How to beat the increasing fuel prices!!

-Chris-

We've seen so many threads in this forum over the last few days regarding fuel prices and how to change them, from blockades, to no-buy days to endless amounts of complaining and analysis.

But complaining is easy, action is hard - and action we can take ourselves will have a much faster effect than actions we take to try and lobby the gov't to change the tax rates on fuel.

You can argue for a 10c decrease in fuel prices (not particularly likely imho) or you can strive for a 7% improvement in fuel economy (probably achievable for most of us) and the effect will be the same on your pocket.

Soooo....


What are the best ways you know of improving fuel economy?
What have you tried?
What works and what doesn't work (or what works really well and what barely works)?
What is largely regarded to work that can be proved to be largely bull?
Have you any measurable results you can share with us all?


I've had a quick look online and I can see the following hints...

http://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Fuel-Mileage-on-a-Car
http://cars.about.com/od/helpforcarbuyers/tp/ag_top_fuelsave.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/how-to-get-better-fuel-economy1.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4810926_increase-cars-fuel-efficiency.html
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?p=703421
http://www.djron.com/13WaysFuel.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
http://www.10spot.net/articles/improve_fuel_economy_tips.html

...anything jumping out at you? Anyone have something to add??

MagicMarker

Get the bus.

Max_Damage

Run it on veggie oil / pure alcohol.

Or buy a bicycle.

bladespin

Agri diesel

mickdw

Drive less, Drive efficiently and if you really must, drive a diesel.

alias no.9

The simplest is to eliminate or combine journeys where ever possible. Do shopping on way home from work. Get petrol when passing a petrol station, a special journey to buy cheaper petrol will probably burn more than the savings.

MarkR

No fat chicks. Cuts down on weight in the car. I find a helium baloon in the backseat also helps.

Matt Simis

Take off roof racks, fit an under body tray (or make sure its in good shape), try to plan the route ahead by not braking and accelerating continuously.. if you brake you have to speed up again.

Limiting my revs to 3000rpm max and gentle acceleration brought my mpg from 19ish to 21 ish mpg. I went back to giving plenty of right foot again so 19mpg is the average again. I spend €60/€70 a week on petrol so 10% saving isn't to be sneezed at but still it's not a hugely significant difference. K&N panel filter made no difference, nor did new plugs just before the recommended interval (they're 50k mile jobbies).

A 2.0 diesel would save me over €30/week in fuel costs and almost €400/year in tax so I do see myself in a diesel MG ZS in a year or so. Although I have an inkling (project kicking off in one of my old haunts) I may be working closer to home within a year too (less than 2 miles away) so if that happens I might get the bus to and from work and get a 1.4 little petrol yoke as I don't do much driving really.

What does work
- cut out all short spins of a few hundred yards (local shop, library, Mass etc).
- get the bus into town if you are near a bus stop, eliminate parking charges too. Have only done this once in the last 10 years and there is a bus stop a hundred yards from home and town is only a mile and a half away.
- car pooling (obviously)
- servicing on time and before the car starts feeling like it's due a service

Seth Brundle

Tailgait very closely and reduce wind resistance*

















* don't try this folks!

Plug

I keep my engine running on 2 cylinders just disconnect the injectors, job done:pac:

squod

Siphon hose, crowbar and a three gallon container. Shop around for lower fuel costs.

Big Nasty

RoverJames wrote: »

Limiting my revs to 3000rpm max and gentle acceleration brought my mpg from 19ish to 21 ish mpg. I went back to giving plenty of right foot again so 19mpg is the average again. I spend €60/€70 a week on petrol so 10% saving isn't to be sneezed at but still it's not a hugely significant difference.

I would spend similar to you on fuel James but I enjoy driving too much to do the whole 'taxi driver quick gear change' thing. It costs me €10 / day to drive to and from work and I hit the loud whenever I want to and can. If I was to drive a little easier, saving me €6/€7 per week I would be better off driving a Micra and screwing the nuts outta it for 'emjoyment' - not gonna happen.

Big Nasty

kbannon wrote: »

Tailgait very closely and reduce wind resistance

And slingshot around just before you reach your exit!

I agree
I only did it for a tankful, was awful really, there's a hill just before work that I enjoy booting up it in the overtaking lane, for the efficent week I used to hit the cruise control at 30mph and crawl up it, awful awful awful. I love the noise off the (archaic :pac:)V6 in the ZT when the revs rise.

