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Getting the best fuel efficiency
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 by mus tofa
These days money is tight and people are looking to save by cutting down gas bills. A lot of them want to buy a car that is smaller and therefore more fuel efficient, or is it? They fail to realize that it will likely cost them more money to purchase a new vehicle vs sticking with what they have and paying maintenance and the extra gas it consumes. It could take years before you're able to pay off your new investment by savings in fuel. Instead why not just keep your current ride and save money by driving more efficiently?
The big myth is people have the common belief that the car makes the biggest difference for fuel economy. This is 100% false, if you buy a Honda civic or a Toyota prius and drive it with a lead foot it will be just as bad as anything else. This is why you shouldn't change your car but change the way you drive. A common thing on the road is jack rabbiting at the sight of a green light, this wastes fuel and puts unnessecary wear on components, take off smoothly, your passengers will thank you as well. It's important to also accelerate at a moderate pace this will let you get to speed quicker and get the revs down sooner. Accelerating slowly means the engine stays at high revs longer and burns more fuel as a result. The other thing that is common is to keep your foot on the gas right up until you start braking. If you see a light go red take your foot off the gas (getting there first isn't going to get you anywhere) allow the car to coast in this time, it will also slow down which means your brakes have to do less work.
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Use manual mode to downshift when passing |
In using these techniques you should see an increase in fuel efficiency and a decrease in vehicle wear. This will make even vehicles that aren't great on fuel better. Chances are if you're getting high fuel consumption it's not so much the car but your driving habits.
Category Article Civic, fuel, fuel economy, Toyota, Transmissions