| iv id="body"> | | | | fluid, differential gear oil and wheel bearing grease. |
| There are two major categories in fuel savings: | | | | This advice -- to use the best synthetic lubricants -- |
| - driving habits | | | | is rarely heard, yet it's an easy area to save money. |
| - vehicle maintenance/upgrades | | | | You save in routine maintenance costs, long-term |
| First, DRIVING HABITS: | | | | maintenance costs, time-in-the-shop, and of course in |
| | | | fuel economy. But unfortunately it's not a simple area |
| 1. Anticipate, use your brakes less, and don't | | | | to understand. So here's a brief primer on synthetic |
| accelerate quickly. Look far down the road ahead, | | | | lubricants: |
| even if "far" is a city block. Get into turn-lanes | | | | The number of vehicle owners turning to synthetic |
| smoothly and early: avoid accelerating to get in front | | | | engine oil has increased dramatically, because |
| of traffic. Anticipate stops or slow-downs ahead and | | | | consumers are learning that synthetics are better |
| take your foot off the gas: try to coast much more | | | | than petroleum products in every way, BY DESIGN. |
| than you brake. Additional coasting distance saves | | | | More vehicle owners are beginning to realize what |
| fuel and extends brake-pad life. Remember: he who | | | | the OEM's and quick-lubes don't want them to know: |
| leaves stoplight quickest pays more at pump. | | | | that full synthetics can cut wear rates in half and |
| 2. Use Cruise Control. It saves fuel and speeding | | | | outperform traditional oil for up to 35,000 miles |
| tickets. But it's not just for cruising. The "Resume" | | | | between oil changes. |
| button can give you decent acceleration without | | | | But consumers don't realize THREE KEY THINGS: |
| wasting fuel. | | | | First, that the benefits of synthetics extend to every |
| 3. Overdrive and gear selection. If your automatic has | | | | lubrication area in the vehicle. For example, most |
| Overdrive, use it. If you have a manual transmission, | | | | transmissions fail because their transmission fluid has |
| shift early to keep engine rpm's lower and always | | | | failed, either because the fluid hasn't been changed |
| use the highest gear for highway cruising. | | | | frequently enough, or because the fluid overheated. |
| 4. Slow down. As you increase speed above 60 mph, | | | | Synthetic fluid helps hugely to prevent transmission |
| wind resistance increases rapidly as a percentage of | | | | problems, and naturally saves fuel at the same time. |
| total fuel consumption. Typically, every mile over 60 | | | | Real life: My '94 Taurus SHO got 10% better fuel |
| mph costs you ~1% in fuel economy. | | | | economy with engine oil and transmission fluid |
| 5. Carefully consider your route and the time of day: | | | | change, my '02 Sierra 2500HD Duramax truck got |
| traffic flow is a huge factor. For example, say that | | | | 8% better fuel economy with just synthetic engine |
| along your interstate travel route, the space | | | | and differential fluids, an acquaintance picked up over |
| between vehicles averages 3 to 4 car lengths... typical | | | | 20% on a 37 foot gas-engine motor-home, and my |
| of traffic in many large cities. If it's stop-and-go, fuel | | | | friend Phillip's 1999 Olds Silhouette van picked up 20% |
| economy will be bad. But if traffic is moving smoothly | | | | just by changing to synthetic engine oil -- saving him |
| and fast (at 60 - 80 mph), then fuel economy can be | | | | over $600/yr in fuel. |
| superb: those rushing vehicles create a jet-stream of | | | | In other words, for most vehicles, high-performance |
| air that dramatically reduces wind-drag losses. Up to | | | | synthetic lubricants are one of the simplest and best |
| 30% gains are possible. For maximum fuel economy, | | | | changes that you can make to improve fuel |
| follow a larger vehicle and use cruise control. Also | | | | economy -- yet it's rarely mentioned! One reason is |
| keep in mind wind direction: if the wind blows strongly | | | | because it's brand dependant. Most people will get 2 |
| from the right and you're in the right lane, you'll get | | | | to 12% improvements in fuel economy, IF they use |
| NO break in wind resistance from vehicles ahead. | | | | one particular brand of lubricants, but less or no |
| 6. Plan and Combine errands to make fewer trips. | | | | improvement with other "synthetics". |
| Think like your great-grandparents did. Plan meals and | | | | Second, not all "synthetics" are real PAO synthetics. |
| grocery shop once a week to once a month: just | | | | Today, in fact, most are fakes because the |