Merrion

Make sure your three are fully inflated and clear the cr@p from the boot..

JJJJNR

Ditching the 18's is a good start for better economy, I hear waxing your car regularly can decrease wind resistance, also not running a full tank of fuel, replacing you air filter regularly.

Don't use cruise control on long hilly parts or roads, do use cruise control on flat roads, change up in gear asap, inflate your tires, reduce your speed to 90kph.

Big Nasty

JJJJNR wrote: »

Ditching the 18's is a good start for better economy, I hear waxing your car regularly can decrease wind resistance, also not running a full tank of fuel, replacing you air filter regularly.

Don't use cruise control on long hilly parts or roads, do use cruise control on flat roads, change up in gear asap, inflate your tires, reduce your speed to 90kph.

You left out boring yourself to tears for the sake of a fiver!

JJJJNR

yep, its awful, and its the hardest thing to do, but in the spirit of the thread title and I used to live by the 180kph rule..

JJJJNR

JJJJNR wrote: »

Ditching the 18's is a good start for better economy,

f that, I like my 18s:pac:

JJJJNR wrote: »

I hear waxing your car regularly can decrease wind resistance,

I really doubt that would do much, better off skipping breakfast and having a large poo before getting in the car :pac:

JJJJNR wrote: »

also not running a full tank of fuel,

makes sense, carrying around the weight of a jockey without need would have an effect on small engined yokes

JJJJNR wrote: »

replacing you air filter regularly.

one of the most important things not to overlook when servicing

JJJJNR wrote: »

Don't use cruise control on long hilly parts or roads, do use cruise control on flat roads, change up in gear asap, inflate your tires, reduce your speed to 90kph.

these together with the clean air filter could make 10% savings for some folk.

Good suggestions sir

Cookie_Monster

get your fat ass on a treadmill

get the gf to drive her car so she has to pay for the fuel


And in best troll science mode: drive faster, the quicker you get there, the short period of time your engine is on, the less fuel it burns :pac:

garancafan

JJJJNR wrote: »

I used to live by the 180kph rule..

Would be grateful for an explanation of that rule.

PaulKK

RoverJames wrote: »

f that, I like my 18s:pac:

...
I really doubt that would do much, better off skipping breakfast and having a large poo before getting in the car :pac:

I LOL'd

blackbox

RoverJames wrote: »

I really doubt that would do much, better off skipping breakfast and having a large poo before getting in the car :pac:

Definitely don't do this after getting in the car!


.

Seth Brundle

eeeeewwwww
http://www.engadget.com/2005/05/28/indipod-in-car-toilet/

JJJJNR

garancafan wrote: »

Would be grateful for an explanation of that rule.

I made it up.

Bigus

you do this to your honda civic and get 95 mpg

http://ecomodder.com/

jaffa20

I always think about trying to increase my mpg by keeping the revs low and lowering speed on motorway but it's just too damn annoying and fun not to rev the mx5. So rather saving a few mpg, i'd rather just forget about and enjoy driving.

squod

kbannon wrote: »

Tailgait very closely and reduce wind resistance*

There's a special lane for that on the M50

Seth Brundle

Oh, I thought that it was all lanes except lane 1 (which very few drivers use)!

Owen

Buy my car

But seriously I use the throttle/coast/throttle/coast when I'm really trying to save, and it does make a huge difference to me. And with the Auto, I kick it into N every now and again on flats and downhills where I have momentum - it drops the throttle to idle, otherwise on the instantaneous mpg readout, it tells me I'm still using fuel even with my foot off the throttle.

Don't use aircon, don't use the radio up loud, all those sorts of things help, close the windows, check your pressures, have a mahoosive poo and pee before you leave. Burp a lot before you go. Wear thin socks, wear no shoes. In fact, go nekkid.

PaintDoctor

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Buy my car .............otherwise on the instantaneous mpg readout, it tells me I'm still using fuel even with my foot off the throttle.

Buying a diesel 75 would indeed be a frugal move for many

I don't have an instantaneous mpg reading on the ZT, only an average one (unless it's there and I don't know how to get to see it)

Mr Benevolent

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Buy my car

I would, but that price is mental for an '02 75, even if it's a Conn SE. I can source 3 in the UK that would cost a fair bit less than that to bring into the country. But €5250 for a 2002 car with meteoric depreciation? Heehaw!

