Gas Mileage and Gas Prices » Gas Economy

New Offer! Chance to Win a $1,500 Gas Card!

Fuel Economy Advisor — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:35:10 +0000

We’re excited to announce a new free offer from ClipnGo Coupons. Simply complete a short survey for $75 worth of printable coupons, and even better, a chance to win a $1,500 Gas Card! Gas prices are still pretty high, and a $1,500 fuel card for free gas is too sweet a deal to pass up! Simply click here to complete the short survey for your free coupons and a chance to win the free gas.

Hybrid MPG: Toyota Prius vs. Nissan Altima vs. Honda Civic

Fuel Economy Advisor — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:50:10 +0000

Now that we are hearing more and more about fuel saving hybrid cars that run on batteries, we wanted to know how the top contenders compare in fuel consumption and value. So we took at the look at the 3 Hybrids rated the most fuel effecient for 2009: The 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid, the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid and the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid.

All of these figures are based on the assumption that you have driven the car at least 1500 miles to break it in. Assuming 1500 miles annually and gas prices at $2.44 per gallon, combined MPG (Miles Per Gallon) and the assumption that you refill when the tank is at 10% full.

The Toyota Prius Hybrid does the best in the city at a whopping 45 MPG, but breaks even when it comes to the highway at 45 MPG and again takes the lead in the combined gas mileage at 46 MPG. It should cost you about $1.33 to drive 25 miles, while only using only .54 of a gallon of gas. This car will cost about $794.00 to fill up on a yearly basis.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid does not do as well as either car, as it only gets 35 miles in the city and 33 on the highway. It only pulls a combined 34 MPG. To drive 25 miles would cost you $1.79 and only gets 612 miles on a tank of gas.
You’re looking at $1076.00 in annual fuel cost based on 612 miles per tank fill up.

The Honda Civic Hybrid comes in about even with the Honda Prius with 40 miles in the city and 45 on the highway. It pulls a combined 42 MPG, it cost $1.45 to drive 25 miles, while only using .60 of a gallon. To fill this car up it will cost you $43.92, while getting 612 miles off of a fill up, and a yearly fuel cost of $871.00.

The Top 3 Hybrids of 2009 for the Best Gas Mileage

Fuel Economy Advisor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:25:45 +0000

The 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid is hands-down the highest rated of the hybrid vehicles. Gas mileage, the most important consideration for many, is 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. This Toyota was designed from scratch as a hybrid, not modified from a conventional vehicle, and is considered by many the best blend of efficiency, dependability and affordability. It’s roomy design seats up to 5 people and maximizes interior space. At $21,100 it is a good value for all that it offers.

The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid has excellent gas mileage at 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Its price is competitive with the Prius at $22,600. The Civic Hybrid is a roomy, 4-door style sedan with a number of trims and options available. This hybrid vehicle is considered reliable and affordable, all-in-all an excellent value. Plus Honda has an award-winning extended warranty program which is standard for most vehicle purchases.

The new kid on the block, coming out this fall, is the 2009 Smart Fortwo. The Fortwo is a small, affordable 2-seater, designed more for around-town than for long trips. It’s base price of only $11,590 is very affordable, and it gets great gas mileage: 33 in the city and 41 on the highway. Although this Smart car is definitely not for everyone, it is easy to park anywhere and it’s low fuel consumption will definitely save you money.

For those who need a more conventional vehicle, the Volkswagen Jetta may be a better alternate choice than these hybrids in a slightly bigger class. It is not an alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle; it gets great gas mileage through efficient design. It gets 30 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, with some variation between specific models. Available in a coupe or a sportwagon, the VW Jetta boasts quality design and construction for a long lasting vehicle, starting about $17,500.

Advantages of Better Gas Mileage in the 2009 Chevy Aveo

Fuel Economy Advisor — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:42:09 +0000

Fuel economy is an important factor to consider when purchasing a vehicle. For instance the Chevy Aveo, in addition to its many other features, boasts a remarkable EPA estimated 34 mpg (miles per gallon). With the higher gas prices experienced this year, along with the current economic downslide, making sure you get the most value for your dollar is essential when buying a new car. Not only will the high gas mileage save you money every day that you own the vehicle, but cars with higher gas mileages tend to have higher resale values, protecting your investment over time.

