Comments on: Save Money on Gas http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/ Saving, Earning, and Investing Money Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:17 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-147300 Steve Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:42:21 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-147300 There are several good ideas above, some of which are questionable. Big gains are made by: Reducing RPM for any given speed (reduces number of power pulses from your engine per mile). Reducing the weight of the vehicle. Reduce the rate of acceleration. Reduce your throttle movements. Sharp throttle movements require that the EFI system injects a LOT more fuel compared to slow and progressive throttle movement. Overrall, drive as smoothly as possible, don't rev your engine higher than you need to, to drive off from standing start, and don't move the accelerator pedal up and down as you are driving. Move the throttle pedal very slowly both when opening the throttle, and closing the throttle. There are several good ideas above, some of which are questionable.

Big gains are made by:
Reducing RPM for any given speed (reduces number of power pulses from your engine per mile).
Reducing the weight of the vehicle.
Reduce the rate of acceleration.
Reduce your throttle movements. Sharp throttle movements require that the EFI system injects a LOT more fuel compared to slow and progressive throttle movement.

Overrall, drive as smoothly as possible, don’t rev your engine higher than you need to, to drive off from standing start, and don’t move the accelerator pedal up and down as you are driving. Move the throttle pedal very slowly both when opening the throttle, and closing the throttle.

]]> By: Colourful Money http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-135578 Colourful Money Sat, 02 May 2009 09:45:10 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-135578 Incredible article and useful for us auto drivers polluting the earth lol! I've linked to your article at www.colourfulmoney.com. Incredible article and useful for us auto drivers polluting the earth lol!

I’ve linked to your article at http://www.colourfulmoney.com.

]]> By: Chrysta http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-126981 Chrysta Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:35:40 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-126981 Pardon for the comment, but I just stumbled on your website and am an auto tech myself. While I enjoy "Consumer Reports" and generally have a high opinion of their staff, I remember an exercise we did in class that makes me question their study. In that class we were asked to take a before and after measurement of a car's intake manifold vacuum when we replaced the air filter and cleaned the intake. The car I was working on had a manifold vacuum of 14 inches of mercury ("Hg), which according to the data provided by the manufacturer was about 6-7"Hg below performance specs. I opened the air box and found the filter clogged with blow-by and dirt. After replacing it and cleaning the bottom of the air box, I took another reading, and the gauge held steady at 19"Hg. A 5"Hg difference is incredible, and the only factor changed was the air filter. Surely if the air filter was NOT the factor there would have been no appreciable difference in the results of my test. While Consumer Reports states that cars have sensors that will adjust for a clogged air filter, the fuel injection computer can only adjust so far before the parameters swing beyond the spec of the programming, and the ECU either turns on the check engine light, goes into limp home mode, or both, and the performance of the car is drastically affected. The effect of a clogged air filter over time, therefore, cannot be "negligible" as the article states. They also forgot to allow for non-electronic cars that are incapable of making such adjustments. I also agree with a previous commenter: surely if it were not important, the manufacturer would not recommend that certain routine maintenance (like air filters) be done, as they have no interest in providing what amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars of unnecessary free parts to customers under the car's original warranty. Hmm. Pardon for the comment, but I just stumbled on your website and am an auto tech myself. While I enjoy “Consumer Reports” and generally have a high opinion of their staff, I remember an exercise we did in class that makes me question their study.

In that class we were asked to take a before and after measurement of a car’s intake manifold vacuum when we replaced the air filter and cleaned the intake. The car I was working on had a manifold vacuum of 14 inches of mercury (”Hg), which according to the data provided by the manufacturer was about 6-7″Hg below performance specs. I opened the air box and found the filter clogged with blow-by and dirt. After replacing it and cleaning the bottom of the air box, I took another reading, and the gauge held steady at 19″Hg.

A 5″Hg difference is incredible, and the only factor changed was the air filter. Surely if the air filter was NOT the factor there would have been no appreciable difference in the results of my test.