I do hope you sell the car soon, but it'll be for closer to €3500 imo.

Confab

Confab wrote: »

I would, but that price is mental for an '02 75, even if it's a Conn SE....................

I do hope you sell the car soon, but it'll be closer to €3500 imo.

For a start they don't depreciate that much when they get to that age. No doubt the asking price has a tad of bargaining built in too. You won't find many with 85K miles on them either. I actually have seen PaintDoctors car a few times, most recently last Friday (Friar's walk 3pm ish, you were driving against me) and previously I have seen it parked up in Paul Street (months back). Savagely straight example.

It's a 45mpg+ rare estate in superb condition, it's not bad value at all, if I bought it I'd save €2000 in a year compared to the ZT. I'd get €2000 for the ZT so over €4000 isn't at all out of the way for a minty diesel tourer.

Cheaper in from the UK is neither here not there really.

Owen

Confab wrote: »

I would, but that price is mental for an '02 75, even if it's a Conn SE. I can source 3 in the UK that would cost a fair bit less than that to bring into the country. But €5250 for a 2002 car with meteoric depreciation? Heehaw!

I do hope you sell the car soon, but it'll be for closer to €3500 imo.

It won't be. There's 99 A4 estates selling (Actually selling) for up to 3k these days. I'll burn it before I sell it for 3500. It's value for what it is, and a great car. As RJ said, these cars have done all their depreciating at this stage - so 'meteoric depreciation' is a bit of a non-starter IMHO. I've already had one offer close to my asking today subject to him selling his own car already, and I've a trade bid on it for about 1.5k less which I'm not interested in, as he'll sell it for 1.5k more anyway.

Which ones can you get in with the same spec? Including VRT, transport costs, sterling conversion and time off work costs? I'm not being an ass, I'm genuinely curious.

bazz26

Here you go lads, pedal power while still being cool (and fit):



http://www.geekologie.com/2010/06/great_fuel_economy_terrible_ev.php

Duckjob

I've recently gone on an economy drive with the car.

While I didn't go overboard with the granny-driving (I get up to speed fairly briskly, then into high gear and cruise), I did cut out the sh**ty little 5-10 min trips that I had got into the habit of doing in the car and did them on foot instead. I've been simply amazed at how much longer a tank of fuel stretches out now....

I guess because those trips are all nearly always on a cold engine, and in built-up areas, over speed bumps etc, it's going to be seriously inefficent milage, as well as being hell in wear and tear on the engine itself...

Owen

Confab wrote: »

I can source 3 in the UK that would cost a fair bit less than that to bring into the country.

Just checked every touring on Pistonheads. Most basic I can find is still nearly 3k sterling, and that's baaaaasic. Most are selling for upwards of that. The only car I can find with a similar spec, is a 03 saloon, and that's 5k sterling. And still doesn't have all the toys mine has. Drop it back 1k for the difference in year and the fact that the tourer's more valuable, and my price (Which RJ's right, is negotiable) - is still realistic.

padma

My job is driving and I buy my own petrol, so it's been light foot for the past month or so. One thing we could do to make the pumps take notice of us is boycott a certain brand of petrol for one month ie, Topaz, then the next month Maxol etc. This would make them wake up a bit and take notice of who has the real buying power. I know I know its the governments tax that has us by the goolies but would a boycott of a certain brand make the govt see?

steph1

Well thats all fine and well boycotting a particular petrol station but what do you do when you drive for a living and the particular station is the only one open 24 hours and the next station is three quarters of an hour away. Unfortunately doesn't work like that

padma

steph1 wrote: »

Well thats all fine and well boycotting a particular petrol station but what do you do when you drive for a living and the particular station is the only one open 24 hours and the next station is three quarters of an hour away. Unfortunately doesn't work like that

I do drive for a living but fortunately I live in an urban population which has a choice. In your case you could make sure you are filled up before 11pm at night.

shedweller

Short trips are a killer. I use third of the fuel on a 4km return trip as i do on a 55km commute to work. That example wouldn't hold true for bigger engined cars but applies all the same.

