Smooth Wheel Covers are said to be useful in saving fuel. However, just how true is it? Apparently, the answer is yes. With so many things, the magnitude of the change depends on where you’re starting from.

If the wheels you are covering are already relatively smooth, then the difference will be minimal. But if you’re covering an aerodynamically "dirty" wheel, you will see a significant improvement. Therefore, we can conclude that Smooth Wheel Covers really useful for saving fuel.

From an experiment, it is shown that you can get about 4.6% mpg improvement @ 65 mph. 

Isn’t this a great news?

While the results might be different for different cars but still you get to save some fuel with this method and you don’t really have to spend too much money on this. 

If you are one of those who are constantly looking for ways to save money on fuel or to improve your car fuel efficiency, it is time to check out the smooth wheel covers. 

Popularity: 83% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

Get CartoonStock.

While you might have been driving for some time but most of the time, you might not know what’s wrong with your car especially when you heard some strange noise, something fell out of the original place and so on.

Here are some tips on what you should be looking out for as these are the indication that something is wrong and you should quickly have it repaired to ensure fuel economy. 

- missing or defective thermostat, causing low operating temperature

– clogged intake manifold exhaust crossover passage (for heating intake manifold)

– engine misfire caused by bad spark plug, ignition wire, coil, dist. cap or rotor

– late ignition timing

– bad vacuum advance unit (common in old cars)

For a full list of problems, you should check out the EcoModder. 

Popularity: 82% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

More hypermilling tips again but this would be the end of our series. This time, we will take a look at some of the tips that we have discussed a long way back then but it is good to remind you of it so you won’t forget about it.

Drive slowly if you can. Reduce speed will help you save fuel. 

Don’t drive with your windows open. It is bad news.

Try to avoid brakes – cruise slowly if you see the red lights so by the time it is green you can start drive again at normal speed.

Avoid using the air conditioner whenever possible. This will help save some fuel and money over the time. 

Listen to slow music so you will get into the mood of cruising. Listen to rock music will cause you to drive like crazy. This is nothing against the songs as this is about human psychology.

Park at the very first parking you see, rather than trying to find another parking nearer to your destination. You will end up wasting more fuel. 

Ok, these are the tips that really helps and easy to do right? Follow these and you will be on the right track in hypermilling. 

Popularity: 87% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

After a long silence, here is a few more tips for all, as part of our Hypermilling Tips series.

As we all know that hypermilling can be really effective in saving gas and money so learning hypermilling is good for all drivers. 

Now, at least once a day or two we will have to refuel at the station. The thing is we can go refuel when it is not peak hours. In order to do so, you will need to find out when is the peak hours for the stations in your area. Then, work around your schedule and try to refuel during off peak hours. This will save you from lines, which means more saving on fuel. 

Next, we have seen drive thru’s such as Mc D and KFC. While drive thru allows you to get your meals faster without having to park your car, walk into the restaurant, line up and order. However, on the other side, your car will be idling thus using more fuel than you expect. 

Bad weather is unexpected. However, it is best not to drive in bad weather. Rain or snow will increase rolling resistance so stay indoor or get on the public transport to travel in bad weather. Since public transport will be on the road every day, every moment, so make use of it.

This is supposed to be a very useful for those who need to run errands from getting the groceries, sending kids to and fro school or go to the bank and so on. What you need to do is plan out your route when you are running errands. This is important because you get to minimise the journey length while getting things done. 

So, with these additional tips for you to learn, which one do you think suits you best?

Popularity: 86% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

This is the continuation of our hypermilling tips series. In this part, we will continue to discuss the hypermilling tips for better mileage and more savings on fuel.

Do you have a rack on your car roof? Usually this rack is to hold bikes but if you are not in need of this rack, you can take it off. Doing this will reduce the aerodynamic drag so you get more mileage or better fuel efficiency. 

We have talked about tires before. Tires play a major role in helping us to save money on fuel. Properly inflated tires can help to improve fuel economy. Now, for those who live in countries with different seasons, be sure to track the temperature with your tire pressure as these two are connected in some ways. 

Whenever you are travelling, keep track of your fuel consumption. This is important as motivation to save money on fuel and also to understand your driving habit. Cut down on unnecessary trips will indeed be helpful.

If there are roads less travelled, don’t be afraid to use those. The reasons:

1. Road less travelled = less cars so you get to use all sorts of hypermilling tips you have learnt. 

2. More cars = less ways you can use to save fuel. 

3. If you travel on busier roads, you might find yourself using up more fuel than the quiet roads. 

Another tips is to leave early if you have to reach the destination by a certain time.

Leaving early gives you more time to drive accordingly in order for the fuel efficiency to work. If you leave in rush, you find yourself driving with all the bad habits and end up failing your goal to save fuel. 

We will continue with more tips in the coming days. As for now, practice whatever you think is suitable for you lifestyle. Remember practice makes perfect!

Popularity: 92% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas

Ok, while some of us are not using the right hypermilling tips. This time, we are going to learn the right way to be a hypermiler. Hypermilling the right way is safe and of course help us to save more money on fuel (regardless of the fuel price).

First of all, this is very important for everyone.

Drive less. "Oh, no!". I can almost here every drivers moan about ‘drive less’. It is not easy for everyone but we have to do something, right?

Ok, it isn’t that bad. All you need to do is live close to your work place, carpool, get on a bike, walk or simply get on the public transport to go to work. 

Secondly, you can either park and ride, ride and walk, park and walk or something similar. Depending on the mode of transportation, you can be creative by mixing the ways you go to work. 