The secret behind the improved fuel economy in the Chevy Aveo lies in the new ECOTEC engine. Without sacrificing performance, the variable valve timing on the engine results in 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, with the manual transmission, and 25 city, 34 highway, using a four speed automatic. Chevy is breaking away from the typical gas guzzling vehicles many Americans associate with previous models. The Aveo is the same American quality you have come to expect, but now with the gas mileage you would expect from an import. When looking for your new car, consider the Chevrolet Aveo and feel what it is like to save money every time you start the engine.

Top 3 Cars With The Best Gas Mileage In 2008

Fuel Economy Advisor — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:33:38 +0000

With gas prices in constant flux everyone shopping for a new car is very cognizant of the gas mileage of the vehicles they are looking at. Car manufacturers themselves have also become very concerned with this and as such have begun developing cars specifically to meet this need. In 2008 three cars stood out from the rest and earned the reputation as the vehicles with the best gas mileage.

The standout car for the year was the 2008 Toyota Prius. This car posted some amazing numbers and was by far and away the leader of all vehicles in all classes. It is classified as a mid sized car which puts it above the small compacts and below the full size vehicles. Still it has enough room to sit four people comfortably and put something in the trunk. The mileage rating on this vehicle is a tremendous 48 miles per gallon city and 45 mile per gallon highway. The big draw back on this car is the price and the availability. If you can find one at sticker price though they are by far the best deal going.

The runner up for the best gas mileage is the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. This vehicle is significantly smaller than the Prius and has worse fuel economy, although not by much. This vehicle gets 40 miles per gallon in the city and 45 mile per gallon on the highway. While the city numbers are significantly less, the highway numbers stay right with the Prius. One selling point in favor of the Civic is the fact that the actual vehicle is based around a car that has been in production for some time. All the kinks have been worked out of the Civic line and it makes this car very accessible.

The last vehicle that can be counted as won of the winners is the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. While the fuel economy is not anywhere near the mid size and compact cars it does offer a significant space upgrade over the other vehicles. The gas mileage on the Escape Hybrid is better than most mini compact and subcompact cars so it really is an achievement. This car comes in with gas mileage of 34 city and 30 highway, highly respectable for a vehicle with this much room.

How Hybrid Cars Produce Better Gas Mileage

Fuel Economy Advisor — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:16:10 +0000

The computerized Hybrid vehicles detect when to alternate the power from gas to electric. Your benefits are cost effective in fuel or gas, and using a rechargeable battery. In addition, there is less emission produce in hybrid cars opposed to conventional automobiles, which is better for the environment and the economy. Depending on the economy it may produce more jobs having more hybrids in production. It seems that hybrids are here to stay being that it is low cost and easy to maintain.

Hybrid cars have better gas mileage, as it uses both the engine and motor it converts gas to energy and it automatically stores in the rechargeable battery. When you completely brake or make a full stop using the brakes the Hybrid car recreates energy into electricity storing it in the battery. Like any other car the engine and motor forces the vehicle to move forward, backward and so forth. While cruising in the hybrid car the engine shuts down and the battery does all the work saving you a whole lot of fuel.

If you purchased a Hybrid after December 31, 2005 you may qualify for a tax break up to $3,400, so ask your accountant or tax professional for more information.

Rising Gas Prices: Fuel Economy and Your Next Car Purchase?

Fuel Economy Advisor — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:31:13 +0000

The Associated Press reported that oil prices fell Tuesday as fresh signs of a deepening U.S. recession trumped tensions in the Middle East and worries over natural gas shortages in Europe. Light, sweet crude for February delivery fell 23 cents, to $48.58 a barrel, in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The five-month slide in gasoline prices has come to an abrupt halt, with gasoline rising by several cents in recent days amid indicators that the national average could jump to $2 a gallon or higher this spring.

So we’re facing rising gas prices — how does that impact new car purchases, specifically hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles?

Automotive analysts expect consumers, who are still wary over the shaky state of the economy, to buy between 10 million and 12.4 million new cars and trucks in 2009. That’s down substantially from the 16.7 million in annual sales the industry has averaged over the past decade. And it’s even lower than the dismal 13 million or so in sales expected for 2008.

