Get More Miles Per Dollar
“Expert Fuel-Saving Tips: How to Get More Miles Per Dollar.”
From “Top Tier” gas to the truth about stop-start systems, a Consumer Reports tester shares the science-backed habits that can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
If you haven’t met me on Instagram, TikTok, or the “Talking Cars With Consumer Reports” podcast, I’m Stef Schrader, reporter and tester of cars at Consumer Reports. My love for everything automotive has taken me all over: I’ve been an automotive reviewer for over a decade, covered motorsports as a journalist, and cared for historic and high-performance vehicles. I’ve also driven in cheap-car endurance races and cross-country rallies, where I’ve tested the true limits of a fuel tank. But you don’t have to keep a 1971 Volkswagen 411 on track for an 8-hour race day to know how to drive for fuel savings. Here are the tips I’ve learned that I’d recommend to anyone looking to get more miles per dollar.
How Much Gas Does Speeding Actually Waste?
You know the usual reasons to drive the speed limit (it’s safer and you’ll avoid a pricey ticket!), but it can also significantly improve your car’s efficiency.
When CR measured fuel economy at different highway speeds, we found the miles-per-gallon difference between 55 and 75 mph was equivalent to trading a compact car for a large SUV. On the flip side, slowing down by just 10 mph at highway speeds reduced fuel consumption by as much as 8 mpg. In a car that gets 35 mpg, that’s savings of about $400 a year at $4 per gallon.
How Does Smooth Acceleration Save Gas?
The more you push the accelerator pedal, the more fuel the engine uses. Accelerating hard makes the engine and transmission run inefficiently, wasting gas. So don’t stomp on the gas pedal. Instead, whenever possible, press it slowly and smoothly. The idea is to conserve energy by keeping a steady pace.
More Info at:
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/expert-fuel-saving-tips-how-to-get-more-miles-per-dollar-a1096060259/
