Gas Mileage and Gas Prices » alternative fuel http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com How to Increase Gas Mileage and Beat Gas Prices Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:36:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Top 3 Hybrids of 2009 for the Best Gas Mileage http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2009/03/the-top-3-hybrids-of-2009-for-the-best-gas-mileage/ http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2009/03/the-top-3-hybrids-of-2009-for-the-best-gas-mileage/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:25:45 +0000 Fuel Economy Advisor http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/?p=233 2009 Toyota PriusThe 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.

2009 Honda CivicThe 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.

2009 Smart FortwoThe 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.

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]]> http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2009/03/the-top-3-hybrids-of-2009-for-the-best-gas-mileage/feed/ 46 Top Ten Reasons to Choose a Hybrid Vehicle: Car or SUV http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/10/top-ten-reasons-to-choose-a-hybrid-vehicle-car-or-suv/ http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/10/top-ten-reasons-to-choose-a-hybrid-vehicle-car-or-suv/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:26:10 +0000 Fuel Economy Advisor http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/?p=91 With the rising costs of gas there is an abundance of reasons that we are choosing to go green – for one, it releases the strain on your wallet when you see the gas gauge dwindle towards the empty line. Now with the option of a hybrid vehicle customers aren’t forced to look upon that empty gas tank with dread – in fact, with a hybrid vehicle you will see this happen a lot less often!
 

1. The best reason to buy a hybrid vehicle is to save money! No matter how much some of us may deny it, we all like to save money wherever we can. Now we can save money at the pumps by increasing fuel economy and filling up less with a hybrid vehicle.

2. Not only can we save money but we can also save the environment. Everyone wants to decrease their emissions while protecting the planet for the future generations. Many hybrid vehicle owners are thinking about their children’s future generations and the state of the earth that they are going to be faced with in fifty years. Go green for the younger generations!

3. Hybrid vehicles may cost more to begin with, but upkeep is not as expensive as it once was.  Mechanics are becoming more familiar with the different types of hybrid cars and SUVs as they grow in popularity.

4. Hybrid vehicles are all the rage! Celebrities and Stylish people are going green – you are in luck, never before has it been so trendy to go green!

5. Many of our favorite vehicles are available in Hybrid format now with increased gas mileage and specialized engines. This is one reason that a Hybrid can be for everyone! It is available in styles that range from the Toyota Prius, to the traditional Honda Civic, or Ford Escape – there literally is a hybrid for every vehicle owner.

6. Now, you don’t have to worry about losing power within the vehicle. Many of the hybrid vehicles that are being manufactured as just as powerful as those gas guzzling SUVs that we have all come to know and love.

7. Hybrids are the latest technology and are not going to become obsolete the way that some older vehicle models (like electric) did. Soon they are also going to stop making vehicle parts for those gas-powered vehicles that are bad for our health, our wallets, and the environment.

8. Some day soon Hybrid may be the only way to go! Think about the legislations occurring on a daily basis, warranting companies to reduce their CO2 emissions — it is only a matter of time before this legislation is introduced to vehicle owners. Why not get ahead of the game and start reducing today?

9. Hybrids are forming the path to future technologies. Once consumers have decided to care about the environment, their finances and contributing to the transition – auto companies will jump on this trend, too!

10. Doesn’t everyone want to contribute to pressing world issues? When consumers purchase hybrid vehicles, they are assisting the local communities and the nation as a whole to stop relying on foreign oil production. The truth is that the more we learn to become an independent nation, while learning to rely on other methods of energy rather than oil, the better off the relationships between developed countries can be.

 
With all of these reasons to go green, how can you resist? Not only will you be saving the crunch on your wallet, but also the crunch on the earth – Are you ready to start making a difference and consider trading in that gas guzzling SUV for a hybrid?

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]]> http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/10/top-ten-reasons-to-choose-a-hybrid-vehicle-car-or-suv/feed/ 28 Alternative Energy and Fuel: Considering a Hybrid Car? http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/10/alternative-energy-and-fuel-considering-a-hybrid-car/ http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/10/alternative-energy-and-fuel-considering-a-hybrid-car/#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:55:48 +0000 Fuel Economy Advisor http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/?p=81 Although a hybrid vehicle may save a bundle at the pump, is this car as easy on the wallet throughout the course of its lifetime as it is at the pump? Many consumers have this concern, and for this reason it is important to research each vehicle choice in depth – before making the final decision.

Although prices for hybrid vehicles can be expensive, the money that will be saved throughout the life of the vehicle may offset these initial costs. For this reason it is important to consider the budget of the customer when debating the purchase of a hybrid vehicle to save money on fuel.

Quick tip: Hybrid cars cost on average two to four thousand dollars more than traditional vehicles.

Are you concerned about the environment? Many activists are taking the next step to reduce the emissions created by the daily use of their vehicle. Are you one of the potential vehicle owners that wish to decrease your impact? If so, then a hybrid is the right choice for you!

Hybrid vehicles are actually most beneficial to drivers who use the vehicle for more than ten thousand miles per year. In order to realize the great fuel economy, the car must be used often enough to return a savings. For a driver that doesn’t use the vehicle often it may be beneficial to purchase a traditionally fueled vehicle which just runs on plain old unleaded.
 
Considering these aspects of a hybrid car to make the decision can be helpful in deciding if a Hybrid is truly worth the investment.

