And according to Consumer Reports’ tests, 55 is significantly better than 65, if you don’t mind being passed on all sides. You’re not going to like this, but driving faster than 55 to 65 mph on the highway is bad for your mileage, according to England’s Energy Saving Trust. The best strategy, AAA says, is to find a pace in sync with the lights so you can keep rolling instead of braking.ĭon’t speed. Studies show that rapid accelerations and hard braking consume up to 40% more gas in stop-and-go traffic, and up to 30% more on the highway. The bottom line was that you won’t save much time by racing from light to light. The maniac reached the destination first, but the difference was only a few minutes. Years ago in my high school driver’s ed class, I watched a filmstrip (yes, I’m that old) of two cars heading across town, one driven like a maniac, the other like a Zen master. Take a look at the filter - cleaning it is an easy DIY task. A dirty air filter can lead to poorer performance by older model vehicles without fuel injection. Using regular gas when premium is required can cause the engine to knock, impair its performance and possibly lead to long-term damage.īe kind to your older vehicle’s carburetor. At the same time, says you can save money by using a lower grade than your manufacturer recommends - as long as it’s just a recommendation, not a requirement.Ĭheck the octane sticker on the inside of your gas tank door. There’s no clear advantage to using a higher grade of fuel than called for by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Regardless, stick with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Lower-weight oils (that is, the ones with lower numbers) do a little better in mileage tests, so don’t use 10W-40 when your manufacturer recommends 10W-20. Transmission and powertrain problems can reduce your fuel economy too. It’s not just the engine that’s at issue, Bevacqua said. “Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40%,” the EPA warned (with gusto). Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to fuel economy.
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