing up above the car manufacturer's recommended settings, but I NEVER exceed the maximum pressure on the sidewall of the tire itself.
__________________
1993 Camry LE 5SFE AT, 2006 Nissan Armada LE 4x4, 1971 Cadillac Coupe DeVille "pimp juice"
Toys: 2007 Coachmen 19FLB, 2007 Regal 1900 V6
I'm the biggest boss thatchu seen thus far! Baby, that's muh wi'zzard!
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Bye bye savings.
Linear Mode
