ALT-12 What you can do to Save Money on Gas
The question should really read "What can you do to reduce fuel consumption in your vehicle?"
There are many and varied ways of stretching out the fuel in your tank, most of which save you pennies at best. The most obvious causes of excessive fuel consumption are poorly serviced vehicles, excessive speed, and excessive acceleration and braking. Just keeping your vehicle serviced properly and adjusting the way you drive can do wonders for the old fuel bill every week. However, there are some more drastic ways of reducing fuel consumption that require financial outlay elsewhere, but the long term savings can make the initial expenditure worthwhile if you plan to keep the vehicle for a few years.
The first expense is to change that engine-driven viscous cooling fan for a nice electric model that runs only when it is needed. The engine will maintain a more constant temperature and without the viscous fan dragging on the engine it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by up to 25%! For a vehicle fitted with a gas sucking V8 that is not to be sniffed at.
Changing the factory induction and exhaust system for a quality free-flow system helps the engine breath better, and combining this with a remapped ECU will give a much more efficient mix of fuel and air. It will also help the engine develop more horsepower which means that it won't have to work so hard to drag you along the highway.
Check out the possibilities of an Autogas (LPG) conversion. Autogas is cheaper than ordinary gas (petrol) and if you have a vehicle fitted with a thirsty V8 it won't take long for the conversion to pay for itself. Autogas is also a much cleaner fuel with regard to pollution. The downside is that using Autogas can result in a small loss of power and slightly increased consumption but this is more than compensated for by the cost of the fuel.
Keep the air con off unless absolutely necessary. Running the compressor sucks fuel.
Keep your tyres properly inflated.
Don't cruise with the windows down. You might as well have a parachute tied to the rear end.
Try and keep the vehicle moving. Stop-start driving uses fuel much quicker.
If you stuck in standing traffic and your going to be there for the duration turn the motor off. It saves the fuel and your not pumping dirt into the air like most of the people round you.
Remember, most vehicle are at their most economic at around 56 - 60MPH (around 2500 - 3000RPM).
I manage to travel some quite long distances on some very minimal amounts of fuel. I acheive it by keeping the vehicle moving, preferably at around 60MPH, and by sitting in the slipstream of large vehicles like trucks and buses. Wind resistance (drag) plays the biggest role in fuel consumption. Sitting in a hole in the air created by a bigger vehicle can work wonders. If you get it right you can feel yourself being pulled along by the vehicle in front so you need to pay attention because you can suddenly find youself catching up real quick! When another Big Rig comes past you travelling a bit quicker you can drop in behind. It can get to be a bit of fun trying to get yourself a better tow up the road, but try not to follow the same Rig for too long cos some drivers get a bit twitchy when they realise you've been glued to their rear end for the last twenty miles!
