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Not true in so many ways... (Reply to this comment)
by jazztrumpet216
First of all, the higher the octane, the more the fuel resists burning. It does NOT burn earlier, it burns LATER.
Secondly (and this one's directed at one of the comments rather than the original review), most, if not all modern cars use knock sensors. Not just the Taurus SHO. Not sure where you got that one from.
Thirdly and finally, advocating someone leave any oil in a crankcase for 15,000 miles is dangerous advice. There is no reason to believe that Mobil 1 can last that long universally in an application without backing that up with a Used Oil Analysis complete with a Total Base Number (TBN). Doing so can result in engine damage if you do lots of short trips or drive under other conditions that are hard on engine oil.
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Feb 17 '08
6:43 pm PST
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Irresponsible advice (Reply to this comment)
by smithpic
I cannot believe you said this: “Also, if you have a wing on the back of your car, take it off. It has been proven that those things do nothing for a normal car's aerodynamics and look pretty stupid to boot.”
There are an awful lot of vehicles out there that rely on aerodynamic devices (such as “wings” as you call them) for safety reasons (namely stability at higher speeds, especially in road conditions that offer limited grip).
Frankly I find it staggering you’re allowed the publish such a suggestion on this site… Who would be liable if the average (lets say current Volkswagen Beetle) car owner was to remove the “wing” from the vehicle and then promptly rotate their car on the highway in the rain? If they lived, and said it happened due to your advice, do you have the technical knowledge or indeed any qualification to back up your advice?
Sorry, but this worries me.
Paul Smith
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Dec 17 '06
2:53 pm PST
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this is a great review! (Reply to this comment)
by firstcontact21
With amazing suggestions!
Well done.
Cheers,
- Steve
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Mar 08 '06
11:52 am PST
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Octane selection (Reply to this comment)
by bogartman
I would like to comment on selecting the proper fuel octane for your vehicle.
Unless you have modified your vehicle to use a different type of fuel, you should use the type of fuel specified in the owner's manual.
Although combustion is initiated by a spark plug, gasoline engines count on compression ignition somewhat to burn the entire fuel charge completely. If you are using higher octane fuel than the engine was designed/tuned for, it will have a higher resistance to compression ignition, and will not burn as thoroughly as the proper octane fuel would.
The result of running too high an octane is that some amount of unburned fuel is dumped out the exhaust. The immediate effects are reduced performance and fuel economy. In the longer term, incomplete combustion can foul your o2 sensor(s) and even eat your catalytic converter(s) eventually.
A few cars (like the Taurus SHO) are equipped with a knock sensor, and are designed to adapt their ignition timing to get the best use out of whatever fuel you fill up with. Cars like that are pretty rare though.
One of my favorite tricks to get more performance out of a car for free essentially is to advance the ignition timing and run higher-octane fuel. Sure, higher octane fuel costs more, but a gallon of it should get you further down the road too since it makes more power. However I wouldn't recommend trying this unless you're confident in what you're doing.
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Jan 20 '06
10:32 am PST
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Re: The long and the short of it! (Reply to this comment)
by fritz_t_coyote
"Take the inside lane when you can. "
Don't tell me you are advising people to be snoozing along at the speed limit in the left-hand lane.
PLEASE stay to the right, so that folks who have more money than time can pass you safely.
Thanks
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Sep 29 '05
10:42 am PDT
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Good suggestions - some comments on the octane thing (Reply to this comment)
by Bradman
Those were some good ideas about conserving gas. As far as the octane thing goes, it is a measure of how "hard" it is to ignite the gas. Higher octane can get to a higher temperature before ignition. During the compression stroke of your engine the air/fuel is heated up because it is getting squeezed very quickly. Some high performance engines have high compression, to get more power from the same gasoline amount, this can cause the gas to ignite before the spark plug fires. This is called detonation and is pretty bad for the engine (imagine a large force pressing on the piston while it is still trying to go up in the compression stroke). You usually hear this as knocking or pinging during acceleration. High octane and low octane gas have the same avaialble energy, the high octane can just be made to do a bit more in the right engine.
Basically you only need to use the octane gas that your car was designed for. Our Honda minvan requires premium but our Honda civic only needs the cheap suff. Putting the expensive stuff in our civic won't do anything special, but putting the cheap suff in our minivan would probably cause pinging (the engine management system can do some things to help compensate for the lower octane but then you are always fighting a battle and your engine probably wont run exactly right).