While Consumer Reports states that cars have sensors that will adjust for a clogged air filter, the fuel injection computer can only adjust so far before the parameters swing beyond the spec of the programming, and the ECU either turns on the check engine light, goes into limp home mode, or both, and the performance of the car is drastically affected. The effect of a clogged air filter over time, therefore, cannot be “negligible” as the article states. They also forgot to allow for non-electronic cars that are incapable of making such adjustments.

I also agree with a previous commenter: surely if it were not important, the manufacturer would not recommend that certain routine maintenance (like air filters) be done, as they have no interest in providing what amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars of unnecessary free parts to customers under the car’s original warranty.

Hmm.

]]> By: Jes http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-119144 Jes Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:36:35 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-119144 If I may add another tip - in line with the A/C tip. You may not realize that in the winter, your Defroster is actually using the A/C. This is very good for clearing fogged windows, but once your car is toasty warm, switch it to front or floor vents. Most cars have 2 settings - full defrost, and split defrost/floor, both of which will activate the A/C. But front and/or floor vents only do not. So run your defroster long enough to clear the windows and warm the car, then switch to just vents and save some gas! If I may add another tip – in line with the A/C tip. You may not realize that in the winter, your Defroster is actually using the A/C. This is very good for clearing fogged windows, but once your car is toasty warm, switch it to front or floor vents. Most cars have 2 settings – full defrost, and split defrost/floor, both of which will activate the A/C. But front and/or floor vents only do not. So run your defroster long enough to clear the windows and warm the car, then switch to just vents and save some gas!

]]> By: skmarshall http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-115788 skmarshall Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:47:09 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-115788 I track my mileage very carefully, and i find that the factor that makes the biggest difference in my car is rate of acceleration. When I drive my commute at non-rush hours and don't have other motorists behind me on the "city streets" portion of the drive, i use barely any pressure on the accelerator and upshift below 2000 rpm (on level ground). When I'm able to do that consistently, my mileage (in a Saturn LS2, 1.9 liter 5-speed) improves from low 30s to 40+ mpg... I track my mileage very carefully, and i find that the factor that makes the biggest difference in my car is rate of acceleration. When I drive my commute at non-rush hours and don’t have other motorists behind me on the “city streets” portion of the drive, i use barely any pressure on the accelerator and upshift below 2000 rpm (on level ground). When I’m able to do that consistently, my mileage (in a Saturn LS2, 1.9 liter 5-speed) improves from low 30s to 40+ mpg…

]]> By: steve http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-111992 steve Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:28:14 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-111992 I'm tired of hearing this crap about driving between a certain speed or whatever. Your goal here is to keep your RPM's low, under 2000. The less revolutions per minute the less gas is used. I’m tired of hearing this crap about driving between a certain speed or whatever. Your goal here is to keep your RPM’s low, under 2000. The less revolutions per minute the less gas is used.

]]> By: Lazy Man http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-107606 Lazy Man Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:58:56 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-107606 That's the beauty of a blog. It's not formal writing that requires proofreading. It's about getting an idea out there quickly. I'm just one person with one set of eyes and a budget a lot less than traditional media. That’s the beauty of a blog. It’s not formal writing that requires proofreading. It’s about getting an idea out there quickly.

I’m just one person with one set of eyes and a budget a lot less than traditional media.

]]> By: hoca http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-107605 hoca Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:51:46 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-107605 You would do well to proofread your "blog" before you publish it to avoid simple spelling and grammar mistakes. You would do well to proofread your “blog” before you publish it to avoid simple spelling and grammar mistakes.