So the question is, at what point does fuel economy and better gas mileage become an issue again? A lot of consumers have simply stopped purchasing new cars due to the poor economy. Once car sales begin to pick up, though, it will be a new market out there. Consumers will want cars which get better gas mileage and more miles to the gallon. Next years answer may come from Ford:

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, and its twin, the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid, are mid-to-full-size sedans that seat five in surprising comfort and offer a full-size trunk measuring around 12 cubic feet. They measure 190.6 inches and weigh a goodly 3,720 pounds. The gas-electric output is 191 horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration is under 9 seconds.

With the cost of gas increasing to $2 in the next few months, more and more consumers will take another look at hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles.

Advanced Auto Parts: E3 Spark Plugs Improve Fuel Efficiency

Fuel Economy Advisor — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:56:06 +0000

There’s a lot of buzz going around the industry today about the new technology behind , because they’ve been rumored to increase performance and improve fuel efficiency (and as a result, gas mileage). It appears these rumors have some basis in fact. According to at least one blog review, “Most spark plug companies treat their plugs’ electrodes like shaving companies treat their razors: if there’s more it must be better, right ? With spark plugs, not so much.”

Thanks to their new look at the engineering behind spark plugs, E3′s Advanced DiamondFire Technology has produced a better spark plug which can actually improve fuel efficiency, save gas and provide better gas mileage.

The new technology is described by E3:

[Our] scientists studied the actual pressure rise from a single combustion event with different style spark plugs. The measurement is called the Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP). This value is arrived at by running series of combustion cycles and comparing the values from one spark plug to another, keeping all other parameters (load, rpm, temperature, humidity, etc.) equal. We focused on maximizing the peak pressure created by our proposed electrode designs.

Bad Mileage Mistakes: Are You Making Them?

Gas Prices Tumble Again; Gas is Cheap again!

Fuel Economy Advisor — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:55:51 +0000

Gas prices are falling all over the country. Here is just a sample of some of today’s headlines from different states:

Drivers pleasantly surprised by $1.99 gas prices from Illinois
Gas prices take another big drop from Los Angeles
Hawaii gas prices nearing a year ago’s levels – from Hawaii
Gas prices hit 2008 low in state from Colorado
Gas Prices Drop Rapidly Around Greene County from Tennessee

Gas prices are dropping everywhere across the country, and it’s all due to the dropping price on oil due to recession fears. The AP reports oil is down to $60/barrel, and they are attributing this to the decrease in demand for energy. This seems to be a predictable side effect of a slowing economy.

Unemployment is up and retail sales are down, and these factors definitely impact the price of oil. As oil prices come down, expect gas prices to continue to drop - some expect them under $2/gallon by the end of 2008.

Simple Maintenance Tips to Increase Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Advisor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:14:21 +0000

Increasing your gas mileage can be easy when you follow these tips to maintain the optimum performance in your engine, which can reduce fuel consumption and save money on gas.

Make sure the vehicle has properly inflated tires. When the tires are balanced and inflated the vehicle is able to drive efficiently. If even one of the tires is deflated it can decrease the gas mileage of the vehicle by up to five percent! As easy as it is to stop after filling up the vehicle and check the tire pressure of the vehicle most people don’t bother. This is one of the easiest ways to maintain the vehicle and increase gas mileage. Check the manual that comes with the vehicle to see what pressure the tires should be at for optimal performance.

Is your air filter clogged? If it is, than you could be increasing the fuel consumption of your vehicle by up to fifteen percent – the air filter should be checked every twelve thousand miles to ensure proper function. After this amount of time it will more than likely need to be changed, as they become clogged. Many times when you bring the vehicle in for an oil change they will check the air filter as well.

Ensuring that all spark plugs within the vehicle are in working order means increased fuel efficiency. If even one component of the vehicle is not working properly it causes the engine to have to work harder. What does it mean when the engine has to work harder? When the engine works harder it uses more fuel, which can increase consumption and decrease gas mileage.

Maintaining simple and regular oil changes will reduce friction within the engine, thereby increasing the fuel efficiency within the vehicle. As the oil ages it becomes less slippery and can increase friction within the engine. The reason oil is used within the vehicle is to maintain a smooth ride, decrease the friction and create a well-running engine.

Using these tips can increase your gas mileage through the use of simple maintenance techniques created that will extend the life of the vehicle, maintain optimal running performance and save money on gas. After all – with gas prices at the levels they are at, we can all use a break at the pumps!