| make a list of other errands during the week, plan | | | | lubrication industry has agreed that it's OK to deceive |
| your route, and do it all in the same trip. Arrange with | | | | you. (Our site explains how to tell a true synthetic |
| other parents to carpool or pick up the kids for you. | | | | from a petroleum "synthetic".) |
| Such planning may seem like work at first, but it | | | | Why do you need real PAO synthetics, anyway? |
| frees up time, helps you relax, and can improve your | | | | Because in every way they perform better than |
| average fuel economy by 5 to 15%. It can also cut | | | | petroleum products -- by design -- and because they |
| your average weekly miles by 20% or more. Total | | | | are uniquely able to save you the maximum amount |
| dollar potential: save 10-35% of monthly fuel costs. | | | | of money with 25,000 and even 35,000 mile drain |
| How does this help fuel economy? During the first | | | | intervals, while other "synthetics" are designed for |
| several miles while warming up, the engine and | | | | 7,000 to 10,000 mile use, to maximize |
| transmission are not operating efficiently. This is why | | | | petroleum-oil-company profits out of YOUR pocket. |
| city fuel economy can drop dramatically in cold | | | | Third, not all real synthetics are the same. As a |
| weather, when it can take 10 miles for the engine | | | | Mechanical Engineer who has worked for years in |
| and transmission to warm up. Automatic | | | | automotive, and done extensive research (see About |
| transmissions in particular can be power hogs when | | | | Us on my site), I live in the everyday world of real |
| fluid is cold, and manual transmissions can feel like | | | | results and have developed some strong |
| you're shifting in molasses. (Hot/cold temperatures | | | | recommendations based on data and verification with |
| are one of many reasons to use a full-synthetic | | | | personal testing. In fuel economy, for example, |
| 100,000-mile transmission fluid). So, combining two or | | | | ASTM standardized fleet testing results with one |
| three trips into one reduces the miles you drive, and | | | | company's synthetic lubes in commercial vehicles |
| also gets you better fuel economy. | | | | shows an average 8.2% improvement in fuel |
| 7. Use air conditioning wisely: - Keep your windows | | | | economy vs the common big-name commercial |
| rolled up at speeds over 40 mph: the air turbulence | | | | lubricants. (See this data on our site.) |
| around the window makes the air-conditioning | | | | Few companies will show legally-binding data based |
| cheaper than the fuel-economy penalty from | | | | on standardized (tightly defined) test parameters like |
| additional wind-drag. - Turn off the air and roll down | | | | this, because independent testing on their products |
| windows at speeds under 40 mph in the summer | | | | will not produce favorable data to support their |
| heat: the additional wind-drag is cheaper than the | | | | product claims. In comparison, hundreds of ASTM |
| air-conditioning. Fuel economy impact? ~ 1-5%. | | | | 4-ball Wear Test results in independent laboratories |
| 8. Buy fuel wisely. Ok, this isn't actually improving | | | | over years have shown that one company's |
| your fuel economy, but here are some tips to save | | | | lubricants are consistently designed to reduce |
| fuel money. Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday | | | | frictional wear and internal fluid-friction losses to a |
| morning fill-ups will normally save you money: those | | | | greater extent than even most synthetic lubricants. |
| are typically the lowest prices of the week. Also, | | | | Friction reduction translates directly to better fuel |
| filling up in the morning when the fuel is cooler will get | | | | economy and much longer-lasting vehicles. |
| you a few extra cents of fuel. So your best time to | | | | You want data from respected independent testing |
| fill up is -- on average -- Wednesday morning. Don't | | | | laboratories? Ahh -- so you know marketing claims |
| "top off" your tank: you risk losing fuel to the | | | | are worthless! We have overall comparative testing |
| station's vapor-recovery system, giving them back | | | | data for many specific oil blends, including Mobil 1: |
| some fuel you're buying. | | | | ASTM testing by independent laboratories. While all |
| 9. Use a good fuel additive at fillup. Injectors with | | | | the oil companies run these tests, generally only one |
| excessive deposits have poor spray patterns that | | | | company publishes significant data, while the others |
| can cost you 2 to 15% in fuel economy. Those | | | | rely on vague performance claims and clever |