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]]> http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/10/alternative-energy-and-fuel-considering-a-hybrid-car/feed/ 16 Top 25 Fuel Economy Tips http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/07/top-25-fuel-economy-tips/ http://www.fueleconomyhelp.com/2008/07/top-25-fuel-economy-tips/#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:27:23 +0000 Fuel Economy Advisor http://fueleconomyhelp.com/?p=3 Has the recent spike in gas prices had a big financial impact on you? For almost every person driving, gas prices have impacted them in one way or another. We have decided to produce a list to help lessen the impact of rising gas prices. Here are the top 25:

Planning is Essential

Finding the best gas prices:
Use tools on the internet such as GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas prices in your area. Prices can fluctuate greatly in different areas, finding the cheapest stations will save you tremendously.

Research a Wholesale Alternative
Costco, Sam’s Club and Safeway stores sometimes offer their members discounts of up to ten cents per gallon on gasoline if you are a member. Our local Safeway store gives us a ten cent discount on gas after we spend $50 on groceries.

Alter your commute time
If at all possible; schedule your trips and errands for times when there isn’t as much traffic on the roads. In an incredibly comprehensive research paper, Omninerd found that commute times varied greatly depending on the time he left his house. If your schedule allows it, try traveling to your destination earlier or later in order to avoid rush hour.

Organize Trips
Combine your trips: Instead of impulsively driving, schedule a list of errands and complete them in one drive. If you need groceries, a hair cut and have to pick the kids up from school, do them all in one trip.

Lose the extra weight
Don’t pack your car with unneeded weight as it can greatly affect your fuel economy (Subwoofers, golf clubs, etc). Bankrate has stated that “For every 250 pounds your engine hauls, the car loses about one mile per gallon in fuel economy.”

Eliminate Drag
Air resistance plays a big role in preventing your vehicle from moving. You car uses about half of the energy produced simply to disperse the air. (The other half is used in acceleration). Help your car reduce drag  and remove anything that may adversely affect its drag: bicycle racks, cargo units (like a Thule), etc.

Fuel Efficiency with your Car

Purchase a fuel-efficient car
If you are in the market for a new car, fuel economy should absolutely be considered.

  • For the best cars on gas: the most fuel-efficient vehicles tested
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Maintenance is Key
A car in poor running condition will use additional gas than one that has been maintained properly. According to this checklist at AAP, an unclean air filter can reduce your gas mileage up to 20 percent. Spark plugs can have a similar effect, reducing mileage up to 12 percent.

Consider Synthetic Oil
There have been numerous studies on the fuel efficiency of synthetic oil. While it does cost more for an oil change, the savings can recouped with better MPG.

Be cautious of worthless fuel efficiency products
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has commented on these products saying most gas-saving products are worthless: “Be wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to work, the savings have been small.” Consumer Reports also noted “Don’t waste your money.”

Tire Pressure is important!
Under inflated tires are not just dangerous — they significantly reduce your fuel economy (By up to 25%). Over inflated tires are also inefficient in achieving optimal fuel economy. Balancing tires and keeping them aligned is also very important.

Driving Habits

Drive at a constant moderate speed
Edmunds.com found that the best way to improve fuel efficiency was to accelerate slowly and to brake over a longer distance. Aside from purchasing a new vehicle, this is the single most effective step you can take to reduce your costs. According to fueleconomy.gov: “As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.”

Cruise Control
Acceleration and deceleration will reduce your gas mileage. By eliminating the human interaction with the gas pedal, you will be able to improve fuel effificiency.

Excessive Idling
As a general rule if you are idling more than 30 seconds shut your vehicle off. Starting your vehicle does use a surge of gas but not enough to justify not shutting your vehicle off.

Anticipate upcoming stops
Stopping greatly affects fuel economy. Rather than race to each stop light, go at a slower pace so you are constantly moving instead.

Air-conditioning Myth
You always hear that Air Conditioning significantly reduces your gas mileage. While this is true, driving with your windows rolled down has an impact on the drag of your car. Either way results in about a 10% reduction of fuel efficiency. According to research results show there isn’t a noticable difference between driving with the windows down or using the A/C. Consumer Reports preformed similar tests with similar results:

“A/C uses about 1 mpg, but safety (and comfort) increase with use. Opening windows made no significant difference in our gas mileage.”

Drafting
When on the freeway try to find a large truck or car that will enable you to ‘draft’ behind the vehicle. This significantly helps reduce the drag produced by your vehicle and will save you a few cents at the pump!

Reduce your Driving all together!
The best way to save gas altogether is to stop driving. Use alternative modes of transportation such as bicycling, carpools, public transportation, etc.

When Buying Gasoline

Wednesdays are cheapest
“Gas prices are statistically the cheapest on Wednesdays, but this is only true over a large number of days. Obviously it won’t always be cheaper. Quoted from WikiHow, ”Gas prices often jump before holidays, too”.

A few cents are not worth the longer travel
Certainly buying gas at a cheaper location saves you money, but if it requires you to go a few miles out of your way sometimes it isn’t worth it. If you calculate the cost t

Purchase gas during the coolest times of the day
HowToAdvice.com states: “During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind – gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel”. When you fill your tank up, you don’t pay according to density so make the best and get the most out of your fill up.

Use the correct gasoline octane level required for your vehicle
A common misconception about gasoline octane is that the higher the octane, the better the mileage you get. This isn’t necessarily true. High performance cars or vehicles requiring high octane levels will benefit from the higher octane, but if you vehicle isn’t designed for premium fuel, don’t buy it.

Topping off your tank isn’t worthwhile
Overfilling often leads to wasted gas. Allow the pump to stop the gas flow.

Tighten your Gas Cap
AAP: “Improperly seated gas caps allow 147,000,000 gallons of fuel to vaporize every year in the U.S.”

Gas Credit-cards
Gas credit cards often have incentives to save a few cents on gasoline.

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