[Raptor235]

It’s no secret that hybrid cars get better fuel economy than their “regular” counterparts. Unfortunately, chances are you probably don’t own a hybrid car. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to stop you from getting great gas mileage.

Below are several things you can do to help your vehicle get hybrid like fuel economy without having to shell out the extra money for an actual hybrid car:

1. Remove all excess weight from your vehicle. The rule of thumb is for every extra 100 pounds you carry in your car, you reduce its fuel economy by 2%. A good place to start is in the trunk of your car. Do you really need to carry your golf clubs around all the time?
2. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Again, the rule of thumb is driving with under inflated tires will reduce your fuel economy by 2%, on average. You should try and check your tire pressure at least once per month.
3. Watch your speed. According to FuelEconomy.gov, for every 5 miles per hour you drive above 60 mph, you reduce your fuel economy by 6%. That’s a pretty big incentive to just hang out in the right lane.
4. Reduce the amount of time you are in idle. Again, according to FuelEconomy.gov, your car wastes up to 17% of its fuel by simply being in idle. Whether you turn the car off when you’re sitting at a long stop light, or park the car when you pick up something from a friend’s house, you need to find ways to reduce the amount of time your car sits in idle.
5. Use moderate acceleration. Rapid acceleration, coupled with accelerating in to stops (as opposed to coasting) can decrease your fuel economy by as much as 33%! So, the next time the light turns green, don’t gun it.


Full article How to Get Hybrid Gas Mileage in Your Regular Car at Daily Fuel Economy Tip

[workinman]

there are alot more things u can do if u are a little mechanical...
on my old cavalier, i made my own air induction system. i cut a hole in the front bumber and used a flexable pipe off of a dryer vent to pipe air into the air box. increased my highway mileage a good 2 to 3 mpg. (also changed the air filter to a K&N high flow filter)
also, tall skinny tires help your milage a little, but may wear a little faster.
keeping your engine well tuned is another plus. make sure spark plugs are clean and replaced as needed.

[peachy]

raptor...a great list. I always forget about the tires. This is a good reminder.

Workinman...help me out here. How does tall skinny tires help out? The hamster in my brain is not running too fast today. LOL!

And you're so right about the air filter. I didn't realize how dirty my last one was (that's how long it has been) and it seemed to make a difference.

[workinman]

Originally Posted by peachy

Workinman...help me out here. How does tall skinny tires help out? The hamster in my brain is not running too fast today. LOL!

less surface of the tire contacting to the road = less friction. taller tires have to rotate less than smaller tires, creating a higher gear ratio (when they're on the drive wheels, meaning the front of a front wheel drive car and rear of a rear wheel drive car) just be careful because this could knock your speedometer outta wack a little.

[Raptor235]

wouldn't the smaller area be under more stress and therefore the tires would have to be changed more often?

[workinman]

wouldn't the smaller area be under more stress and therefore the tires would have to be changed more often?

in a sense yes, ur right. but alot of low profile tires are made with a softer, high performance rubber that wears out faster. taller tires are usually a harder rubber for touring... there is alot of variables i guess!

[Simon47]

Originally Posted by workinman

less surface of the tire contacting to the road = less friction. taller tires have to rotate less than smaller tires, creating a higher gear ratio (when they're on the drive wheels, meaning the front of a front wheel drive car and rear of a rear wheel drive car) just be careful because this could knock your speedometer outta wack a little.

stay within manufacturers specs or for 1- you sacrifice flex on the suspension and your fender will hit your tire on a big bump. I went down this road tryingto get higher profile tires for my truck so i could have clearance on bush roads.

harder rubber means less friction and less traction. that means as much in an Alabama rainstorm as it does in the icy grip of a Canadian winter.

rule of thumb- best advice - whatever tires you got keep them properly inflated and balanced for optimal performance. the right tires for the vehicle are what was designed for them.

you want tires with a wide channel between the treads, this allows for better contact with the road and clearance of snow and water(resistance) to keep tread on the road and not hydroplaning or slipping or pushing snow. don't spin your tires, it's extra mileage.

optimal driving+optimal maintenance equals optimal performance and optimal efficiency.

remember- the least efficient component is the "nut" behind the wheel.


safe driving

Sim

I'm the guy going the speed limit in the well tuned shitty green truck.

[workinman]

Sim

I'm the guy going the speed limit in the well tuned shitty green truck.

and i'm the one behind simon in the well tuned shitty blue truck...

[peachy]

Originally Posted by Simon47

remember- the least efficient component is the "nut" behind the wheel.


safe driving

Sim

Now THAT is funny. ROFL! That was a good laugh.

I'll be the one in the carpool lane forcing my kids to wave so people really do know that I have people in the back and that I'm not cheating!!!

[housefinch]

Thats me ahead of you!



o7O