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Hold off on that hybrid! Learn these tips on Saving Gas. Posted:Friday February, 02nd, 2007 in Tips
So you've heard the basic song and dance. The way to save gas is to Drive less, Drive Slower, and then buy a Hybrid.
Yet, who has the cash for a Hybrid? In this day in age, its hard enough to keep a roof over your head, then be expected to purchase a car that costs up to three times more than your current vehicle.
Hybrids are also just as damaging to the environment, if not more. Sure, less emissions, but almost all Hybrids are made with a ton of batteries. Batteries are just as toxic to the environment, if not more than carbon dioxide.
Driving Slower? Hardly any effect, in fact, may reduce your Gas Economy. How is that? Heavier vehicles such as SUV's do better with Gas Economy at speeds of 55 - 70 miles per hour. SUV's doing 45 or under experience a 20% - 70% hit on their Gas Economy at the lower speeds based on model and weight of the vehicle.
Does that mean get rid of your SUV? Are you nuts? We thought so. Sorry tree huggers, but eliminating SUV's are not the answer, especially when most newer SUV's now have less emissions than most cars do now. Haven't they ever heard that its not the size that matters, its how you use it? It applies to Vehicles, just as much as it applies to <Insert Life Situation Here>.
So Just how can you increase your Fuel Economy? First, let's go through the basic things...
1. Reduce your Acceleration speed off Stop signs, and Traffic lights. Sure, I don't want to get caught at the next light either, but they are timed to screw with us, so we just have to deal with it. Gradually increasing speed at a steady, but quick pace will get you the most in your Economy in regards to Starting Acceleration. If you get thrown back when you accelerate, then you are using more gas than you need to be.
2. Keep idling low, but idle for a minimum. Read your owners manual, most vehicles have a target RPM they need to reach prior to being ready to drive. Pay close attention to it. If your vehicle is having problems reaching that target RPM, its time for a tune up.
3. Check your tire pressure, and read your owner's manual (or side of your driver door) for more closer information. For example, our Trailblazer has two different tire pressures. 30 PSI in the front, 35 PSI in the rear. Yes, those 5 PSI in the rear make a huge difference with fuel economy in our vehicle. So make sure your pressure is to the Manufacturer's Specification.
4. Keep up maintenance, but don't be fooled. Sure, we need regular oil changes and spark plug changes, but beware of "Engine Cleanings" and such. We paid a GM Dealer almost $300 to "Clean" the fuel system and engine. It ended up reducing our fuel economy by 20% (to 14 - 16 MPG avg). Before the cleaning, we had an average of 15 - 16 MPG, the Manufacturer's EPA Estimates, based on our driving habits.
5. Keep the RPM's low. The higher the RPM's, the higher the gas use. Try to keep your RPM's under 2,500 when accelerating, and try to keep them level at 2 - 3,000 (Depends on your vehicle).
6. Know your vehicle. Depending on a mechanic will more than likely give you inaccurate information. Read the owners manual!!!!! (We cannot stress this enough).
Alright, now that we got the basics out of the way, here is how we specifically increased our gas economy by almost 50% (Results may or may not be typical ... hell if we know).
1. Keeping our Tire Pressure to Manufacturer's Specifications.
2. Using STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner (Available at Target) every 15,000 miles (Which we hit about twice a year).
3. Using STP Gas Treatment every fillup. (Its a red bottle, tends to come in a three pack - Also Available at Target).
4. Waiting for our RPM's to hit 900 upon startup, 2,000 RPM as an average, and not exceeding 2,500 RPM when accelerating. (This may be unique to every model vehicle, please refer to owners manual, and your own research)
After using the STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner, our Trailblazer ran a bit rough while it was in the tank. Expected, since the system was never really cleaned (other than that GM thing we were talking about) plus the mileage we do per year, it can really add up to junk in our engines and fuel system (And the crap oil from the middle east sure doesn't help either).
We started using the STP Fuel Treatment every other fillup, for a month until we moved it to every fillup.
So how did those basic things help out?
Well, before the GM cleaning, and the use of the STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner we had an MPG of 15 City - 18 Highway. Below the EPA estimates, and quite costly. Our average MPG was 16.
Now, two months since the STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner, and the every fillup use of the Fuel Treatment, it has increased our MPG to a shocking 24 - 32 MPG. Our average MPG is 28.
That is an over 70% increase in our fuel economy, in an SUV. Some of the most "gas guzzling" vehicles on the road.
Our Tank Mileage Capacity went from just under 300 to 478 miles. An increase of 170+ miles to our tank.
And our wallet? We're saving about $7.31 per fillup for a $1.00 investment. (Based on $2.09 price)
We fill up twice a week, which means that over one year, we would of saved
over $700 in fuel, and 330+ gallons of fuel, for a $100 investment per year into STP products.
Based on numbers found on the Department of Energy website, we would be using 17 barrels of oil less per year, while maintaining our driving distances, and making minor changes to our habits.
As you can see, not everything is about Hybrids. Today's gas powered vehicles are extremely efficient, and while I believe Hybrids may provide us some hope in the coming years, technology is still far away from making Hybrid's a true environmental vehicle.
By the way, still want to help the environment while driving a current day gas vehicles? Plant more Trees. Trees reduce Carbon Dioxide. Our mass cutting of Trees and reduced Restoration of them also contributes to global warming, but I guess that got lost in the publicity wars and economic "needs". Planting a ton of Trees and increasing Tree populations will be one our greatest allies in global warming.
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Have thoughts about this blog? Post a comment below. Have some tips for others on how you reduced your gas use? Tell me, i'd love to hear them! Together, we will make a difference.
