Improving a car's fuel consumption?

Question

I was reading an article on Moneysavingexpert.com about how to save money on fuel and improve fuel economy. It advised to remove items that add drag to a car. What does that mean?

Answer 1

It is amazing how driving slower, less fierce braking and staying in a higher gear than normal improves MPG. I have an Audi TT 2.0 and have improved my consumption to around 40 mpg by exercising care. Whether I will be able to continue with this frugal way of driving, I do not know.

Answer 2

Don't use your trunk as an extra storage space for golf clubs and such.  Get rid of the racks on top of your car, if you don't need them.  Things like that.

Answer 3

the biggest thing you can do is your driving style, you get twice the mileage slowing down and triple going down hill, so the sooner you let off the gas the better you will do.  anticipate stop signs and lights, left off the gas as soon as you can..

it really helps if you have a car with a mileage computer so you can watch it...

Answer 4

Anything in your trunk, any accessories not needed. If you are looking to save money on gas, try using octane booster or fuel injector cleaner. Also, make sure your tire pressure is good!

Answer 5

Roof racks add drag to a car, Basically it has more resistance when it moves along. also driving fast with open windows creates drag. If you want to be really fussy then polish your car as this will reduce the drag. Another way to save fuel is to drive economically ie not rev the engine too high and keep to a constant 55 - 60 mph (obviously slowing down for corners)

Answer 6

by slowing from 65 to 55 my car gets 4-4.5 better mpg.

Answer 7

Roof boxes,Racks,Bars.

Answer 8

The most common items are roof boxes and racks.  If they are not being used they should be removed as they create more drag on the vehicle, therefore using more fuel.  You should also look at removing heavy items from the boot if they are not required.  

Another quick way to improve fuel economy is to ensure you keep your tyres at the correct pressure (normally in the vehicle owners manual).  Hope this helps!

Answer 9

the best way to improve the gas consumption on a car is to change the air filter twice a month. Also to make sure that your tires are filled with air. Having a clean filter allows the engine to receive more air.

Answer 10

Dont have a lot of thinkgs in your trunk that are not necessary and try not to use the AC

Answer 11

drag is anything which affects the airflow over and around  your car. for example even a wing mirror has drag.

  If you imagine putting you hand out of a car window at say 40 mph you will feel lots of air pressure on  your hand .at 70 it will be even stronger, this is 'drag'.

  removing this  resistance means your car will be able to  move through the air easier so use less fuel to push it.

  hence anything which  protrudes  form a car will have a drag factor.

roof bars or rack has significant  resistance.

Ariel's too cause Resistance and is why on modern cars you never see them now as all are built into the car.

  is there anything sticking out or producing form your car which you don't use or need?

  a greater effect on fuel economy can be  driving sensibly.

for example no heavy acceleration or hard braking  can save up to 10% or more of fuel usage.

being atthe right speed  and in teh right gear helps. keep  top speed around 50-55 mph will mean its running at about its best  effiiciency for speed and weight over time. ( best economy ) try and anticipate light changes ,roundabouts etc so f possible you can keep the car rolling in gear wiothout stopping and using more  fuel to get up a speed again. you can even fit a vacuum device on petrol cars which is marked for fuel economy showing which  zoen oyu are using. it simply works by goinghigher from green through yellow to red as oyu use more throttle. so in effect teh less throttle  you us eteh more fuel you save. good luck.