| deposits are caused by poor quality fuel. Since '95 the | | | | marketing slogans. Beware: test results against |
| EPA has required all gasoline to have deposit-control | | | | generic "competitor A, B, C" are legally meaningless. |
| additives. But about half of all gasoline on the market | | | | But published/advertised test data against named |
| is lowest additive concentration (LAC) gasoline, which | | | | products is legally binding, with huge lawsuit potential |
| barely meets the regulation and contributes to | | | | from competitors. |
| excessive deposits. What can you do? First, if your | | | | Improve airflow AROUND your vehicle: |
| vehicle is designed for premium gas, and you're using | | | | - Loaded roof racks or cargo pods can cut 5% or |
| it, your injectors may be fine: most premium fuels | | | | more off your fuel economy. A cargo rack that slides |
| include higher additive levels that are effective at | | | | into a trailer hitch allows you to carry extra stuff, still |
| keeping injectors clean. However, what if you don't | | | | get into your trunk, and use less fuel. |
| use premium? Use "Top Tier" detergent gas -- if you | | | | - Sunroof air-deflectors can be handy, but do cost |
| can find it -- because this new fuel classification | | | | you a bit of fuel. Removing the air deflector might |
| meets the 2004 GM/Honda/Toyota/BMW deposit | | | | save 1/4 to 3/4% in fuel economy. |
| control standard. If you don't need premium and Top | | | | - Consider adding a truck bed cover, either soft-type |
| Tier isn't available, you probably need an additive. | | | | or hard-shell, to get a 1 to 2 mpg boost. What about |
| BEWARE: there are many mousey fuel additive | | | | dropping your tailgate to travel, or replacing the |
| products that generate nice sales profits but do little | | | | stock tailgate with an "air gate" net or louvered |
| for your vehicle. Find a good one that will actually | | | | tailgate? They're not as reliable: results depend on |
| clean your injectors, keep them clean, and (for | | | | vehicle aerodynamics, bed length, and what you do |
| diesels) lubricate your fuel pump. Our website | | | | (or don't) have in the truck bed. |
| suggests fuel additives that we know do the job | | | | - Reduce air turbulence under your vehicle: "Off-road" |
| with quality, for a fair price. | | | | packages with protective underbody "skid plates", or |
| 10. Lose some weight! Clean out your vehicle's trunk | | | | "ground effects" styling packages can add 1-4% in |
| (and maybe the back seat). Tools from that | | | | fuel economy. The downside? The vehicle may be |
| weekend project two months ago is costing you fuel! | | | | more difficult to service. |
| Every 200 pounds in your trunk costs you roughly 1 | | | | - Adding an air deflector to the roof of your truck |
| mpg. | | | | SUV when towing will also add 1 to 3 mpg by |
| 11. Don't drive! Carpool, occasionally ride a bicycle or | | | | reducing trailer wind-drag. But it can also reduce your |
| walk, telecommute for part of your work-week, or | | | | non-towing fuel economy by about the same amount |
| take public transportation. | | | | if it's still in position on the vehicle when you're NOT |
| 12. Shift your work-hours to avoid gridlock. | | | | towing. |
| Stop-and-go traffic is hard on fuel economy. Arrange | | | | Improve airflow into the engine. This can happen in |
| traveling to/from work when traffic flow is running | | | | several stages of increasing complexity, but the first |
| smoothly at the speed limit. | | | | place is the air filter, where air enters your engine. If |
| 13. Minimize idling -- idle smart: Engines only need 10 | | | | your filter is dirty, that reduces fuel economy -- up |
| seconds for warm-up before driving (30 seconds if | | | | to 10% in the worst cases. However, there's a |
| below zero). Idling your engine more than a minute | | | | conflicting problem. Conventional filters should NOT be |
| typically costs more fuel than re-starting it. So avoid | | | | replaced before the OEM's recommended interval or |
| drive-thru lines at banks and fast-food shops: instead | | | | they will increase your engine wear rate: they rely on |
| of sitting in line, park and go inside. BUT, when you | | | | the "dust cake" buildup to achieve effective filtration, |
| must idle with an automatic transmission, put the | | | | which unfortunately causes a pressure drop that |
| transmission in Neutral or Park while you're waiting: | | | | reduces fuel economy. |
| this will cut fuel usage at idle by 10-40% depending | | | | Easy Improvement: Replace your air filter with |
