Anyone have any tips for saving money on fuel for your car?

[jkuo13]

Originally Posted by saint tim

Mythbusters proved that you got 15 more miles to a tank of gas if you drive with no A/C. Even on the highway (they were busting the myth that wind resistance from open windows decreased the mpg)

Actually, driving with your AC and windows up is more fuel efficient at highway speeds. Unless Mythbusters has updated their test, they didn't perform their tests correctly. They used a track where they weren't allowed to drive more than 45(?) mph. Wind resistance at more realistic highway speeds (55,65,75 mph and up) would be significantly higher than they experienced during their test. Mythbusters doesn't always get their methodology right (but to their credit, they do a pretty good job given their constraints of being a popular tv show).

While I'm on the subject of wind resistance, I'll add that slipstreaming can save you some gas money. Tail another car and let them bear the brunt of the wind resistance for you. Just don't tail too close. The gas savings isn't worth driving dangerously.

[happysmileylady]

Originally Posted by jkuo13

Actually, driving with your AC and windows up is more fuel efficient at highway speeds. Unless Mythbusters has updated their test, they didn't perform their tests correctly. They used a track where they weren't allowed to drive more than 45(?) mph. Wind resistance at more realistic highway speeds (55,65,75 mph and up) would be significantly higher than they experienced during their test. Mythbusters doesn't always get their methodology right (but to their credit, they do a pretty good job given their constraints of being a popular tv show).

While I'm on the subject of wind resistance, I'll add that slipstreaming can save you some gas money. Tail another car and let them bear the brunt of the wind resistance for you. Just don't tail too close. The gas savings isn't worth driving dangerously.

Actually they did update the test and did a version on regular streets as well. The results were essentially the same (the numbers might have varied but ultimately it was still better to drive no a/c