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Some of the concepts you'll find in this list are just common sense. Others will surprise you as they did us. We did find some common sense ideas that weren't included at either Edmunds or the Department of Energy, so we've included some of those also.
Stay Away From This
One of the fuel saving tips we found during our research was a new way of driving called Hypermiling. If you haven't seen news stories about it yet, you will in the next few months. Hypermiling is the practice of extreme modifications to driving habits in order to increase fuel consumption. The problem with the practice is that it puts the Hypermilers life and others at risk. Many of the techniques used are not only dangerous, but unlawful. They include speeding down hills to gain momentum going up the next hill, coasting through red lights and stop signs rather than stopping and periodically shifting into neutral to save gas among others.We don't condone that type of driving and don't feel you should either.
The problem you should be aware of is that Hypermiling is quickly becoming a fad. A significant number of people are now doing it which places you and your drivers at risk everytime you get behind the wheel. Unfortunately in addition to higher fuel prices you have to be much more diligent in defensive driving techniques and driver safety than you ever had in the past.
And This Too
Also, be skeptical of claims for devices that will “boost your mileage by an extra 6 miles per gallon”, “improve your fuel economy up to 26 percent,” or the like. The EPA has tested over 100 supposed gas-saving devices — including mixture “enhancers” and fuel line magnets — and found that very few provide any fuel economy benefits. The devices that work provide only marginal improvements. Some “gas-saving” devices may damage a car’s engine or increase exhaust emissions. For a full list of tested products as well as some other useful information, check www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer.htm.
If we were able to accumulate factual data from multiple sources on the amount of fuel that can be saved, we note that amount which is usually shown as a percentage improvement of your current MPG. If a figure is not shown, it doesn't mean that the data is not factual, but that more than a single authoritative source could not be found, or that no data exists for that cost savings concept. Following EPA guidelines, we translated the fuel savings into what the percentage means in terms of cost per gallon of gas. We then calculated the potential savings on an annualized basis. Keep in mind that the numbers are relative and subjective. They're meant to give you an indication as to where you can get the biggest bang for the buck in cutting back on fuel costs.
Click on a link to see the fuel saving tips: At The Garage | At The Pump | Driving Habits | On The Road
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