Wikicars - User contributions [en]

User:UCristineWigginsf

2011-08-17T21:38:41Z

70.92.148.210:

Dummy

Talk:Tips for all drivers

2006-08-31T01:57:09Z

70.92.148.210:

Not all these tips are good ones. For example, if you aren't in a hybrid, turning off your car at a stoplight is a terrible idea, as starting your car uses quite a lot of fuel.

Similarly, turning your car off while going downhill is stupid. Any modern car cuts the fuel supply when you take your foot of the accelerator. Turning the car off means you have to turn it back on, burning excess gas in the process.

Good point about stoplights. But the article doesn't mention turning the car off downhill.
[[User:LuvWikis|LuvWikis]] 19:58, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

Ah, you are right. I was thinking that the language about "gliding to a stop" should be corrected. It is better to coast with the car in gear. If you take it out of gear, you are burning gas at idle. If you leave it in gear, you burn no gas at all.

Tips for all drivers

2006-08-27T15:06:44Z

70.92.148.210: /* Don't sit idle */

[[Image:Dollers_saved_per_year.gif|400px|right]]

===Drive conservatively===
Aggressive driving (speeding and rapid acceleration/braking) can lower your gas mileage by as much as 20%.

Glide to stops and accelerate slowly and evenly.

===Drive consistently===
Spend as much time at the same speed as possible. Mileage is worst during acceleration.

Use cruise control whenever possible, but only when the roads are flat.

===Slow down===
Each 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 mph can reduce your fuel economy by 10%.

===Stay tuned up===
Keep your engine running at its best, stick to all recommended maintenance intervals for things like spark plugs, spark plug wires, oils and filters.

===Keep cool===
Try to minimize the use of your air conditioning, especially in stop and go city driving. If you must run it, first drive with the windows open to get the extra hot air out, then make sure the AC is in recirculation mode (so it doesn't have to keep cooling incoming hot air) and set the temperature to something warmer than full cold.

On the highway, however, open windows do not impact fuel economy significantly compared to air conditioning, due to additional drag.

===Check your tire pressure===
Keeping tires inflated to the recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 5%.

===Unload your trunk===
The more weight you carry, the more energy required to move it.

===De-clutter the exterior===
Remove aftermarket bug and wind deflectors, and don't bother adding wings/spoilers, these things only add drag. If you have a removable roof rack, take it off when not in use.

===Treat your automatic like a manual===
When you're stuck in traffic or waiting at a long red light, drop your transmission into neutral so the engine doesn't have to strain against the torque converter.

===Combine chores and trips===
An engine runs most efficiently when warmed up. If possible begin with the furthest away stop (to maximize warm-up time), then make additional stops on the way back.

Talk:Tips for all drivers

2006-08-27T15:06:14Z

70.92.148.210: