Gas is quickly becoming an exorbitantly expensive commodity, and most people will do anything to save just a few dollars on it. This may mean driving out of ones way and waiting in long lines for just a few cents of savings per gallon.
To avoid the pumps, many people have adapted methods to become more fuel efficient drivers. These people call themselves hypermilers, and using a few cheap and easy techniques they have increased their fuel efficiency dramatically.
Take the following quiz to determine how fuel efficient your driving is, and what you can do to improve it.
For maximum fuel efficiency, how fast should you drive when the speed limit is 70 miles per hour on the freeway?
The slower you go, the more fuel efficient you will be.
That is not to say you should disrupt the flow of traffic. That would be dangerous. Instead, its far better to drive the speed limit and yield to cars that are not as interested in being as fuel efficient as you are. It may also be useful if you have the patience to drive 5 mph below the speed limit in the slow lane. This allows you to save a great deal of gas, and stay out of the way of faster moving drivers.
Which of the following is best for fuel efficiency?
Tires that are filled to the maximum recommended pressure are the best for saving fuel. In fact, just one pound less pressure in the tires can reduce efficiency by 1.4 percent.
But beware the cost of high tire pressure. The more inflated the tire, the less it touches the ground. This translates into decreased traction and a longer stopping distance.
When at a stop sign or light for more than 7 seconds, its a good idea to turn off the engine.
True.
It is a general rule of thumb that, if you are going to be stopped for a while, you should turn your engine off. It takes seven seconds of fuel to restart an engine. If you suspect that you will be at a light or a sign for more than seven seconds, it would be comparatively better to turn off your engine.
Of the following, which costs you the most gas mileage?
Driving with unnecessary weight on your car is one of the worst things you could do.
Excess weight costs you gas. Consider taking all of that old ski equipment off of the roof. Not only is it weighing down your car, its also affecting the cars aerodynamics, essentially making the car work harder to get to where its going.
How often should you go for a tune-up?
As often as is recommended for your model.
Getting a tune up is never a bad idea. Like getting a check up at the doctors office, getting a tune up is great for preventing problems before they surface. A car that is in good working order is essential for maximizing fuel efficiency. The money you spend at the tune up will be offset by the amount you will save on gas.
Of the following, which is best for conserving fuel?
Drive at a constant speed.
The less you have to press the accelerator or the break the better. Most importantly, avoid making dead stops. Getting your car going again from a stopped position requires a lot of energy. That is not to say you should run red lights. Rather, its a good idea to approach a light more slowly, and take your food off the accelerator sooner. Similarly, in traffic you should leave a large buffer zone between you and the cars around you. This will allow you to coast uninterrupted by breaking.
Which of these parking options costs the least fuel?
A parking spot that requires the least amount of maneuvering is best. In general, both pull in parking and pull through parking require relatively little maneuvering. Pull through parking, however, requires the least.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the higher the RPMs of your engine, the better.
The higher the engine speed, the more gas you are using. Try putting your car into higher gears to avoid revving your engine too much. If, for instance, you shift at 3,000 RPMs rather than 4,000 RPMs, you will experience an approximately 5.5 percent increase in fuel efficiency depending on the type of car you own. This technique is useful for driving at lower speeds and in stop-and-go traffic.
Of the following, which is worst for fuel efficiency?
Driving with the air conditioner on. Driving with the air conditioner off may be uncomfortable, but it is useful for conserving gas. If you just cant live without your air conditioning, try turning it off when you are accelerating from a dead stop, and turning it back on again when you have regained a relatively constant speed.
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