It’s dominating the news and has been the topic of several recent Families.com “Travel” and “Frugal” blogs. It’s the high price of gas and at this point who knows how high the prices will go. So, here is another blog about gas, but with a twist. Ask yourself, how much do you know about saving gas? Then test yourself with these true-or-false statements.
1. Running your air-conditioner can help your gas mileage.
2. Use a premium gasoline to improve your mileage.
3. You’ll use less gas if you keep the engine running for one minute than if you stopped and restarted the engine.
4. Use overdrive gears to improve mileage.
5. You can save gas with fuel additives or devices.
Answers:
1. Running your air-conditioner can help your gas mileage.
TRUE. Over 40 miles an hour, you’re better off running your air-conditioner than rolling down your windows. The drag on your car’s aerodynamics with an open window is worse for your mileage than running your A/C. However, if you’re just driving around town, you’re better off with the windows rolled down. On the highway, more than half your engine power is needed just to overcome drag. You can minimize drag by not hauling items on your roof, and removing empty bicycle or ski racks.
2. Use a premium gasoline to improve your mileage.
FALSE. Unless your engine is knocking, stick with the less expensive, lower octane gas. Higher-octane, premium fuels help prevent the damaging “knocks and pings” in your engine, but most modern engines are designed to do that themselves with electronic fuel injection and monitoring your engine’s combustion. You should only use premium gas if your car’s owner manual specifically requires it.
3. You’ll use less gas if you keep the engine running for 1 minute than if you stopped and restarted the engine.
FALSE. Idling for 30 seconds uses more gas than starting the engine. So if you’re running in for a quick errand, or stopped at a drive-up ATM, you’ll save gas by shutting off the engine.
4. Use overdrive gears to improve mileage.
TRUE. Overdrive uses less fuel by forcing your engine speed down. It not only saves gas but also reduces wear on your engine.
5. You can save gas with fuel additives or devices.
FALSE. The Environmental Protection Agency has tested dozens of these for the past 30 years and found no proof that most of them work; even those that did work showed only marginal improvement. Consumer Reports tested Fuel Genie, Tornado, and the Platinum Gas Saver, and didn’t see any improvement in gas mileage. These devices can cost $100, and even if they did work, they would need to offer more dramatic improvements for you to quickly recoup your savings. You’re better off using the money to fill your tank.