Thirdly, clean your car, get rid of the garbage and lighten up your car load. Those additional burden don’t get on your car for free. They ‘eat up’ the fuel too.

Now, we have 3 top and easy ways for hypermilling. However, stay tune for more tips and you will likely to learn everything you can about hypermilling. 

Popularity: 92% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel, fuel saving, gas, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

We have heard about hypermillers. Hypermillers are those who are willing to do anything to save money on fuel.

Now comes a new term known as ecomodder.

Ecomodder is someone who modifies a car for better mpg (usually people modify cars for better speed and mph).

According to ecomodder.com

“High performance” means miles per gallon, not miles per hour.”

This is true if you are going for better gas saving.

You can find full description about ecomodder / ecomodding at ecomodder.com

While this is still new in the market, perhaps this is the way out to solve the many problems related to gas/fuel pricing and car maintenance.

Popularity: 96% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, money saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

photo credit from flickr: Neato Coolville

Ok, everyone wants to save money (no doubt) especially on fuel since fuel pricing is like the roller coaster (ups and downs).

Now, there are a few tips you have known but there is no doubt we need to be reminded every once in a while otherwise we will forget about it all.

There are many aspects that affect gas savings from our behaviours to the mechanical part.

Still, here are the tips you should know / should have known:

1. Air filter

Clean air filter can save up to 28 cents a gallon (which is about 10% fuel efficiency).

2. Alignment

Check your car alignment and make sure it is in the proper alignment and save about 28 cents a gallon.

3. Engine

Make sure your engine is functioning properly. Have a mechanic do a check up (like health check up) on the engine and repair whatever that is needed. Save about 11 cents a gallon.

4. Tires – Pump Them

Pump your tires to make sure that they are properly inflated. Save 8 cents a gallon.

5. Cap

When you refill the gas for your car, make sure you take the time to check the cap. Make sure it is not broken or missing. You can save about 2 cents a gallon (still savings).

6. Reduce speed

Better safe than never. Drive slowly. Slowing down can save you 19 cents a gallon. For example, slow down from 70mph to 65mph. This alone will reduce 7% fuel consumption.

7. Drive smoothly

This is perhaps the best way to save fuel – up to 33% fuel efficiency and a saving of 48 cents a gallon.

8. Don’t brake to frequent

The rule is to drive slow so you don’t have to keep your foot on the brake pad all the time as this will wear cause the brake to wear out faster than ever. You can save as much as 96 cents a gallon.

9. Throw out the thrash

Some people treat their cars as trash can. Seriously, it is time to get rid of those garbage and lighten your car. This is to reduce your fuel consumption and save an additional 4 cents a gallon.

10. Stop idling

This is a bad habit. Idle will make your car to use up more fuel. Stop idling and save one cent a gallon (which is important as well).

So, now you have all the tips recap again and hopefully you will be able to remember most of it.

While the pricing is at an affordable rate, there is no reason why we should be wasting our money on fuel. Savings is important for the rainy days. While it is still sunny, get prepared to face the worst.

Enjoy your ride!

Popularity: 95% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

It is 2009 and why not have a journey back and check out the Top 10 Fuel Efficient Cars in 2008. After all 2008 had been a year full of ups and downs.

With the increase of fuel prices around the world, everyone had problems with the finance and many of us were looking for ways to save more money on fuel.

If you want to get a new car this year, perhaps you would like to check out some of the hottest cars in the market that can help you save more fuel thanks to the fuel efficiency technology.

These are the top 10 cars in 2008 with their details.

1. 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid

No. 1 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Midsize Car

Fuel Economy
City: 48 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

2. 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

No. 2 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Compact Car

Fuel Economy
City: 40 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

3. 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

No. 3 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle

Fuel Economy
City: 35 mpg
Highway: 33 mpg

4. 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

No. 4 (tie) Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 (tie) Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 SUV

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 30 mpg

5. 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid

No. 4 (tie) Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 (tie) Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 SUV

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 30 mpg

6. 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

No. 4 (tie) Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 (tie) Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 SUV

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 30 mpg

7. 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

No. 7 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle

Fuel Economy
City: 33 mpg
Highway: 34 mpg

8. 2008 Toyota Yaris

No. 8 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Subcompact Car

Fuel Economy
City: 29 mpg
Highway: 36 mpg

9. 2008 Toyota Corolla

No. 9 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg

10. 2008 Honda Fit

No. 10 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Vehicle
No. 1 Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Small Station Wagon

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 34 mpg

Don’t forget to look out for the hot cars coming up in 2009!

Popularity: 100% [?]

Technorati Tags: fuel efficiency, fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money

picture courtesy from TreeHugger

Bike-sharing is not exactly a very new concept. This concept has been put to action in Paris since 2007 and it has been a successful project. The government even consider a car-sharing program, similar as the bike-sharing concept.

The concept is to pay a daily fee or annual fee to access to the public bikes. These public bikes are available at special designated stations and you can pay by cash or credit cards for the fees.

For a mere $2/day, the Parisians can unlock any of the 20,000 bikes at the 1,500 stations 24 hours a day. Then they just return to any of the 1,500 stations when they are done riding.

If bike-sharing is a huge success in Paris, why not implement this in other countries as well.

Paris, Barcelona, Washington D.C., Montreal and Mexico City have implemented this program. New York and Portland are currently under development.

The idea bike-sharing came upon during the fuel price hike sometime ago and it is proven that this idea indeed is a great way to reduce traffic jam on the road and the best part is everyone can save more money on transportation.

Besides, biking is a type of exercise that can help to keep you in shape.

Popularity: 58% [?]

Technorati Tags: bike sharing, fuel saving, gas saving, save fuel, save gas, save money