Myths And Truths To Fuel Efficiency
The price of gasoline has increased more than 70 cents in the last year alone. Listed below are the most important myths and truths to saving gas and money.
5 Gas Saving Myths
Keep your windows up and AC off to avoid drag
It’s been said that rolling your windows down creates an aerodynamic drag on your vehicle and reduces fuel efficiency, as well as air conditioning draining your fuel tank. Both of these ideas are myths, and have little effect on your gas tank. According to a study done by Consumer Reports, using the AC reduced efficiency by less than 1 mile a gallon and having the windows down made even less of a difference.
It’s better to let your car idle than to restart the engine
If you are going to be idling for a minute or more, it’s much more cost effective to turn your engine off – since most vehicles these days have fuel injection systems. Ftc.gov says by avoiding excessive idling you can save up to 19 percent, as well as cutting down on pollution.
Visit the pump before your tank reaches the halfway point
The theory behind filling up your tank when it’s more than half full is it decreases the amount of vapors in the tank which will eventually escape. NBC debunked this myth, stating “Your gas tank has a very tight fitting cap, it’s a locking cap and it creates a vacuum in your tank and your system, it doesn’t really allow air to circulate inside of your tank.”
Fill up in the morning when the temperature is coolest
It’s believed that if you fill up in the morning when gas is cooler, you’ll get more gasoline for what you pay for. Even though gas tanks are stored underground, it does not change the density of the gasoline. MSNBC states the amount of gas going into your tank will remain the same regardless of the temperature. It’s a better bet to pay closer attention to the gas prices than the temperature.
Purchase the most expensive type of gas and you will get more miles to the gallon
The level of octane does not play any role in your car’s fuel efficiency. Some older cars and those with high-revving engines do need higher octane gas, but most cars these days don’t. Buy the least expensive gas according to your owners manual, since you’ll just be wasting your money if you buy it. ABC News says all gas, brand name and no name, comes from the same refineries so don’t pay attention to the brand either.
5 Gas Saving Truths
Keep the extra weight out of your car
By keeping your trunk clean and removing heavy items, the Department of Energy estimates you can save 3 to 6 cents a gallon. If you are thinking of putting heavy pieces on your trunk, you are better off placing them inside your car or even in your trunk, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Doing so will help to reduce the drag the extra weight causes.
Turn cruise control on while driving
If you are commuting often one of the easiest ways to save on gasoline is to use cruise control, says the Daily Green. Not only does the constant speeding and slowing save gas, but it also helps to prolong the life of your brakes.
Don’t keep your car out in the sun
Park your vehicle under a tree or building and consider a windshield shade to block out the heat. Energy-Efficient Economy research associate says that by letting your vehicle sit in the sun, there is an increase of evaporative emissions than if you are to park in the cool shade.
Don’t top your gas tank off when filling up.
The EPA gives several reasons for not topping off your gas tank at the pump. One reason is you end up paying for gasoline that is most likely fed back into the station’s tank because yours is full. Another reason is your tank needs room to allow the gas to expand, and the extra gas will most likely just evaporate into the vehicle’s vapor collection system.
Keep the ice and snow off your car
Planetgreen.com suggests scraping your entire car off on those winter mornings, not just your windshield. The extra snow and ice can easily add up in weight and reduce your fuel efficiency. Keep your entire car scraped off, and you won’t have to worry about decreasing your fuel efficiency.
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