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6 Gas Saving Myths

money.cnn.com — Sure you want to save gas, but there's a lot of bad advice on how to do it. Some of it makes no difference, and some of it can wind up costing you.

Who dugg this? Made popular May 15, 2008

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  • longchamp, on 05/15/2008, -29/+233This article is *****. My fuel economy went up ~10% when i replaced the horribly clogged air filter in my Civic.
    It also went up when i inflated tires back to proper spec.
    Using low octane in a high performance car which requires high octane CAN damage it. It's called detonation.

    This article is very misleading.
  • inactive, on 05/15/2008, -11/+114I drive a turbo-charged WRX and you MUST put premium in it or you will ruin the engine. I know people who have tried regular gas in them and it makes them stall in first gear. This article is givng bad advice by saying that ALL cars will work fine with regular gas.
  • Chairboy, on 05/15/2008, -10/+99I've built a simple tow-hook arrangement that's mounted to the front bumper of my car and is spring-loaded to try and extend forward. I control it with a little cable that comes back into the cabin of my Chrysler so I can deploy it to hook the rear of a semi-truck or large SUV by letting out the tension.

    Like any eco-conscious driver, I just pull up close behind my target, let unhook the cable from the clip on my driver-side door and carefully let it out. The A-frame swings up and forwards, until it almost touches the vehicle in front of me. Some experimentation and trial & error has brought me to a half-hook/cup arrangement that settles easily over large trailer hooks or commercial trailer mounts and holds itself in place quite nicely. Once down, I can pop the transmission into neutral and relax.

    The key is to keep your engine running so the transmission stays lubricated, of course.

    Q: Why don't you use a rope or harpoon or something?
    A: Well, that's just silly, you then need to watch for braking so you can avoid ramming the back of your quarry. With this, he provides your braking too.

    Q: How do you avoid debris being kicked up into your paint?
    A: The only danger of this really exists during the docking maneuver. Afterwards, you're within the laminar flow and subsequently safe from most of this.

    Q: Isn't this illegal?
    A: The law is quite firm about following at unsafe distances, yes, but once you're connected, you fall under statutes that regulate towing. There's nothing in there about getting towed without the knowledge of the driver!

