30 Gas Saving Tips....

[KimberlySky]

HEY JUST THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE THIS... SOMEONE SENT IT TO ME THIS AM.... MOST OF IT IS ALREADY COMMON SENSE. I PERSONALLY CAN'T COMPLAIN BECAUSE BOTH OF MY PERSONAL CARS WHEN I BOUGHT THEM I KNEW ONLY COULD TAKE THE 93 SO OH WELL & I BOUGHT BOTH CARS TO DRIVE THE HECK OUT OF THEM!!!!



The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.

ENGINE WARM-UP
1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.

3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

4. Avoid "revving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.

5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

HOW TO BUY GASOLINE
6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".

7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.

8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY
9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph gives you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.

13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

15. Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.

GENERAL ADVICE
16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.

17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.

20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.

21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals.

Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.

23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round.

When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire pressures.

26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body.

Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).

27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated!

Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.

EXTRA TIPS
Install pressure regulator valve (sold in auto parts stores)... Use graphite motor oil... Beware of oil additives, regardless of advertising claims... Add Marvel Mystery Oil into gas fill-ups... Investigate fuel/water injection methods and products... combine short errands into one trip... Use special gas additives to prevent winter freezing of gas lines!

[MRSSKY]

Thanks sweetie!!!...good advice.

m.

[compdoc777]

Man artical that is ancient.

Who has a carb anymore? Choke? LOL!

This may have been true to cars made about 20-30 years ago.

Now we have Fuel Injection, lighter cars and better wind resistance.

Get caught doing 55 on the highways today prepare to be run off the road by an 18 wheeler given you the deuce!

I can supercruise at 80 in my RSX with the Supacharger and get 35 mpg in 6th and that is a modified car making 330 HP or crank HP 650 cc Injectors stock is 270 cc.

[RedSkyMan]

You just took all the fun out of driving a Sky.

[german gt]

KimberlySky is that you in your Avatar?

My personel advice: sell your Sky, use a bike...

...and you can save gallons of gas....

[KimberlySky]

Yes that is me and where's your picture hiding are we?

I was posting the info about the gas because so many people have been complaining and asking on how to save... I on the other hand don't care how much it costs to drive either one of my cars I knew with both of them it would be the 93 and the price of fuel was never a concern of mine.

[ChiliSky]

Originally Posted by german gt

KimberlySky is that you in your Avatar?

My personel advice: sell your Sky, use a bike...

...and you can save gallons of gas....

I guess you did not know, but Kimberly uses a bike all the time,,, how do you think she has such a great body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT that is a great idea, we should all use other transportation sometimes, or car pool. Save our Sky gas for all the SKY/SOL fun weekend trips......
Great idea German gt.......

[Bogie]

5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

I live for jack-rabbit starts.

9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

The wind resistance at 40 mph is nothing compared to the irresistible urge in my brain that constantly says...go faster..go faster

13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

I actually do this....with the top down.

17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

....to which they can add....because dirt and gravel ruin your finish.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas.

corner and curves....are fun.

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.

And why would I want a green light? See 5 above.

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit.

Kidding aside, this is wrong...and could be dangerous.

28. Remove excess weight from trunk

And they forgot the one about "drafting. If you get real close to the car in front, you can reduce your wind resistance to almost nothing and provide symbiotic support to the car in front.

[Lil GTO]

Some of those are unavoidable - if you live down a bumpy dirt road you really have no choice.

and some don't seem right to me - something that is considered common sense

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round.
ay be a common mis-preception.

Bogie I think that one meant the maximum recommended inflation on the side of the tire - 32 psi for example - but what i have heard/read is to folllow car makers recommendation - and sometimes different front to back.

3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

i doubt that one can be true for all vehicles in all conditions

6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".

Bogie can you whip up a calculation on the specific heat of gasoline and determine how long it takes a large underground tank of liquid to be affected to any significant degree by the ambient air temperature above ground?

9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

can you leagally drive 40 mph on the highway? and what about the extra time it takes you to get where you need to be at that speed? 3 hours at 80 vs 6 hours at 40 may save some gas but what other effects does it have on the wear of the parts and your productivity?

10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph gives you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

60 and 65 and even 70 are legal in some places - does that mean gas burns more effectively in those places?

