Optimum Gas mileage?? Need tips/tricks!!

Question

I have to make an 8 hour drive (round trip) Next Sunday (Aug 10)

The internet said my car gets 28 MPG highway, but I used 27 mpg to estimate fuel costs.

I imagine I'll be driving highway mostly,

But any other tips?? I really need to be as economical as possible, so any tips to make my car get the most gas mileage it's capeable of, would be very very helpful!!

Like.. should I use cruise control, or NOT...

Thanks!

Answer 1

1) Fill your gas tank up in the morning when outside temperatures are cooler, you actually get more fuel in your tank that way than if you fill up when it hot & humid.

2) Don't use the gas lock when pumping, that infuses more air into the tank.  You can get up to two extra gallons by holding the pump instead of using the lock.

Answer 2

Cruise  control is a must...it keeps you at a constant speed which helps gas mileage.  go the speed limit, nothing over...you would be suprised how much it saves.  and easy braking and slow take off's.  when on the highway if its to hot, AC is better than windows down because of the drag.  

Answer 3

Use the cruise control wherever possible...most importantly, keep speeds down to the minimum...the faster you go above 40 MPH, the more energy is required to push the car because of wind drag and rolling resistance. At freeway speeds, windows closed and A/C on is better for mileage. Check tire pressures and air filter before the trip. Check out some hypermiling sites for tips that others use to maximize mileage.

Answer 4

There are some extreme tactic's you can do to double your mpg called Hypermilling.

How to: Hypermiling Tips

Perfecting hypermiling requires some dedication, but the basic principles are easy to learn for all drivers: "pumping up tires to the maximum rating on their sidewalls, which may be higher than levels recommended in car manuals [to reduce rolling resistance]; using engine oil of a low viscosity, and the controversial practice of drafting behind other vehicles on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag -- a practice begun a few years ago by truck drivers; keeping speed down, accelerating gently, avoiding excessive idling and removing cargo racks to also cut down on aerodynamic drag." Avoiding unnecessary braking and coasting to slow down.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/05/...

I do some "basic" hypermilling tactics and I do get a couple more mpg out of it but it takes alot of work if you want to double your mpg.  

Answer 5

1. air filter - get a new one, or at least smack it against the concrete to loosen up all the dirt. k&n air filter will improve gas mileage!

2. tire pressure - 32psi is good.

3. oil change - if it's time for it, do it before you take your trip

full synthetic improves performance!

4. loose the weight - remove items that you know you dont need.

5. yes, use the cruise control - it does help.

6. iridium spark plugs improves performance and improves gas mileage

Answer 6

Yes, use cruise control on the highway. In most cars built in the last ten years, your smoothest travel is with cruise. Stay close to the posted speed limit and in the right lane (do not be a left lane hog, you just wind up ticking other drivers off). When you gas up check your tire pressure to see if it is within spec. No need to get a tuneup as the benefits of this are countered by the cost. Get a tuneup for the long run, not for this trip.

Things NOT to do (and this will tick off those hypermiler geeks). Do not "ridge ride" (driving with the right wheel on the right lane stripe). Do not tailgate 18 wheelers (they can't see you and you can't see around them). Do NOT under any circumstances turn off your ignition to coast down hills. Do not shift into neutral either. The first removes power from your power steering pump, brakes, and could lock your steering wheel. Shifting into neutral, if your car is an automatic, while moving forward COULD possibly shift the transmission into reverse (if you hit a bump or pothole). Hello $2000 repair bill. Do not overinflate your tires.

Other things not to do: Do not hit an exit ramp at high speed and coast up to a stop. Do not "mainline" when going uphill (keeping constant pressure on the gas pedal when going up hill as when riding flat) because depending on the grade of hill you can slow down to a dangerously low speed.

Drive sensibly and keep close to the posted limit and you should be fine.

I usually drive 75 with the cruise on and average 29mpg in an Altima.

Answer 7

Use cruise control when you're on the open road (that is, not driving through a city or town and there's hardly any other cars on the road).

Don't speed.

Try to leave enough distance when you're following someone that if you need to give them more space, you can just back off the gas a little instead of slamming on the brakes.

Get your car checked out at a shop and make sure your oil is changed, tires aired up, filters and brakes all OK, tranny fluid OK, spark plugs OK, etc.  If the shop has anything like a "27-point safety check" go ahead and have them do it.  The same things that they look for on a safety check will also help with the gas mileage.  This is stuff you should be doing on a regular basis anyway, but if it's been a while, go ahead and get your car into a shop and get these taken care of.