    I dream of someday seeing long caravans of stealthy eco-towers drifting down the highway, attached to each other and being pulled by an unknowingly helpful Humvee. The serpentine motion of such a construct changing lanes would be beautiful to behold indeed.
  • Furkle, on 05/15/2008, -3/+77They didn't say keeping your tires inflated to spec wasn't worth it they said it was dangerous to overinflate them for the minor gain you might get in increased mileage.
  • Aslan72, on 05/15/2008, -10/+82Buy a bike... :)
  • cdigioia, on 05/15/2008, -0/+64You mean highest gear feasible I think
  • arkan, on 05/15/2008, -1/+67A few weeks ago as I was filling up on $3.75/gal gasoline I decided to try an experiment. For that tank, I would make sure to shift before 2k RPM and I would always go exactly the speed limit rather then my normal 5 or so over. The result? Before that my car was getting about 30 mpg, something most of my friends are envious over. With that simple change, though, I got 34 mpg, and I have been able to maintain that over the last 2 fill-ups. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it equates to an extra day of gas for my commute to work.
  • reignbow, on 05/15/2008, -9/+64More important actually:
    1. Drive steady, try to keep brake/accelerate to a minimum.
    2. Use the lowest gear feasible (sorry, automatic people)
  • RealmDown, on 05/15/2008, -2/+40I found the same thing. As an added bonus, this *massively* increases road rage around you. Definitely a win-win.
  • RadicalEdward, on 05/15/2008, -5/+45People need to keep in mind, a car that recommends premium will do fine on regular, even high end bmw's and such because they are designed to be driven all over the world including places that don't have high octane gas. but car's the REQUIRE premium can be damaged by not using it.
  • LeRenard, on 05/15/2008, -3/+41Some of these are absurd. If a clogged filter is not a problem, why not just plug the intake up completely? And I'm impressed that they feel the economy on 87 octane will be the same in cars with high compression or forced induction, where the computer will have to roll back the timing to keep the engine from destroying itself.
  • minorthreat, on 05/15/2008, -4/+40You think its better to run in 2nd gear at 7k rpm than 4th gear at 2k rpm?
  • isolino, on 05/15/2008, -5/+39Not sure I agree with all of these myths.
  • zspeed78, on 05/15/2008, -0/+25Wow, this is a horrible article. Full of incorrect assumptions. Clean air filters DO make a difference because they aid the engine in actually filling the cylinder with air during the intake stroke (volumetric efficiency comes to mind). The premium fuel comment is also so wrong its scary. High compression engines are MORE efficient, but require premium. Going to regular forces the engine to change the timing and sometimes air/fuel ratio. It also only does this ONCE it detects a PROBLEM (detonation), not with some amazing fuel type analyzer beforehand. Furthermore, premium is only 20-30 cents more than regular, which at $4 gas, is the lowest percentage increase its ever been. When gas was $2 a gallon, I HATED paying 10% more for premium. Now its about 5%. Who writes garbage like this.. probably those bloggers that get paid $5 an article to fill up space and create ad revenue.
  • nroose, on 05/15/2008, -2/+262 Gas Saving Tips:
    1. Drive less.
    2. Accelerate gradually.
  • Narcism, on 05/15/2008, -6/+33"Organizing a day to boycott petrol" surprisingly absent.
  • Barbarino, on 05/15/2008, -3/+25If you have a sports car that requires prem fuel and you use reg, at the top end of the tach she's not going to like it. If you use reg when you should be using prem then don't hammer her you'll be sorry. This article is wrong.
  • IphtashuFitz, on 05/15/2008, -0/+24A modern day car can only compensate so much for a "horribly clogged" air filter. If it's so badly clogged that hardly any air can get into the engine then you're certain to get lousy mileage. That is, if you can even start your car in the first place.
  • LeRenard, on 05/15/2008, -1/+22Were you watching the same show I did? They found that the windows open was best at low speeds, AC was better on the highway.
  • jprater, on 05/15/2008, -2/+21You make it seem so easy for everyone to just move closer to work and ride a bike. Well I have news for you: LIFE ISN'T THAT EASY!
  • inactive, on 05/15/2008, -0/+16Google is a wonderful thing. Look it up. Turbo charged engines have different fuel requirements than a "regular" car.
  • PabloMac, on 05/15/2008, -0/+16I just want to be associated with one of the best posts I have ever seen on digg.
  • tomz17, on 05/15/2008, -0/+16I call *****... Your car cannot sense a pre-ignition detonation until it happens, who cares if it temporarily retards the timing afterwards... If you use octane below the recommended you are going to be knocking your engine all around town. My owners manual SPECIFICALLY says that lower octane fuel can only be used in emergency situations when premium is not available, and that the knock sensor in the car will allow the engine to continue to function on a lower octane... but from everything i've read, it is NOT a good idea for daily driving on an engine timed for high octane!!!!
  • orangefly, on 05/15/2008, -2/+18quiet down hippie....
  • inactive, on 05/15/2008, -4/+20Obviously better than your observation skills, seeing how I'm a girl. I don't need to compensate for having a small piece of anatomy.
  • Julik, on 05/15/2008, -0/+15They actually said that over inflating your tires will save you some money on gas, but with less tread touching the road it will be more dangerous, thus not worth the saving in gas. So they are saying that having your tires properly inflated is good, and will save you money.. but be sure not to over inflate.
  • orangefly, on 05/15/2008, -2/+19i have to drive my car....my horse is in the shop....
  • RadicalEdward, on 05/15/2008, -0/+18steady speed isn't the issue, it's steady rpm too it's better to maintain rpm up a hill and go slower, then to maintain speed and run the engine faster. Also coasting in neutral down hills and such helps.
  • TeraRealm256, on 05/15/2008, -3/+17I agree with others, this article is EXTREMELY misleading! It could cause a person that isn't educated on the mechanics of vehicles to royally ***** up their cars!
  • Sheryldx, on 05/15/2008, -2/+17Yeah Right put regular into premium fuel required engine and it will do nothing........exept a beautiful check engine light that will come out when the sensor will detect that the detonation of the car is not right, then the computer will adjust richer or leaner the air/fuel ratio that will make the car consume more, pollute more and eventually it will broke cause the timing of the piston going down the cylinder with the spark will ***** up the engine and then guess what ? you're going to the garage with your brand new Vw passat 2008 2.0 turbo and Volkswagen tell you that your car isn't under warranty anymore cause you negligee to put the right fuel in your car.It happens just like that to my client. Great advice.....really !
  • republicker, on 05/15/2008, -3/+17The writer shows his naivety in #6.
  • linagee, on 05/15/2008, -1/+13A humvee? Are you serious? (It would fall apart.) How about a walmart truck? (You could put a sticker on your car: "Powered by low low prices!")
  • apackofmonkeys, on 05/15/2008, -1/+13Buried for the ever-increasing incorrect spelling of "brakes"
  • gmlongo, on 05/15/2008, -3/+16Try reading the article. It says you can use regular in cars that RECOMMEND premium. It does not say to use regular in cars that REQUIRE premium.
  • Fullvinyl, on 05/15/2008, -3/+15Inquiring about penis sizes, I think.
  • peaceninja, on 05/15/2008, -2/+15high taxes that subsidizes other costs, such as healthcare and public transportation?

