5 Gas-Saving myths that i was tricked into believing ;)
I came across these twice in the past few days - once on a pf site which i can't remember for the life of me, and the other in this month's Money Magazine - so I'm taking it as a sign to share :) Some of these i've fell for, and others are brand spankin' new (and interesting) to me.
While i usually don't know what to believe out there, I'm sure these "experts" know what they're talking about. That's actually a pretty cool job if you think about it - going around proving myths aren't true! I wonder how much you get paid for that? They probably just go around asking experts in certain fields for their opinion....that makes more sense, but it's not as fun to think about ;)
Anyways, it's always good to separate a little fact from fiction, so here are the truths behind some of those gas-saving myths:
1. Gas up in the morning
I'll have to admit i've never heard this one before, but it has something to do with fluids being more dense in colder temperatures. So if you fill 'er up early on, you'll get more "gas molecules" for your money. Apparently the temperature of the gasoline straight out of the nozzel doesn't fluctuate much though, so it really doesn't matter. Oh well, it was a good try!
2. Change your air filter
Now THIS one i hear alllll the time! In fact, i heard it 2 weeks ago when changing out my oil at one of those Lube Centers (which i LOVE btw, you're in and out in 15 mins if you can beat the lines, and they check everything!) While changing your filter is good to do every now and then, the myth-busters say it doesn't help on gas. "Modern engines have sensors that adjust the fuel-air mixture as an increasingly clogged filter chokes off the oxygen supply". Huh. Interesting...unless you have an older car eh?
3. Use premium fuel
Same goes with this bad boy, your engine sensors can detect the lower-octane fuel and adjust accordingly. This only applies if the manual says premium gas is "recommended". If it says it's required - then you should DEFINITELY stick to that.
4. Put in an additive
A definite nope on this one unfortunately...and I'll be the first to admit i've tried a number of them out there! The idea of it is just so quick and easy, ya know? Oh well, guess we'll have to kiss those secret sauces away for now...at least it'll save a few bucks not putting it in anymore ;)
5. Avoid the AC
If you're driving in town, then it works! (hooray). BUT, if you're speeding along the highway, you might as well forget it. Keeping the windows down affects your mileage just as much because it causes aerodynamic drag...so you might as well choose your fav. option at that point - either way it just sucks. It also sucks that one of my boys told me this a few years ago and i just laughed it off....oops.
And there you have it, 5 myths all cleared up for ya! While it's no fair there aren't any secrets out there, at least you can concentrate on other ways to save on gas now - driving smoother, no heavy stop and go action, carpooling, riding public transportation, etc.
And who knows, I bet someone's devising a little somethin' somethin' as we speak to help alleviate our gas crisis! ***Thirsting for more? Click for a randomly generated post!
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While i usually don't know what to believe out there, I'm sure these "experts" know what they're talking about. That's actually a pretty cool job if you think about it - going around proving myths aren't true! I wonder how much you get paid for that? They probably just go around asking experts in certain fields for their opinion....that makes more sense, but it's not as fun to think about ;)
Anyways, it's always good to separate a little fact from fiction, so here are the truths behind some of those gas-saving myths:
1. Gas up in the morning
I'll have to admit i've never heard this one before, but it has something to do with fluids being more dense in colder temperatures. So if you fill 'er up early on, you'll get more "gas molecules" for your money. Apparently the temperature of the gasoline straight out of the nozzel doesn't fluctuate much though, so it really doesn't matter. Oh well, it was a good try!
2. Change your air filter
Now THIS one i hear alllll the time! In fact, i heard it 2 weeks ago when changing out my oil at one of those Lube Centers (which i LOVE btw, you're in and out in 15 mins if you can beat the lines, and they check everything!) While changing your filter is good to do every now and then, the myth-busters say it doesn't help on gas. "Modern engines have sensors that adjust the fuel-air mixture as an increasingly clogged filter chokes off the oxygen supply". Huh. Interesting...unless you have an older car eh?
3. Use premium fuel
Same goes with this bad boy, your engine sensors can detect the lower-octane fuel and adjust accordingly. This only applies if the manual says premium gas is "recommended". If it says it's required - then you should DEFINITELY stick to that.
