Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with gasmileage

How to stop declining gas mileage?

unclemike — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:24:09 -0800

Gas mileage dropping on my 2003 Chrysler mini-van with V6. Used to get 17city/21hwy. Last couple years has slowly but steadily declined to now getting about 15/18. Tune-up didn't help, at all, and "scoping" engine indicates no problems. Would like suggestions on what, if anything, can be done to get the old mileage back?

Turn the radio off, you may be wasting my gas!

Mister_A — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:59:35 -0800

Do electrical devices running on your car's electrical system affect gas mileage? Do you use more gas, all else being equal, with the lights, radio, plug-in accessories running than without?

2008 Cars with great gas mileage.

Telf — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:56:14 -0800

My parents are looking for a new car with great gas mileage. They don't want a Hybrid. What are their options? Here's the problem, a Honda civic is out of the picture. My parents dislike Hondas, they believe Hondas feel cheap and have crappy interiors. I don't drive a car so I have no opinion on this. They have looked at the newest Hondas and they stand by this opinion.

I've been looking into diesel options but there is no usable information out there. VW is supposed to have TDIs, but their site is devoid of any info. Furthermore, I've checked out http://www.fueleconomy.gov and there is no info on the diesel models from VW or Audi.

Basically my parents would like a 30+ mpg car with a nicer German or European feel.

Is there a model you recommend? Is it feasible to get cars directly from Europe? It seems that just like with bicycles they get all the really cool useful models that never get marketed to Americans.

Getting better gas mileage out of a fuel hog?

ganzhimself — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:14:16 -0800

Fuel economy filter: I drive a 1998 Dodge Durango, so I know my gas mileage is going to be low... But I was wondering if I use Mid-Grade or Premium gas if I'll be able to squeeze some more mileage out? I drive a 1998 Dodge Durango, 5.2L V8, and I want to stretch my buck a bit further as far as gas mileage goes. I added a cold air intake to the engine to get a little better performance / gas mileage. In the owner's manual it says that the engine is designed for 89 Octane gasoline, but would running a higher octane, especially with a better air intake system, improve gas mileage? What else could I do to increase gas mileage?

What car should I buy?

ajpresto — Sat, 20 May 2006 07:43:12 -0800

Yet another "time to buy a car" thread I'm looking for a car with good gas mileage to replace a 2002 Tundra. The Tundra still works great, hasn't had any problems with anything but I'm starting to not be able to afford gas.

I've looked at the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris as well as Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics. My criteria are:

* great gas mileage
* cheap, but still quality (Both of these cars are dirt cheap but I'm worried about quality)

I'm also concerned about being a "beta tester" for an untried product. These cars look cool (especially the Honda, which I'm really leaning towards) but I heard that the gas tank is in a funny place (under the front passenger seat), which then leads me to be concerned about funny wiring or whatever.

What cars should I look at? Also of note, I'm relatively tall (my wife owns a Honda Element and the steering wheel doesn't move up high enough to be comfortable for me) so I need a car that can accomodate that aspect, as well.

I have all day today and tomorrow to hang out here and respond, so feel free to ask questions that I can respond to.

Thanks!

I hate cars but...

serazin — Tue, 16 May 2006 09:14:07 -0800

I want a car that carries more than 5 passengers AND gets good fuel economy! I did see some similar recent posts on this question, but not explicitly including the more than 5 seating issue! Right now I drive a tiny civic hatch back. I don't care about having a BIG car, I just want a car that can carry more people than the members of my immediate family. I hate to switch from 35 mpg to the 18 that even the most efficient minivan provides. Any creative seating solutions (Optional rear bench? Back facing station wagon seating?) will be considered!

How do you make sure your car is getting the most mileage possible?

BuddhaInABucket — Sun, 29 May 2005 00:55:14 -0800

I'd really like to see what tricks of the trade you guys have to make sure your car is getting the most mileage it possibly can. I'm not interested in "buy a more fuel efficient car"- I'm already doing so. I want to know what driving habits I can pick up to make whatever I'm driving even more efficient.

For example, I've learned that if I accelerate slowly and stay below 2k RPMs (usually about 60mph on the freeway), I get almost 4 additional miles per gallon on my car then I do normally.

Is there anything else you guys would suggest?

I'm an enviromentalist! Yes, that is my Suburban.

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 12:43:01 -0800

Is it possible to drive a big gas-hog SUV and still be a good environmentalist?