| on the vehicle and the transmission temperature. | | | | nanofiber filters born from military/aerospace |
| (With manual transmissions, use the brake to keep | | | | technology. (Just released in 2005 with worldwide |
| from rolling back - not the clutch. That saves fuel and | | | | patents, and reasonably priced.) You get pressure |
| extends clutch life.) | | | | drop nearly as low as an oiled gauze filter while |
| 14. Park in the Shade: The hotter the fuel tank gets, | | | | filtering out 100% of wear particles down to 3 |
| the more gas you lose to evaporation. | | | | microns (for real). Clean with an annual tap/shake |
| 15. Smart vacation thinking: If your vehicle is a gas | | | | vacuum. No warranty problems. |
| guzzler, consider renting an economical vehicle to | | | | Intermediate: The next thing to look at is the air-filter |
| drive on vacation. With a discounted week-long rate | | | | box design. Many OEM's have a restrictive flow-path |
| at better fuel economy, the rental might pay for | | | | going into the air-box (to reduce engine air-intake |
| itself. If you lease your vehicle, using a rental vehicle | | | | noise, or to reduce water intake if you drive through |
| will also lower your total lease miles. | | | | a foot or two of water), including lots of internal |
| 16. Keep a log of your mileage and fuel. By monitoring | | | | stiffener ribs. Sure, the improved strength from ribs |
| your fuel economy and driving habits, you can see | | | | may enable you to stand or kneel on the air-box, but |
| the cost impact of changing your driving style, and | | | | they often cause pressure-drop and turbulence. |
| you can spot the poor fuel economy that is often a | | | | There are two improvement routes: an aftermarket |
| first-alert to maintenance issues. In addition, as you | | | | air-induction system, or DIY modifications. |
| make changes to improve fuel economy, you can | | | | The best route is to look at replacing the entire |
| measure the exact results (averaged over five or | | | | air-intake box and filter with an aftermarket "air |
| more fill-ups for best accuracy). Second: vehicle | | | | induction" or "air intake" kit. |
| MAINTENANCE & UPGRADES. These areas | | | | Caution: oiled gauze filters won't keep out many wear |
| often get skipped in recommendations on getting | | | | particles, so they produce high engine wear-rates. |
| better fuel economy. That's unfortunate because | | | | Plus, excess "tack oil" can cause reduced fuel |
| they can have huge impacts. Most fuel economy | | | | economy and trouble with warranty coverage at |
| improvements fall into two general categories: | | | | many dealers. Choose wisely -- go for the OEM |
| - decrease friction in the vehicle's drivetrain (engine, | | | | certified nanofiber solution if one is available for your |
| transmission, differential, wheel bearings, tires); | | | | vehicle, because nanofiber air filters are the best |
| - make it easier for air to flow through the engine, | | | | technical and economical compromise between no |
| anywhere from the air intake to the exhaust tailpipe. | | | | filter at all and a restrictive stock filter. The minimum |
| These are the same areas that | | | | intake choice should include a two-stage dual-density |
| performance-enthusiasts change to get more | | | | oiled-foam filter: far better than oiled-gauze. If you |
| horsepower. I spoke with a Lexus mechanic who has | | | | can't get at least that in an aftermarket air induction |
| won awards for his modified 2003 Dodge 2500 | | | | system, then we recommend skipping it: upgrade to |
| pickup with the Cummins turbo-diesel engine. He was | | | | a nanofiber air filter, and consider modifying the stock |
| surprised that with his many thousands of dollars in | | | | air-box as we outline on our website. |
| horsepower upgrades, he was getting about 23 mpg | | | | Advanced: see our site for these details. |
| even with large tires and higher ground-clearance. | | | | Our easy, intermediate-level and advanced airflow |
| "Every time I increased the power, the fuel economy | | | | improvement suggestions can realistically net you |
| improved." No surprise to me: except for tires and | | | | from 2% up to a maximum 8% improvement in fuel |
| suspension, he increased his truck's efficiency with | | | | economy. |
| every power upgrade. | | | | Improve airflow out of the engine: Install an |
| Keep your engine tuned up. If you have a dashboard | | | | aftermarket exhaust system. These have larger |
| service-engine light on, you're likely wasting fuel. | | | | diameter pipes and larger, less restrictive mufflers. My |