]]> By: Tim http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-100143 Tim Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:44:16 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-100143 From a maintenance standpoint: Don't ignore a 'check engine' or 'service engine soon' message or MIL, Malfunction Indicator Light even tho the vehicle may seem to be running ok. It could mean almost anything from serious to trivial and can be costly to just diagnose. However, if the computer has flagged a certain sensor as 'bad' and has turned on the MIL, commonly fuel management system goes into 'limp or safe mode' and basically runs the engine within certain narrow, factory-set parameters until you can get it fixed. All those other fancy, expensive, EPA mandated sensors that also give input to the brain box are ignored and your fuel economy (surprise) gets better! Or completely tanks. I've seen both scenarios mostly with Hondas. But the newer ('95 and up) cars always get worse. Shop around for a dealer/shop that will wave the diagnostic fee if you fix the problem. If you don't ask, guess what. Anywho...Opt in for the yearly wheel alignment, air up your tires, etc., and unless the air filter is really obstructed, the difference is minimal. Oh, and stay of your damn brakes and stop driving like an ass! You should be ashamed. 8) From a maintenance standpoint:
Don’t ignore a ‘check engine’ or ’service engine soon’ message or MIL, Malfunction Indicator Light even tho the vehicle may seem to be running ok. It could mean almost anything from serious to trivial and can be costly to just diagnose. However, if the computer has flagged a certain sensor as ‘bad’ and has turned on the MIL, commonly fuel management system goes into ‘limp or safe mode’ and basically runs the engine within certain narrow, factory-set parameters until you can get it fixed. All those other fancy, expensive, EPA mandated sensors that also give input to the brain box are ignored and your fuel economy (surprise) gets better! Or completely tanks. I’ve seen both scenarios mostly with Hondas. But the newer (’95 and up) cars always get worse.
Shop around for a dealer/shop that will wave the diagnostic fee if you fix the problem. If you don’t ask, guess what. Anywho…Opt in for the yearly wheel alignment, air up your tires, etc., and unless the air filter is really obstructed, the difference is minimal.
Oh, and stay of your damn brakes and stop driving like an ass! You should be ashamed. 8)

]]> By: Victor http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-95021 Victor Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:06:46 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-95021 @Robert - agreed on all counts. Prius, schmius. Get a bike! If you HAVE to drive, follow the tips above. By the way, I've gotten over 800km (about 42 mpg) to a single tank of gas in my 2001 Civic DX by following a series of trucks on the highway. Yes it's dangerous, and illegal if you're too close, but the mileage improvement is incredible if you are 1 vehicle length behind or less. @Robert – agreed on all counts.

Prius, schmius. Get a bike! If you HAVE to drive, follow the tips above.

By the way, I’ve gotten over 800km (about 42 mpg) to a single tank of gas in my 2001 Civic DX by following a series of trucks on the highway. Yes it’s dangerous, and illegal if you’re too close, but the mileage improvement is incredible if you are 1 vehicle length behind or less.

]]> By: robert saint amour http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-94945 robert saint amour Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:31:45 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-94945 as a mechanic, some of this is nonsense, losing weight before challenging traffic has a lot of health benefits but about as much effect on mileage as a rock thrown in the ocean has on the tide across the sea as for running cars on used vegetable oil, the entire valley of 50,000+ people where i live on vancouver island would provide enough used oil to run at best fifty vehicles, using ethanol is even stupider, using food stuffs to power hummers is ridiculous..... hybrids are expensive, rarely exceed their equivalents and nobody is considering the price of replacing the batteries, which is huge my advice to americans would be to drive less, use smaller cars and stop using precious resources invading other countries as a mechanic, some of this is nonsense,
losing weight before challenging traffic has a lot of health benefits but about as much effect on mileage as a rock thrown in the ocean has on the tide across the sea
as for running cars on used vegetable oil, the entire valley of 50,000+ people where i live on vancouver island would provide enough used oil to run at best fifty vehicles, using ethanol is even stupider, using food stuffs to power hummers is ridiculous…..
hybrids are expensive, rarely exceed their equivalents and nobody is considering the price of replacing the batteries, which is huge
my advice to americans would be to drive less, use smaller cars and stop using precious resources invading other countries

]]> By: Jeff http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-94491 Jeff Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:21:19 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-94491 I recommend www.fuelfrog.com for gas mileage tracking. I recommend http://www.fuelfrog.com for gas mileage tracking.

