What are at least 7 ways, tips or things I can do to get more miles
per gallon from my car and save money on gasoline prices?

Hello, iamreallybusy-ga! 


Some excellent tips can be found on the FuelEconomy.gov website. See
the site for Data Source information.


See "Driving More Efficiently." 
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml  


1. Drive Sensibly
==================
"Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes
gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and
by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and
others, so you may save more than gas money.

Fuel Economy Benefit: 5-33% 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.13-$0.88/gallon 
 

2. Observe the Speed Limit 
===========================
"While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different
speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at
speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5
mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.19 per
gallon for gas."

Fuel Economy Benefit: 7-23% 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.19-$0.62/gallon 
 

3. Remove Excess Weight
========================
"An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to
2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative
to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger
ones."

Fuel Economy Benefit: 1-2%/100 lbs 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.03-$0.05/gallon 
 

4. Avoid Excessive Idling
==========================

"Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically
waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines."

 
5. Use Cruise Control
======================

"Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant
speed and, in most cases, will save gas."


6. Use Overdrive Gears 
=======================

"When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down.
This saves gas and reduces engine wear."



Also See "Keeping Your Car in Shape."
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml


7. Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
===================================
 
"Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an
emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent,
though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is
done."

Fuel Economy Benefit: 4% 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.11/gallon 
 

8. Check & Replace Air Filters Regularly 
=========================================

"Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by
as much as 10 percent."

Fuel Economy Benefit: up to 10% 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: up to $0.27/gallon 
 

9. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
=================================

"You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping
your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can
lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of
all four tires."
 
Fuel Economy Benefit: up to 3% 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: up to $0.08/gallon 


10. Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
=============================================
 
"You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the
manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil...."

Fuel Economy Benefit: 1-2% 
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.03-$0.05/gallon 

 

Additional Resources
=====================

"Get Better Gas Mileage." CBC News Online, May 21, 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/consumertips/gasmilage.html


"Choosing a More Efficient Vehicle." 
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/choosing.shtml 

 
"Good, Better, Best: How to Improve Gas Mileage." 
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/fuelalrt.htm


See the eHow site - User rate the tips - agree or disagree
http://www.ehow.com/how_2629_increase-gas-mileage.html
http://www.ehow.com/tips_2629.html


Thirty Gas Saving Tips," by Ernest Miles
http://www.howtoadvice.com/savinggas


A number of good article links can be found on the Car Junky website:

Driving Economically : Gas Mileage 
http://news.carjunky.com/gas_mileage.shtml


==


I hope these help!

Sincerely,

umiat


Search Strategy
tips for better gasoline mileage

1) Use the brakes less... Every time you touch the brakes, you are
wasting momentum that you gained by wasting gas (and you're also
wearing out your brakes)

This sounds overly simple sometimes or impossible others, but it is a
simple matter of strategic driving.  Don't tailgate, let off the gas
early before sharp turns, let off the gas in plenty of time before
stoplights (if you think it will be red as you approach it)... use
common sense while driving to avoid wasting brakes (and gas).

2) Don't accellerate quickly.  A slower gradual accelleration uses
less gas to go the same distance.

3) Use regular grade gas.  Most cars actually perform better on the
lower grade of gas than the higher grades.  They are designed this
way.  Unless your car manual specifically says to use plus or premium
gas, then use regular for best performance.

4) Sell your gas guzzler and buy a car that gets 35+ mpg.  By far the
biggest factor in your miles per gallon is the type of car you are
driving.  Everything else you do will only change your gas mileage by
10% or so.

5) Drive a manual car rather than automatic.  Better mileage, cheaper
maintenance, cheaper purchase price, more control, more power... all
around a better deal.

6) Maintain proper tire pressure.  

7) Draft behind big trucks.  Many people say that this is dangerous...
but keep in mind that a truck can't decellerate nearly as quickly as a
car.  Keep a 1.5 second distance between you and the truck and pay
attention... I find this safer than a 2 second distance behind a car
(car drivers are much more prone and able to slam on the brakes)

Fill your tires up with helium or hydrogen, less curb weight = better mileage.

Get a car that has better mileage!  Hybrid's will use less gas but
cost the same when price/repair is included.  It's not the question
but the most viable solution.

Use Acetone additive to your gasoline.  There are also many other
additives that may or may not increase mileage.

Uhh. helium and hydrogen are highly flammable so I don't think that's
the best idea lol! Use biofuels or fuels with less harmful effects on
the envronment to save the planet..not the original question as the
previous commentor said but everyone has to do their bit

I have never heard of filling automotive tires with hydrogen or
helium.  I can't imagine it would make an appreciable difference in
tire weight.  The tires would also lose air faster than if they were
filled with regular air.

One more thing.  Only hydrogen is flammable.  Helium is not.

Introduce water to the fuel intake system. It must be totally misted,
virtually like steam, with so ' solid' water in it. I have seen a
working model but the carby had to be about twenty feet [ through 4
inch pvc pipe] from the intake manifold to give the water time to turn
to mist. Economy went from 20 miles per gallon to fifty on a standard
6 cylinder [ in line] motor.