Keep up the good reviews,
Bradman
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Sep 18 '05
7:52 pm PDT
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The long and the short of it! (Reply to this comment)
by iidays
A & Very comprehensive report!!
To add also that those who are extremely interested in the keys to saving fuel when driving.
Maintenance stops prior to the trip can make a big difference by observing a couple of "EXTRA" details.
If your buying your own parts dont pick one just to save money check with your machanic.
If the part comes in a can- That goes double ,no triple`!!! Ask Your Machanic "IF" Thats GOOD FOR "YOUR CAR".
Giving extra attention to your first 1/4 to 1 full mile your into, at either end of your trip to avoid accidents. Extra lane changing, other new traffic, getting lost, other little changes that lead to accidents.
They can all lead to useing
"alternative vehicles.
"
That same familiarity comes at anytime of the trip if you have made it many times, as that first 1/4 mile. Use your cell phone wisely and put it down or drop it and pull over to safety .
Have your maintenace completed 50 miles ahead or a couple of days back and forth from work before the long trip. Parts are defective sometimes.
Lastly, do not draft or tailgate.
Take the inside lane when you can. Stay out of the ruff and bumpy lanes.
Use your reaview to help look ahead.
The car in front may stop.
Where higher speeds are exceptable safe speed limmits , the down hill can pick up speed to help add a coast on the up!!!
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Jun 24 '05
5:36 pm PDT
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Re: Pickup tailgates (Reply to this comment)
by ra64,  in Cars & Motorsports
I've also heard from multiple sources that putting the tailgate down does not really help fuel mileage, particularly on newer model pickups. In addition keeping the tailgate down could be a safety hazard. This is the reason that most manufacturers do not recommend putting the tailgate down. But hey, I don't have a wind tunnel either, so I could be wrong.
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Apr 24 '03
12:48 pm PDT
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Great tips. (Reply to this comment)
by msmorvay
I have one more for ya. When filling up your tank do it in the early morning before sun has reached its peak or in the evening after the sun has left its peak. Gasoline evaporates into the hot sun you are actually getting less gas in your tank for the same money if you fill up while the sun is there to suck up the gasoline. I learned this in some frugality book somewhere. I love reviews like your because I love to read about saving money. Thanks
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Apr 21 '03
9:15 am PDT
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Re: -------------- (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
You are too kind Jack!
Liz
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Apr 21 '03
8:57 am PDT
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Re: In all seriousness... (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
You are so right about K&N air filters. I increased my mileage by 2 MPG when I bought mine. I do recommend warming your car up though for at least 1 to 2 minute before driving. Driving a vehicle when it is cold can make for some harsh mechanical stress.. I like to get my fluids throughly running before I drive.. Thanks for the comment.
Liz
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Apr 21 '03
8:57 am PDT
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Re: you forgot... (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
HA HA HA....Or the Beverly Hillbilly's ranch.
Liz
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Apr 21 '03
8:53 am PDT
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Re: Also... (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
Good tips, though I have never heard that using your lights uses gas.
Liz
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Apr 21 '03
8:52 am PDT
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Re: Fantastic . . . (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
Thanks RedDiva!!
Liz
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Apr 21 '03
8:50 am PDT
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In all seriousness... (Reply to this comment)
by pearl-drum-man
excellent observations, some I'm sure a lot of people don't think about. I've been quite miserly with fuel since I bought the Jeep, I get a consistent 19.5 mpg, which is better than advertised, and a lot of the things I do you have mentioned. Though the winter months have almost past another fuel waster is "warming up" your car.
A couple more proactive, but longterm things are a K&N filter, and intake/exhaust enhancements.
PDM
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Apr 19 '03
5:32 pm PDT
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you forgot... (Reply to this comment)
by pearl-drum-man
the biggest way to save on fuel prices...invade Iraq! :)
PDM
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Apr 19 '03
5:26 pm PDT
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Also... (Reply to this comment)
by hyundai_fan
Another way to save on gas is to carpool. Maybe you would have lower milage on your car with the extra weight, but at least they aren't using the gas themselves, which also helps the enviroment and the traffic on the roads.
Don't let your car warm up in the mornings. If the windows are covered with ice, that's when I say warm-it-up, but if they aren't, that extra gas wasted in the morning can be used to drive that extra mile.
Constant use of the accelerator can also lower economy. This links to the next piece of info, but use your Overdrive gear in your vehicle if you have one.
If possible, try to get your car to drive in the Overdrive mode as much as possible. The engine and wheels will run at a 1:2 ratio, where the engine is running half the speed of the wheels, which means that the vehicle isn't using as much gas to keep the engine up at a high speed.
