If the gas pedal has to stay close to the floor to maintain speed, you probably belong in the next lower gear. If your manual-transmission car has an upshift indicator, use it as a guide.
Using signals from the engine, transmission, and accelerator pedal, the indicator tells you exactly when to upshift to maintain greatest efficiency, and thus top economy. When the engine speed is high compared to the position of the accelerator pedal, the shift indicator lamp signals that you can get the same performance with less fuel by shifting up without losing power. Tests conducted by Saab and the EPA compared operation of cars that had an upshift indicator to those that did not.
In the EPA city-driving test, use of the indicator yielded an average gas mileage improvement of more than 9 percent. Even without such an indicator, you should shift into a higher gear sooner than you normally would and use fifth gear as much as possible to stretch your fuel. Because tachometers are no longer limited to performance models, more drivers than ever have a chance to pay attention to engine speed as well as road speed.
This allows you to find the engine's most efficient rpm and stay close to that point whenever feasible. What speed is that? The exact figure depends on the engine but is typically the speed at which it produces the greatest torque output.
For economy's sake, it's generally wise to remain below 3, rpm most of the time and to shift into the next gear before the engine gets much beyond its optimum rpm level. Too low an engine speed does nothing for your finances, so running below 1, isn't ordinarily a good idea. No rule says you have to use each gear of your manual transmission every time, going through a never-changing sequence.
Try going directly from first to third skipping second ; or go from second to fourth without using third. This technique is especially useful if heavy traffic has caused you to rev too high in the lower gear already, as when merging onto an expressway from the entry lane. An automatic transmission liberates you from shifting gears yourself, but nothing is free, and an engine must work a little harder and use a bit more gas to transmit power through an automatic transmission than a manual.
For proof, look no further than EPA fuel economy estimates, which are invariably lower for an automatic transmission than for that same vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. Still, there are some things you can do to maximize fuel efficiency in an automatic-transmission vehicle.
During acceleration, listen as the engine note rises and then falls to get a sense of when the transmission is reaching the "top" of one gear ratio and changing down to the next lower ratio. Also, watch the needle on the tachometer climb up the rpm range and descend correspondingly.
Remember, the higher the rpm, the more fuel you're burning. Some automatic transmissions tend to stay in lower gears a little too long for peak economy. You can sometimes coax the transmission into shifting to high gear earlier than usual by letting up on the gas as you pass 30 mph or so. Then, once it's in top gear, continue to accelerate very gradually. Virtually all manual and automatic transmissions have an overdrive gear that can be employed to save fuel. It's usually the highest-numbered gear or gears , and it lets the engine run at a slower speed or lower rpm while the car maintains the same road speed.
The right time to pump fuel is in early morning or late afternoon, since the fuel will be thicker than normal. It is essential not to pump too full to avoid leaking gas. Hopefully 9 awesome tips will help you in saving fuel for your car. If you have any question, leave us a comment in the box below. Driving Tips. Maintenance Tips. Car Review. Car Comparison. Industry knowledge. Last updated Dec 30, Check Tire Pressures Flat tire consumes a lot fuel photo source: Douglas Automotive It is recommended to check your car tire pressures at least once every month.
Schedule Your Trip Schedule the way before going will reduce fuel consumption photo source: Autogids Before going anywhere, it is necessary to calculate the traveling road and time to avoid getting lost and fuel consumption.
Turn The AC Off If Possible Car air conditioner consumes a lot of fuel photo source: Master Mechanic If the weather is comfortable, car owners is suggested to turn off the air conditioner.
By keeping your tires properly inflated, you can improve your gas mileage by 0. Some fleets use nitrogen inflation, tire pressure monitoring systems standard equipment in light-duty vehicles newer than model year , and other technologies to maintain optimum tire pressure. To find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle, you can refer to the tire specifications provided by the manufacturer. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
Also, you may select motor oil that contains friction-reducing additives that improve fuel economy; look for oil labeled "Resource Conserving" on the American Petroleum Institute service symbol.
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