4. Put in an additive
A definite nope on this one unfortunately...and I'll be the first to admit i've tried a number of them out there! The idea of it is just so quick and easy, ya know? Oh well, guess we'll have to kiss those secret sauces away for now...at least it'll save a few bucks not putting it in anymore ;)
5. Avoid the AC
If you're driving in town, then it works! (hooray). BUT, if you're speeding along the highway, you might as well forget it. Keeping the windows down affects your mileage just as much because it causes aerodynamic drag...so you might as well choose your fav. option at that point - either way it just sucks. It also sucks that one of my boys told me this a few years ago and i just laughed it off....oops.
And there you have it, 5 myths all cleared up for ya! While it's no fair there aren't any secrets out there, at least you can concentrate on other ways to save on gas now - driving smoother, no heavy stop and go action, carpooling, riding public transportation, etc.
And who knows, I bet someone's devising a little somethin' somethin' as we speak to help alleviate our gas crisis! ***Thirsting for more? Click for a randomly generated post!
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posted by J. Money at
10:16 AM
10 Comments:
I have to disagree about the air filter thing. I switched to a K&N filter and my gas mileage improved (between 2-5 mpg).
Oh wow, really?! That is H-O-T. how much do those filters go for? I'll need to replace mine anyways on the next oil change, so it may be worth it.
Thx for letting us know!
K&N filters are expensive (I think mine was about $40), but you don't have to throw them away (clean them every 50,000 miles). I switched from the paper filter to K&N for the environment, but my gas mileage really jumped up. It was worth the investment for me.
The gas stations in MA and RI seem to have lower prices early in the morning (like before 6am).
Especially if there's 2 competing gas stations right across the street from one another.
I don't know why this is, but I drive by a handful of gas stations on the way to work and on the way home, and I watch their prices go up and down like clockwork every day.
There's one set of competing gas stations where one station is open before 6, and the other is NOT. The one that is open jacks his prices up a good 5-10 cents a gallon before 6am.
Bunch o' thievin' bastages.
I can give you one thing NOT to try, this:
http://www.airaid.com/Spacers.aspx
It looks cool and I fell for it. It actually lowered my mileage about 1-2mpg. It also made an annoying whistle sound.
Hey - I have been working on a national fuel efficiency campaign and I am one of the many people who has researched gas myths. It is a very difficult process - but a gas myths, gas tips, and resources page have been created (links on my blog). There are some coupons on the campaign website for air filters, motor oil, and spark plugs for those interested...
Savingdiva - thx! I'll look into that for sure... 50k? damn.
michael - that is SO funny! And interesting ;) you should totally hook it up early in that case...and agreed - them dirty gas peddlers...haha.
C Money - love the name first off! I found this license plate one time that actually had that name on it!!! for some reason it was laying on the ground all bent up...You ever go into VA by any chance? Also, thx for the advice! that whistling would drive me MAD.
Jalyin - Thanks girl! And that's so funny YOU research these myths!! Seriously, that is awesome. I'll check out your site fo sho.
Was it my blog by chance?
http://www.singleguymoney.com/2008/05/6-gas-saving-myths.html
Mythbusters (the TV show) did a couple of gas myths - one of them mentioned above.
They tested gas mileage with AC vs. windows downed, and they busted this myth. The AC burned more gas than with the windows down. I did fine fault with one thing though. They left the AC on full-blast. Normal users do not do this. Most people crank it up until it cools down and then turn it down to a comfortable level. I wish they would retest under normal AC conditions. I still refute their conclusion. I use my AC.
The other myth they tested involved riding with the tailgate down vs. up on a pickup truck OR using a "net" across the tailgate instead of having the tailgate up. They busted this too. Riding with the tailgate up provided the best gas mileage. The reason is that the air in the bed of the truck creates a spiraling effect inside of it. To illustrate, thing how leaves spiral around in the back of the bed instead of being blown out. The new air from driving is forced up and over - past the tailgate. When the tailgate is down, this stream presses down on the lowered tailgate, creates drag, and lowers gas mileage. I was surprised by this one. I don't know if I explained it real well, but I am sure the Mythbusters website or their fan forum explains it a little more. The same was true with the net....using a net lowers gas mileage - despite what they say on the package. I guess the automakers actually put some thought into the whole aerodynamics thing when they put that tailgate up - or perhaps they just got lucky.
singleguymoney - nope not yours, although i have been checking out your site latley :)
Chad Bordeaux - oh yeah, you explained it pretty well! I remember watching that show before, but my A.D.H.D. wouldn't let me watch them straight through. haha... thx for the good info!
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