Gas Savings Tips Tested. What Really Saves Gas? And How Much?

Edmunds.com says that by simply changing your driving habits you can improve fuel economy up to 37 percent.

They took several of the most common tips and tested them under real-world conditions. Some worked like a charm. Others didn’t work at all.

What worked:

• Aggressive Driving vs. Moderate Driving
  • Up to 37 percent savings, average savings of 31 percent
  • Recommendation: Stop driving like a maniac.
• Lower Speeds Saves Gas
  • Up to 14 percent savings, average savings of 12 percent
  • Drive the speed limit.
• Use Cruise Control
  • Up to 14-percent savings, average savings of 7 percent
  • If you’ve got it, use it.
• Avoid Excessive Idling
  • Avoiding excessive idling can save up to 19 percent
  • Stopping longer than a minute? Shut ‘er down.

What didn’t work:

• A/C On, Windows Up vs. A/C Off, Windows Down

  • No measurable difference (unless you open the sunroof, too!)
  • Please, make yourself comfortable.

• Check Your Tire Pressure

  • No measurable effect on the vehicles we tested
  • Check your tire pressure often but don’t expect a big savings.

Conclusions

The good news is that you can drastically improve your gas mileage. The caveat is that you have to change your driving habits. If you are willing to change, you’ll find many related benefits too: no speeding tickets, greater safety, reduced stress and lower repair bills for tires and brake pads. In the long run this will save you money. And who knows? You might like the new you.

HatTip to MyMoneyBlog helping me save some gas money.