Getting better gas mileage - but why?

Question

I drive a 2008 Tacoma that gets 19 MPG streets and 25 MPG highway.

About a month ago, I was using up half a tank per week driving to and from work, plus routine extra-curricular driving.

For the last two or three weeks, somehow, some way, I have nearly doubled my gas mileage. Just today, I had to fill up between 1/4 and 3/8 of my tank. I'm sort of baffled.

Possible reasons:

* I am driving probably 15 less miles per week by taking a different route to work. But I don't think this completely explains it.

* Perhaps the difference in MPG between streets and highway isn't as pronounced as the Toyota claims.

* I am trying to keep acceleration to a minimum. I use gravity as much as I can. If I see a red light in the distance, I take my foot off the gas and roll until I have to stop.

* I am not using the A/C anymore now that it has cooled off.

* (probably silly) When I fill up, I pull the lever on the pump just hard enough to make the gas flow. I heard somewhere that you get more gas this way, but this is probably a rumor.

My question, then, is why is my gas mileage better? Which of the above reasons is likely the biggest gas-saver?

Answer 1

Every single one of those possible reasons is why. my dad has a has a 1994 chevy silverado completely stock except for a K&N filter, who drives 55 mph even when the speed limit is 70, and he also does everything else that you stated. Basically what I'm trying to say is that he gets 18.5 mpgs compared to my friends 93 who gets around 15

i've also herd that about the gas pump and i also do it.

Answer 2

The only thing I can see that is different is the way you fill your tank. What people don't realize is when you fill up if you squeeze as hard as you can your tank will foam up thus giving you less gas in your tank. If you fill up and barely squeeze the nozzle to the first notch then you get less foam in the tank and you will get more gas. Also fill up in the morning if you can because you will get less sediment in your fuel. Never fill up if there is a fuel truck there.

Answer 3

Are you basing your increased mileage on where the fuel gauge needle is or are you measuring the amount of fuel used versus the mileage driven?

The fuel tank gauge is only a rough idea of how much fuel you have remaining ( this is a general statement for most makes and models, I'm not stating this for your truck specifically ).  To get a much more accurate fuel mileage average, you should fill your tank each time and reset your tripometre each time as well and record your mileage and fuel use.  After about 5 tanks or so, you can start to get a better picture of your actual fuel mileage.

Getting back on track, each of those points you mentioned does help with increased fuel mileage ( especially the lack of a/c and both gentle acceleration and coasting to a stop ).

Answer 4

Gas mileage is multi-faceted. AC is a big gas guzzler! You are saving there. Also, shaving the distance out won't affect your mpg (it will use less, but you're going less...) but if you are taking an alternate route that has less stops and starts, less congestion and is at a slower or more constant speed/less hills etc., then you will be doing better there, also. Have you put air in your tires? Proper air inflation will also allow for better fuel economy! Keep your foot out of the pedal, keep the AC off, don't tow and haul heavy loads, and keep the tailgate UP! Urban legend says that down gets the best mpg, but MYTH BUSTERS (tv show) disputed and disproved that theory. The tailgates were engineered to be up for the air circulation and with the tailgate down it will actually cause your mpg to go down, not up.  

Answer 5

I heard if you are taking the highway and driving between 55-60 you are actually preserving your gasoline and you'll have more.  If your new route is "side streets" you are braking more frequently and going up and down on the rpm, and thus using more gas.

I get 35 mpg.  KIA!!