    Try ~ lack of public transportation and bad healthcare here in the US!
  • cdigioia, on 05/15/2008, -1/+13Maybe that's what she/he meant...even so, really bad form to phrase it like that.
  • KSUdesigner, on 05/15/2008, -1/+15"There is no gas shortage man. It's all fake. The oil companies control everything. Like there is this guy that invented this car and it runs on water man. It's got a fiberglass air-cooled engine and it runs on water. "
  • MISking, on 05/15/2008, -1/+12You're nutz
  • TheSarf, on 05/15/2008, -6/+17Lower gear in terms of ratios, not numerically.
  • RealmDown, on 05/15/2008, -0/+111) It is if you don't use them. Time it right, and you can just re-accelerate at the appropriate time.
    2) Brake pads are now cheaper than gas.
  • BOFH2, on 05/15/2008, -2/+13or the brake for that matter
  • ryanmiller1982, on 05/15/2008, -0/+11Didnt they watch the Mythbusters Episode on this?
    Season 3 Episode 14, series episode 38.
    Windows down when below 50mph, AC on when above 50mph.
  • AnarkeIncarnate, on 05/15/2008, -0/+12Yes, and you have a densely populated small country the size of the Middle Atlantic states in the US. Your motor sizes rarely go over 1.5L. Here, 1.5L is considered a TINY motor and will likely be found on a riding lawnmower. How far do most EU/UK-ers drive to work? I go 42 miles each way
  • Jwoey, on 05/15/2008, -0/+12No, its not that hard... the hard part is being sweaty and stinky all day at work. Not every workplace has a shower available (In fact, I'd say very few do).
  • notoneofus, on 05/15/2008, -1/+12Actually, the title is misleading. It doesn't prove that any of these things are "myths," just that the effects are negligible.
  • MISking, on 05/15/2008, -0/+11Glad to hear the A/Cs in cars are getting more efficient, now only if I had a new car.
  • vicsvenge, on 05/15/2008, -1/+12yeah i don't like this article either. like was mentioned above. I drive a turbocharged car and if I were to put regular in it I'd do a pretty good job of ruining my motor. While most naturally aspirated motors can use any mixture of fuel, for high compression motors premium is still going to better.

    And with air filters, it's just common sense and good maintenance practice to replace your air filter if it's clogged so regardless of if it gives you better gas mileage or not it should still be done.
  • GetShorty, on 05/15/2008, -2/+16As for "bolt-on's", a low restriction intake and high flow exhaust will most certainly improve fuel economy (and power usually). Manufacturers prefer to keep things quiet, which is why the factory equipment is so restrictive. If you can stand a little noise, you can save some money in the long run and have a more powerful vehicle.
  • halleyscomet, on 05/15/2008, -0/+10Didn't they test this device on Mythbusters and conclude it was a pile of nonsense?
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