11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

This one I can attest to personally - last year I drove a rental car a long distance and the same distance in return - on the way there I did not realize that the auto tranny was in 3rd gear the whole way - made sure that it was in 4th on the return trip - burned the full 20 gallon tank of gas to get there and only about 11 gallons to get back

16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.

Really? there is no play at all between foot off the brake or clutch pedals and the slightest of pressure either partially applying the brakes or partially disengaging the clutch? and what about the need to react quickly to all the dorfusses on the road?

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.

not where I live - I would think they time each light to minimize the amount of time traffic spends at that light total for all directions. when i drove to work every day I had a series of lights near my house timed almost perfectly - and they generally involved a combination of driving at - a bit below - and slightly over the posted limit to clear all of them.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

I do choose routes whre I can avoid stopping on a hill - and excessive left turns (unless there is a left turn arrow)

21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

that just seems silly - does reverse for a few seconds really use that much gas and don't you have to spend extra time manouvering to get into that position? I back in when possible just for safety and visibility etc so that when I pull out I can see where I am going more easily and do not have to pull out - stop - change direction - then go

When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels.

doesn't that just throw off your speedo - making you think you get better mpg? or maybe the idea is the engine has to put out the same amount of work per revolution of the wheel/tire and a larger diameter covers more distance per rev - but what about the geometry and drag and wear etc etc

26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body.

better remove the dimples from golf balls too so they can fly farther. Bogie can expound on this I am sure

28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

what about the extra time it takes to circle around and pick up all that stuff after you are done with the incline?

Install pressure regulator valve (sold in auto parts stores)...

uh, where, exaclty? maybe if you have an annoying back seat driver or suffer from road rage?

Investigate fuel/water injection methods and products

huh?

[gadget]

Where did this come from Opra Winfrey?

Most newer fuel injected vehicles get the best gas mileage @ around 70mph

Avoid backing up to save gas? Well only if you normally drive in reverse for several miles at a time.

Drive at the speed limit to hit the lights green? In Denver YA RIGHT!Try 5 to 10mph over the speed limit.

Hosing a car down with water when it's freezing around here to remove ice will get you a car shaped ice cube!

Remove excess weight. In a Saturn Sky? Someone does need to drive the car! I might entertain removing the passenger seat but thats going to make it hard to carpool.

[KimberlySky]

I died laughing when I actually read them.... someone actually sent it out as a HUGE forward to a ton of people!

[JohnD]

1. Put rocks in your gas tank. The volume will be filled up by inert material, thus requiring less gas every time you fill up!
2. Never talk in your car while in motion while facing forward. The wind resistance of the airflow coming out of your mouth will reduce fuel efficiency. Always talk with you head facing slightly to the rear - or at a minimum facing to the side!
3. Never carry uneaten food home from a restaurant in your car. The "Doggie Bag" adds weight and reduces fuel efficiency. Always eat ALL your food before getting in the car so that you don't carry the extra weight of take-out containers!
4. Don't stop for red lights or stop signs if there is no opposing traffic. Sitting at idle wastes precious fuel. If the coast is clear, go!
5. Remove your tires. The soft structure of the rubber provides resistance and reduces fuel efficiency. Running on the hard rims eliminates this gas guzzler!
6. Adjust the "fade" setting on your stereo so only the front speakers play and the rear speakers are silent. Front speakers face to the rear, so the vibrations push the car forward; rear speakers face to the front and so the sound waves actually slow you down and reduce fuel efficiency!
7. Cover the entire underside of your car in duct tape. Professional high-performance engineers know that a smooth underbody can reduce drag significantly - and yet most consumer cars have countless nooks and crannies on the underside. By smoothing all of these out with duct tape the airflow underneath the car will be much more efficient!
8. Always drive with the internal fan blowing at a maximum speed out of the dashboard vents. This extra thrust will help to provide a small but measurable forward force and thus improve your gas mileage!
9. Never use turn signals. They require electricity, which places additional strain on the alternator to provide that electricity and can rob horsepower and burn unnecessary fuel. If possible, disconnect your brake lights, too!
10. And finally, be festive! Get a collection of helium balloons and tie them to your rear view mirror as you drive. This upward lift will reduce the weight of your car and thus improve fuel efficiency. For an added bonus, inflate your tires with helium, too!

I am so smart, sometimes I even impress myself!

[KimberlySky]

OMG LOL HA HA HA HA HA HA HA YES!!!!!!!!!!!

[MRSSKY]

;;;;;;;;;;;;;love it

m.

[ChiliSky]