| Example: bad Oxygen Sensors are a classic problem | | | | point isn't to get louder, but to reduce "backpressure" |
| that can cost you 5-15% in fuel economy. Overall, | | | | losses which cut down on horsepower, torque and |
| poor engine tuning and lack of maintenance can | | | | fuel-economy. Since increased noise is typical, and |
| decrease fuel economy by 10-20%, or more. | | | | some systems are intentionally designed to be loud, |
| Inflate your tires to their optimum: HIGHER pressures | | | | you may want to shop for the exhaust sounds you |
| than "normal". Read carefully. You need EVEN | | | | do or don't want. |
| road-contact pressure (equal across the tread) to | | | | Upgrade to a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Careful. |
| maximize everything: tire life, fuel economy, bad | | | | Companies and sales people want to make money |
| weather traction, and best overall handling and | | | | on your vehicle switch, so watch out for your best |
| cornering characteristics with increased road safety. | | | | interests. First, price matters. You have to save a lot |
| Probably over 85% of car tires on the road are | | | | of fuel to pay for a big difference in vehicle price. |
| under-inflated, and this costs money in fuel and | | | | Paying hybrid premiums to get more fuel economy |
| shorter tire life. Under-inflated tires can lower gas | | | | probably won't begin to pay you back before you sell |
| mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in | | | | the vehicle. Second, real-world driving shows many |
| pressure of all four tires. | | | | hybrids don't live up to their mpg hype. (See our |
| "Experts" generally (wrongly) define the "proper" | | | | surprising comparison in the online detailed version of |
| pressure as the vehicle manufacturer's | | | | this, between hybrids and turbo-diesel vehicles.) |
| recommendation. That's what the government says. | | | | Finally, be cautious in your search for improved fuel |
| That's what most service shops follow. | | | | economy: don't waste money on fake fuel-economy |
| Unfortunately, that's seldom correct in your and my | | | | improvements. Many products are total fakes or |
| vehicle tires. | | | | hugely exaggerated. Most companies tiptoe around |
| Fact is that OEM wheel/tire combinations for most | | | | those realities, but I don't. So here's the truth: |
| passenger cars and light trucks are designed by the | | | | - Most "oil additive" or engine "metal treatment" |
| TIRE manufacturer for even tread pressure on the | | | | products are or will be embroiled in lawsuits in a |
| ground when inflated to between 35 and 42 psi | | | | number of states. If an oil additive claims a fuel |
| [pounds per square inch]: that optimum inflation range | | | | economy improvement over 1%, forget it. Lubrication |
| is much higher than the recommended 28 to 33 psi | | | | Engineers explain that oil is a highly engineered |
| that are in many owner's manuals or on door-jamb | | | | chemical package, and that if you want better |
| labels. | | | | performance you must buy better oil. Base your |
| If your tires normally wear the tread off the shoulder | | | | choice on published, standardized ASTM test results. |
| before the center of the tread, then your tires ARE | | | | That's the best and cheapest way to get better |
| under-inflated. | | | | lubrication performance. |
| So how much air pressure should you use? Visit our | | | | - Fuel treatments/additives and catalysts? 2-15% |
| full online Ultimate Fuel Economy Guide for important | | | | gains are available, with the biggest improvements |
| details. | | | | for vehicles with a long diet of cheap LAC (Lowest |
| Impact? By our conservative estimates, most | | | | Additive Concentration) fuel. Question the cost vs |
| vehicles are riding on tires that are 8 psi low, costing | | | | value. The answer is Yes to some good ones, No to |
| about 3% in fuel economy. | | | | some poor ones, and "why bother" to a lot of them. |
| Watch your tire choice. Replacing your tires/wheels | | | | Question who to trust, and research what you buy. |
| with wider and/or taller ones may look awesome, but | | | | - A mechanical or electronic aftermarket product? |
| keep in mind that your choice could have a 1 to 3% | | | | Fundamentally, if it isn't actually improving airflow |
| penalty in fuel economy... or even more in extreme | | | | through the engine/exhaust, it's probably NOT going |
| cases like "monster truck" tires/wheels. | | | | to boost fuel economy. Our site has specific |
| Switch to best-quality synthetic oils and filters | | | | "improvement" examples that WON'T save fuel. |
| throughout your drivetrain: engine oil, transmission | | | | |