February 25th, 2008 at 02:19 am
0Gasoline prices just keep going up and up! I know NJ has some of the lowest prices in the nation and that is why it is so scary to me that I just paid $2.89/gallon...what must some of you be paying?! The future is not too bright as far as crude oil price futures go, so I have been trying to find ways to get better MPG with my car.
I found this website - [url]http://www.cleanmpg.com[/url] a few weeks ago and it has truly inspired me. I have a 2008 Honda Fit with automatic transmission so some of the tips they suggest do not pertain (a lot of the advice is for manual transmission vehicles), but I have been driving much more slowly - 5 to 10mph under the limit depending on if there are other drivers behind me instead of my usual 5-10mph over the limit. It has only added 5-10 minutes to my usual drive to and from work so no problem there as I still get there 15-20 minutes before the start of the day. I have also been coasting to stops (something I have always done but now I am coasting for longer distances), and putting my car in neutral at long red lights. I am not even sure putting the car in neutral helps my MPG that much but it is something I saw mentioned that is doable with my auto tranny so I am trying that for now.
I plan on increasing my tire pressure this week. Honda recommends 32psi, and the maximum sidewall on my tires says 51psi, so I plan on going up to 40psi. I have been keeping track of my fuel economy through [url]www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do[/url] which allows you to track all your fuel purchases and calculates your MPG for each tank of gas. With just the few alterations I have made in my driving in the last 3 weeks I have increased my mileage from 30mpg to 32mpg and even got 35mpg on the highway last week. I am hoping to get 34-35mpg on a regular basis once I increase the tire pressure.
I have taken this on almost as a new hobby and try to challenge myself to do better each day. I am actually enjoying driving slower and paying close attention to the RPM gauge which is surprising since I tend to have a real lead foot! :) asdf123
Gasoline prices just keep going up and up! I know NJ has some of the lowest prices in the nation and that is why it is so scary to me that I just paid $2.89/gallon...what must some of you be paying?! The future is not too bright as far as crude oil price futures go, so I have been trying to find ways to get better MPG with my car.
I found this website -
Text is http://www.cleanmpg.com and Link is
http://www.cleanmpg.com a few weeks ago and it has truly inspired me. I have a 2008 Honda Fit with automatic transmission so some of the tips they suggest do not pertain (a lot of the advice is for manual transmission vehicles), but I have been driving much more slowly - 5 to 10mph under the limit depending on if there are other drivers behind me instead of my usual 5-10mph over the limit. It has only added 5-10 minutes to my usual drive to and from work so no problem there as I still get there 15-20 minutes before the start of the day. I have also been coasting to stops (something I have always done but now I am coasting for longer distances), and putting my car in neutral at long red lights. I am not even sure putting the car in neutral helps my MPG that much but it is something I saw mentioned that is doable with my auto tranny so I am trying that for now.
I plan on increasing my tire pressure this week. Honda recommends 32psi, and the maximum sidewall on my tires says 51psi, so I plan on going up to 40psi. I have been keeping track of my fuel economy through
Text is www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do and Link is
www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do which allows you to track all your fuel purchases and calculates your MPG for each tank of gas. With just the few alterations I have made in my driving in the last 3 weeks I have increased my mileage from 30mpg to 32mpg and even got 35mpg on the highway last week. I am hoping to get 34-35mpg on a regular basis once I increase the tire pressure.
I have taken this on almost as a new hobby and try to challenge myself to do better each day. I am actually enjoying driving slower and paying close attention to the RPM gauge which is surprising since I tend to have a real lead foot!
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10 Comments »
February 25th, 2008 at 02:40 am 1203907251
Blaze Orange. I think its pretty neat!
February 25th, 2008 at 02:59 am 1203908378
February 25th, 2008 at 03:06 am 1203908792
February 25th, 2008 at 04:32 am 1203913931
February 25th, 2008 at 02:10 pm 1203948623
(I'll post again here that I pay about $4.20/gallon in my part of Canada, it's up to $4.40/gallon in some areas... I love the shock factor it gives some of you guys!)
February 25th, 2008 at 02:27 pm 1203949626
The exception to the rule is if you have fancy tires that adhere to different PSIs. But yes, generally increase the PSI will help improve gas mileage.
February 25th, 2008 at 02:33 pm 1203950037
February 25th, 2008 at 03:17 pm 1203952650
February 26th, 2008 at 01:37 am 1203989856
CanadianSaver,
We still have the Saturn, only now it is my hubby's car. I like how that worked out, don't you? *hehe*
Mulyanto & BrokenArrow,
Yes, increasing the tire pressure will effect traction, but I figure it should be okay since I am driving so much more slowly and carefully now. There is never much of an increase in our "load" - 60% of the time it is just me driving to and from work and the other 40% my daughter and husband jump in and maybe a few groceries. I will remember to check the pressure if we ever do take it on a real roadtrip or with lots of stuff. Thanks for the reminder!
CarolinaBound,
I agree! This enjoyment of the ride is new to me and I sometimes find myself feeling guilty for slowing the guy behind me up, but I figure he/she can always pass me if they want to.
ImaSaver,
Wow...glad I only have to buy the regular!
March 3rd, 2008 at 01:06 pm 1204549572