Saw 3mpg improvement over a whole tank of gas by changing habits, work schedule

[mb27]

The previous few tanks I was consistently getting 24.0MPG. Now with such high gas prices I've really been trying to maximize fuel economy. I was able to achieve 27.1MPG on my last tank! :banana: Filled up with 17.132 gallons @ 464 miles.

What I've changed:

I now drive the speed limit. I used to go 70-75mph in the 65 zone and 50 in the 45 zone, but now I stick to the limit, maybe just 1 or 2 over. This was VERY hard to do at first so I forced myself to use cruise control for a while.

I accelerate slower. This probably helps the most. And now that I do it, I can't help but laugh at the truck/SUV owners who floor it at stop lights just so everyone can hear their 5.7l Hemi, only to catch the next red light a 1/4 of a mile down the road while I just cruise right by.

When traffic is light (see next point), I let the car lose just a little bit of speed when going up small hills to allow VCM to stay engaged. I can pick the speed back up when going down the next hill, VCM staying on the whole time.

I started working 8:30 to 5:30 instead of 8:00 to 5:00. There is MUCH less traffic at this time. I realize most people can't make this change, but I'm not telling anyone to change (just posting about what I did).

And of course, keep check of the tire pressure. I inspect mine at every other fill up.

Right now my trip computer is saying 28.9MPG, but I'm only at 60 miles on this tank, so I'm sure it will drop more, especially over the weekend.

[leggysoe]

Nice, I should try that from now on...
I just filled up my tank and noticed my mpg was 19.9...disgraceful

[Jakerx]

I've changed my driving habits as well. I accelerate much slower...but still safely.

I also drive the speed limit, except on the highway when I drive 70 instead of 60...driving 60 on a highway in Texas is a death wish! Lol.

[Demonik]

I've changed my driving habits as well. I accelerate much slower...but still safely.

I also drive the speed limit, except on the highway when I drive 70 instead of 60...driving 60 on a highway in Texas is a death wish! Lol.

just those 2 things will get you a couple of MPGs higher...

and yes driving 60 in Texas will get you killed, haha...i'm not looking forward to being back in Houston traffic for the summer

[03LXV6]

I too have significantly lowered my speed on all roads. I remember late nights I would jump on the interstate and do 90+ which is the norm on 95 here in Miami. I find myself now getting up to 65 - 67 and hitting cruise. I also noticed the trips are only a few minutes longer anyways.

Its harder to do the speed limit on local roads mainly because of the people behind you. On my way from work today, doing 31 in a 30 I see a CRV behind flashing and honking. They proceded to pass me illegally in the oncoming lane only to turn in a driveway less than a quarter mile away.

[honda761]

I wonder if the beautiful co worker of mine with the Hummer is getting stares and some sly remarks these days. Anyways, its like going to the dentist these days filling up. May Karma put the oil executives on the streets.

[skeleto]

geez 2 or 3 more mpg isnt worth the horror of driving 65 on the freeway.

[Jakerx]

geez 2 or 3 more mpg isnt worth the horror of driving 65 on the freeway.
If you fill up once a week, with prices hovering at $3.50...that's over $300 in savings a year. (2-3 mpg increase...18 gallon fill-up...4 times a month...12 times a year...which is a good way of looking at it for an average, and that's only assuming gas prices don't skyrocket this summer)

$300+ isn't worth arriving at a place a couple minutes later than usual...or rather...leaving somewhere a couple minutes earlier than usual?

[skeleto]

nope. and i do fill up about every 5 days. if i cared about fuel economy i wouldve bought a prius.

[hermann]

When there really is a gas shortage in the future, people like you should not get any, beings you are wasting it now..:naughty::lmao::D

[Chaski]

yeah i changed my driving habbits as well....new motto: 'gotta get there faster...' :) hey! i went form a i4 to a V6...my cars screams for some gas...but thats just me...let me say this tho: i may be crazy...but not stupid..;)

[ezshift5]

Now with such high gas prices I've really been trying to maximize fuel economy. I was able to achieve 27.1MPG on my last tank!
What I've changed:





...there is a certain amount of satisfaction in seeing the fuel efficiency measures you've invoked pay off......(NPI).

Good story; good thinking; well done.

....ez....

[jang859]

I figured out I can get 35 mpg by consistently driving at redline. Kinda sucks that when I have to accelerate I have to shift up first, though.

[Jakerx]

nope. and i do fill up about every 5 days. if i cared about fuel economy i wouldve bought a prius.
I'm sure you'll care when oil hits $250 a barrel (which could very well happen if you read the WSJ or watch the financial news...idiot traders in the market pricing oil futures way too high)

[vlodnak69]

For humor's sake, I knew I was going to be driving nearly 200 miles today, so I filled up in morning and took it easy. For me that REQUIRES using cruise control, as otherwise I creep up to 80+.

I drove in the south shore area of MA, Rt 3; then up I-93 THRU boston and up to Manchester NH. By the time I got to Manchester I was nearly 100 miles into my tank... perhaps slighlty more... NAVI trip comp read 27.2.

Headed home, smooth sailing until I hit I-95 near waltham where there was an accident. When I hit the traffic jam (too late to navigate around it without a HUGE setback in time) Trip Comp read 28.2... by the time I got home I was back to 26.7.

[SoK]

yeah i changed my driving habbits as well....new motto: 'gotta get there faster...' :) hey! i went form a i4 to a V6...my cars screams for some gas...but thats just me...let me say this tho: i may be crazy...but not stupid..;)

same here, i'm always 5 over and like to give it a lil gas sometimes...

can't get any tickets though, i'm in sales so tickets = fired.

[GigaS27]

Oo course this will work, but i'm sure you won't last!

I tried it and it works some days, and not others...Some days people piss you off that makes you step on it!

Good luck

[dennisho18]

I've also changed my driving habits, i try not to get caught by stop lights and stop signs so i change my route to work and school, and i accelerate very slowly now. i drive speed limit. and i drive with the windows up and no A/C because its still MILD here in california. plus i got tints so it doesnt hurt too much. i went from 26mpg to around 31mpg with mix driving.

[dking99]

Nice, I should try that from now on...
I just filled up my tank and noticed my mpg was 19.9...disgraceful

I am right about 20 mpg as well...sucks...oh well, I would rather drive fast and have fun with the car than do the speed limit to save 6 bucks a tank.

[dking99]

When there really is a gas shortage in the future, people like you should not get any, beings you are wasting it now..:naughty::lmao::D

SUV owners would still be behind us on that list...

[bruceleroy]

i followed some of your tips and my MPG changed from 24MPG to 30MPG. PIMP

[USAFRET]

All good common sense tips and easy to follow. I too have to laugh when the Speed Racers leave me at the stop light and I roll by them (usually without touching my brakes) a light later.

I also changed out the dino oil for Mobil 1 and I have found over the years that that too increases fuel mileage some. And every little bit helps.

I'm up to 23.7 MPG in pure city diving and on one tank manged just at 24 MPG. I don't NEED to conserve, I earn enough to own a 500HP Corvette as my "pleasure vehicle" but I do feel some civic duty to reduce my foot print. Plus I get there about the same time as the guys that blow by me.

[Bruce Hawkins]

I have a ScanGauge2, what I found is that stop signs and stop lights (stopping) is what kills mileage!!! Its the stop and go. Everything else is smaller effects.
AND, remember that our Accords Spedo reads low by 2-3 MPH...