So combine trips as best you can. Do the furthest away errand first if possible, then work your way back.

Carpooling. Not always doable but that halves your fuel bill straight away!

Use engine braking where possible. This is not to say drop gears and rev the nuts off the engine. Just lift off the throttle and let the engine slow you down. Used in conjunction with looking ahead as best you can and you will cut down fuel use. Not to mention brake wear.

Anticipation. Look ahead and see two or more cars in front of you. Did someone brake? Well duh, start engine braking!
Did the lights go red? Engine brake!

Turn off the engine at the lights. If you know the sequence and it's going to go green soon then leave it. Actually, wouldn't it be nice if the red light had a timer counting down to green? Then you could make an informed decision whether or not you should shut down the engine. I like...

PaintDoctor mentioned "pulse & glide" and it does work. But there are safety concerns (by some, not me...). You have to know what you're doing and be mega aware of your surroundings. But if you are serious about this then you will have been anyway!
Clutch wear is increased too but it's hard to get a figure on it.
I've tried P&G for a year but it got tiring on a commute. My fuel use was good though: 3.2L/100k tanks were regular. Now i don't P&G and get 3.4 to 3.5L/100k tanks. Hardly worth crying about to be honest but the pro's swear by it. I suppose if you had a guzzler a tiny difference would save a lot of juice.

Matt Simis mentioned undertrays. I have also dabbled in this and i think it did help but my tanks were lasting a month at the time so it was hard to tell what gains i got. They were small but i'm no aerodynamicist! Also, it would be a modification and i would wonder what an insurance company would have to say on the matter. If it's a green light from them then i will certainly look into it again.

What doesn't work?

Those stupid vane yokes that goes into your air intake. Does nothing except increase the risk of your engine inhaling metal.

The box of tricks that plugs into your cigarette lighter socket. I mean really..... Supposedly it evens out the voltage......

I'm tempted to say those low rolling resistance tyres but it's not strictly true. The do save fuel but you pay so much for them that you end up paying more overall. Whats the point?

HHO. Say no more.:pac:

Wolverine_1999

steph1 wrote: »

Well thats all fine and well boycotting a particular petrol station but what do you do when you drive for a living and the particular station is the only one open 24 hours and the next station is three quarters of an hour away. Unfortunately doesn't work like that

Planning and good organisation! (Oh wait that's not Irish..)

-Chris-

padma wrote: »

My job is driving and I buy my own petrol, so it's been light foot for the past month or so. One thing we could do to make the pumps take notice of us is boycott a certain brand of petrol for one month ie, Topaz, then the next month Maxol etc. This would make them wake up a bit and take notice of who has the real buying power. I know I know its the governments tax that has us by the goolies but would a boycott of a certain brand make the govt see?

Did you even read the opening post?? :rolleyes::)

Bullseye1

Empty the boot and car of unnecessary weight. The amount of rubbish people carry around in their boot could make the difference over a year.

Gulliver

If you have a big family, hold a daily lottery to see who gets dropped to school/work and who has to walk. €2 entry. You'll have fitter (albeit colder and wetter) kids, less passengers in the car and a steady income.

Drive really fast over speedbumps. When the car takes off, kill the engine. Has to be a big speedbump though.

+1 on the poo/pee but let's not forget the wimmins. Cut that long hair off if present and get rid of them bra yokes - there's metal in them! Ban handbags, jewellery and heavy makeup. Breathe out and hold breath when going up hills.

:pac:

Sesshoumaru

kbannon wrote: »

Tailgait very closely and reduce wind resistance*

















* don't try this folks!

Probably the way forward

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJwWBzfTnMk

cojomo2

[QUOTE=Gulliver;71107715 If you have a big family, hold a daily lottery to see who gets dropped to school/work and who has to walk.[/QUOTE]

Or better yet, hold a lottery to see who will be paying for the next refill:D

padma

-Chris- wrote: »

Did you even read the opening post?? :rolleyes::)

yes, but I had to throw it in :cool:

no1beemerfan

I currently have two cars on the road so I fill both tanks to the brim and drive both every other day. Makes it seem a long time till I have to fill up again giving me a false sense of not having to spend as much on petrol

maidhc

-Chris- wrote: »

...anything jumping out at you? Anyone have something to add??

Establish stable democracies in the Middle East!