]]> By: Lazy Man http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-94265 Lazy Man Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:39:58 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-94265 Then I please ask you to write the writers that I sourced and pursue them. Consumer Reports said they tested it and they don't seem to be the kind of organization that would debunk the common wisdom without good cause. Then I please ask you to write the writers that I sourced and pursue them. Consumer Reports said they tested it and they don’t seem to be the kind of organization that would debunk the common wisdom without good cause.

]]> By: shawn http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-94263 shawn Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:15:26 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-94263 um i do know that for a fact if you dont have a clean air filter your car will not only lag when being drivin but it will not do well on gas either um i do know that for a fact if you dont have a clean air filter your car will not only lag when being drivin but it will not do well on gas either

]]> By: Lazy Man http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-94242 Lazy Man Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:59:32 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-94242 Old Shakey, I quote two sources that I consider reliable on the air filter front - Money Magazine and Consumer Reports. If you have a problem, I would suggest e-mailing their authors and disputing their studies. Old Shakey, I quote two sources that I consider reliable on the air filter front – Money Magazine and Consumer Reports. If you have a problem, I would suggest e-mailing their authors and disputing their studies.

]]> By: old shakey http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-94210 old shakey Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:19:47 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-94210 As a retired mechanic of over 45 years experience I must say your advice is mostly very good. However I have to disagree with you about air filters. My experience is that a dirty air filter will rob you of gas mileage. Regular oil changes are also important. Dirty oil contains sludge and particles that increase friction in the engine and requires more power to run. This is also true of transmissions and differentials, both manual and automatic. READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL!!! They put it in the car for a reason. Last point: I don't trust anything I see in Consumer Reports. They have been very wrong on too many things. Air filters is just one of the minor ones. As a retired mechanic of over 45 years experience I must say your advice is mostly very good. However I have to disagree with you about air filters. My experience is that a dirty air filter will rob you of gas mileage. Regular oil changes are also important. Dirty oil contains sludge and particles that increase friction in the engine and requires more power to run. This is also true of transmissions and differentials, both manual and automatic.
READ YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL!!! They put it in the car for a reason.
Last point: I don’t trust anything I see in Consumer Reports. They have been very wrong on too many things. Air filters is just one of the minor ones.

]]> By: Rob http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-93837 Rob Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:04:21 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-93837 LazyMan: Awesome list. Even though all these things you listed DO add up, I am convinced that the change needs to be deeper than that: behaviorally and socially, we seem to be a civilization of waste and endless entertainment. Check our our article on ways to save this summer that compliments your article very well. http://blog.lendingclub.com/2008/07/10/21-nearly-painless-tips-on-how-to-save-money-today/ LazyMan:

Awesome list.

Even though all these things you listed DO add up, I am convinced that the change needs to be deeper than that: behaviorally and socially, we seem to be a civilization of waste and endless entertainment.

Check our our article on ways to save this summer that compliments your article very well.

http://blog.lendingclub.com/2008/07/10/21-nearly-painless-tips-on-how-to-save-money-today/

]]> By: Blueprint for Financial Prosperity http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-93833 Blueprint for Financial Prosperity Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:43:03 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-93833 Tip #1 is crucial, one of the essential cornerstones of hypermiling is reduce braking as much as possible. Tip #1 is crucial, one of the essential cornerstones of hypermiling is reduce braking as much as possible.

]]> By: China Business Watch http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-93710 China Business Watch Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:22:17 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-93710 Great stuff! Most that I have never used before. Thanks, I plan on sharing this with my friends. Great stuff! Most that I have never used before. Thanks, I plan on sharing this with my friends.

]]> By: Brad http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-93698 Brad Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:00:25 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/how-to-save-on-gas-35-tips/#comment-93698 Great post ... I've started trying to lay off the brakes and make coasting a habit. Every now and then I forget to pay attention but for the most part I'm doing pretty well and my last half tank (I don't let it get below that ever) got an extra 40 miles more than what I usually get (240 vs. 200). Great post … I’ve started trying to lay off the brakes and make coasting a habit. Every now and then I forget to pay attention but for the most part I’m doing pretty well and my last half tank (I don’t let it get below that ever) got an extra 40 miles more than what I usually get (240 vs. 200).

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