Get this: HEADLIGHTS, yes headlights, use gasoline as well. The more you use your headlights, it makes the alternator run harder, which needs more gas to work it.
Liz, I gave this epinion a VH rating. Loved the top ten, and I always try to help save gas. Never heard about the gas cap bit before, but I'll keep that in mind too. Great job.
~Hyundai_Fan
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Apr 18 '03
1:42 pm PDT
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Fantastic . . . (Reply to this comment)
by RedDiva
. . . advice, as usual! Thanks, Liz!
~ Deb
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Apr 18 '03
12:57 pm PDT
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Re: Good advice (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
Thanks Gloria! Walking is a great way to travel!
xoxoxo
Liz
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Apr 18 '03
10:36 am PDT
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Good advice (Reply to this comment)
by glomarrone
Hi,
We have a Website here in Westchester that keeps track of fuel prices. II always consult it before I fill up. I also try to make one day errand day and do all my short stops in one trip. I also walk 4 miles a day and often walk to nearby stores instead of taking the car. I accomplish two things at once.
Good advice for saving on fuel costs. I really enjoyed it.
gloria
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Apr 18 '03
9:59 am PDT
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Re: Pickup tailgates (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
I've never taken a truck though a wind tunnel, though the bubble idea seems a bit absurd, but who knows.. Until I read that keeping your tailgate up will save on fuel economy from the EPA I think I'll stick with my gut feeling.
Thanks for the comment!
xoxoxo
Liz
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Apr 18 '03
8:53 am PDT
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Re: I had heard.. (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
Staysee, I did the say thing for over a year...Don't tell anyone ok!
xoxoxo
Liz
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Apr 18 '03
8:46 am PDT
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Re: Yeh...and keep your butt home! (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
Lou I'm glad my review could provide you with some therapeutic venting, ha!
xoxoxo
Liz
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Apr 18 '03
8:44 am PDT
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Pickup tailgates (Reply to this comment)
by pvreditor, in Cars & Motorsports
I've heard mixed things about pickup tailgates over the years. Although it is common sense that a vertical piece of metal (the inside of the tailgate) causes a lot of drag, I read a discussion from a Ford engineer a few years ago who said that a bubble of air forms in the back of a moving pickup that is more slippery than a lowered tailgate.
Having the tailgate up and latched also makes for a bit better structural rigidity. This might be particularly important for off-roaders.
Like always, Liz, great advice. Thanks for sharing!
--Bob
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Apr 18 '03
5:38 am PDT
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I had heard.. (Reply to this comment)
by staysee
about #9 and only use the regular unleaded in my car. I don't deserve to own my car LOL..right now I have a battery leak and rather than take it to get fixed I keep pouring coke on it to get rid of the corrosion. I know..I know..tsk tsk tsk :(.
staysee
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Apr 18 '03
5:31 am PDT
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Yeh...and keep your butt home! (Reply to this comment)
by lllopez
Not all the time.. just plan your day, avoid 2-3 stops at the Food Market or drive a block to pick up the kids...besides the exercise will do you good! And while we're at it, stop running the water full throttle while your brushing your teeth..you can use all that water to wash your SUV! Ahhhhh.... thanks for letting me vent!
Great review...as always Liz!
Lou
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Apr 18 '03
4:56 am PDT
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Re: #11 & #12: Taken from the school of hard knocks. (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
lol.. Good additions.. Thanks for the comment.
Liz
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Apr 17 '03
9:58 pm PDT
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Re: Thank you! (Reply to this comment)
by shoplmart, in Cars & Motorsports
Hi Ann, thanks for the comment, hope this helps.
Liz
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Apr 17 '03
9:57 pm PDT
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#11 & #12: Taken from the school of hard knocks. (Reply to this comment)
by aashok
#11
Forget to do regular maintenance service on your El Camino so you are forced to get out and push for 2.5 miles. (not much but you do save on gas)
#12
Back in the old country, we would just strap a strong bull to the front axle. The savings are enormous. But for some reason, my front grill had a strange odor.
:)
But seriously, I like your review. It has some good common sense tips.
Write on,
Ashok
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Apr 17 '03
9:37 pm PDT
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Thank you! (Reply to this comment)
by AEOakley
These are great tips! I wouldn't have thought about the fact that things like open windows, extra "cargo," etc., would make a difference in gas mileage.
Ann
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Apr 17 '03
8:04 pm PDT
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