Tips to Save GAS
05-11-2008, 01:02 PM
#81
Funny thing is that's full of BS.
I work in the oil industry, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. The major companies- Shell, Chevron-Texaco, Exxon-Mobil, BP, BHP, Phillips, Anadarko.. they all have their own refineries along the Gulf coast- mainly around Houston, southern Louisiana, and Mississippi. After refining, they pump it farther inland to their own distribution stations. Many of them use the same stations farther inland, but the trucks fill off different lines all plumbed into the same distro station. Each company has its own formulation and distillation process. Different companies also add different additives at the refinery and at the distribution stations, depending on their expected longevity in the tank.
In addition, unleaded gasoline can simply be mixed by percentages mixed to provide different octane ratings.
You don't go to a gas station and have 5 different tanks for 87,88,90,91,93 octane. They have 2 tanks underground. 87 and 93. When you push the button for 90 octane, you get 50% out of the 93 tank and 50% out of the 87 tank. it's as simple as that. two grades. (plus diesel).
I work in the oil industry, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. The major companies- Shell, Chevron-Texaco, Exxon-Mobil, BP, BHP, Phillips, Anadarko.. they all have their own refineries along the Gulf coast- mainly around Houston, southern Louisiana, and Mississippi. After refining, they pump it farther inland to their own distribution stations. Many of them use the same stations farther inland, but the trucks fill off different lines all plumbed into the same distro station. Each company has its own formulation and distillation process. Different companies also add different additives at the refinery and at the distribution stations, depending on their expected longevity in the tank.
In addition, unleaded gasoline can simply be mixed by percentages mixed to provide different octane ratings.
You don't go to a gas station and have 5 different tanks for 87,88,90,91,93 octane. They have 2 tanks underground. 87 and 93. When you push the button for 90 octane, you get 50% out of the 93 tank and 50% out of the 87 tank. it's as simple as that. two grades. (plus diesel).
05-11-2008, 01:48 PM
#83
wow after reading this thread.....
i would NEVER turn my car off while driving down the road very silly idea of saving gas, if u want to save gas going down a hill put the car in nuetral, that way u dont lose braking power(dunno how ur ABS would be effected by the car being off but it cant be good), and power steering. if u are on the highway use ur AC will save more gas then opening ur windows especially if u are driving at 75+
but all of this ways combined u will be lucky to see 1 maybe 2 mpgs more. keep ur car in good running shape will save u maybe another 2-3mpgs if thats not enough, u have to remember these cars were designed in 93-94 gas was not an issue at that time the only other real solution is to park the max and get on the bus or buy another car
i would NEVER turn my car off while driving down the road very silly idea of saving gas, if u want to save gas going down a hill put the car in nuetral, that way u dont lose braking power(dunno how ur ABS would be effected by the car being off but it cant be good), and power steering. if u are on the highway use ur AC will save more gas then opening ur windows especially if u are driving at 75+
but all of this ways combined u will be lucky to see 1 maybe 2 mpgs more. keep ur car in good running shape will save u maybe another 2-3mpgs if thats not enough, u have to remember these cars were designed in 93-94 gas was not an issue at that time the only other real solution is to park the max and get on the bus or buy another car
05-11-2008, 03:40 PM
#85
got a question regarding that...my route to work has 2 train tracks and sometimes i'll catch a loooong slow moving train that can take 10-15 minutes to pass. should i leave the car running or turn it off? since i read turning on the car takes more gas than leaving it on idle or something like that.
05-14-2008, 04:36 PM
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Consumer Reports recently tested the theory that filling up in the morning gives more gas because colder gas is more condensed, and found it to be untrue.
They said that, although gas does expand when heated, the temp in all the underground storage tanks they measured stayed within a half degree or so of the same temp day and night. That is because the tanks are well below the surface, and not subject to the widely varying surface temps.
The only variation they found was that the temp in the underground tanks measured slightly higher for a short period immediately after a refueling truck had filled them.
By the way, I have received the postualtions listed in the original post via email attachment from several friends over the past six months. It is amazing how, once something makes it to the internet, proven or unproven, true or false, it never dies.
They said that, although gas does expand when heated, the temp in all the underground storage tanks they measured stayed within a half degree or so of the same temp day and night. That is because the tanks are well below the surface, and not subject to the widely varying surface temps.
The only variation they found was that the temp in the underground tanks measured slightly higher for a short period immediately after a refueling truck had filled them.
By the way, I have received the postualtions listed in the original post via email attachment from several friends over the past six months. It is amazing how, once something makes it to the internet, proven or unproven, true or false, it never dies.
05-15-2008, 09:39 AM
#90
I have alway felt the same way, but hybrid cars shut off when stopped. So unless those engines are especially designed not to use additional fuel to restart, then it would be better to stop the car. Unless it's hot and you want to run the AC while you wait.
05-15-2008, 12:53 PM
#91
If you're idling for more than 30 seconds it makes sense to turn your car off in terms of fuel savings. If you're going to be sitting stil for 5+ minutes why the hell would you leave your car on, idling? 
05-16-2008, 11:28 AM
#92
If you fill up when you are half-full, you can also avoid some increases of gas prices (until next time you pump). So even if you look at it this way, instead of the gas evaporating, you will save money by beating the price increase. But then again, if for some rare chance they lower the price after you half-fill up, you lose out.
05-16-2008, 10:38 PM
#94
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Murrieta (southern California)
Posts: 4,521
If you fill up when you are half-full, you can also avoid some increases of gas prices (until next time you pump). So even if you look at it this way, instead of the gas evaporating, you will save money by beating the price increase. But then again, if for some rare chance they lower the price after you half-fill up, you lose out.
I've thought about that too... but I don't know. There's a cost to going out of your way to pull in to a gas station, turn off your engine, restart it, drive out, etc. Also, weight is a huge issue which I don't think has been discussed enough in this thread. Gas weighs how much? Like 8 lb/gal, so if you never go below half a tank, that's 64 lb you're always schlepping around.
06-04-2008, 03:52 PM
#97
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tolland, Connecticut
Posts: 347
Its already been said, but driving habits definately help the most i feel....I used accelerate quickly and always go at LEAST 10+ mph over the speed limit. With those habits, i got about between 20 and 22 mpg. Now i accelerate slowly, time my decelerations better, and travel the speed limit. I now get between 24 and 26 mpg. Not only am i saving on fuel, but i'm that much less likely to get a ticket 
06-04-2008, 10:17 PM
#98
Inevitably, we will spend. I think the social stigma attached to gas prices and their increase has influenced driving habbits/gas purchasing habits more than the actual price increases themselves. It's all subjective. If you have a Maxima, your first thought in purchasing the car was not to invest in a gas saver. And if you by some great oblivion forgot that gas prices are continually increasing while purchasing your Maxima, shame on you.
For those who can't afford it, are annoyed by the gas pricing, wish there was some miracle method to save 10-15mpg per tank or other non-sense, the Toyota Prius MSRP for ~$22k and get 46mph. I purchased my Maxima 6 months ago knowing gas was going to cost me $300/mo. But honestly, that $300/mo is well worth a very reliable, aesthetically sound vehicle that has moderately good after-market support and can leave many vehciles in the dust in its stock form. The practicality of the vehicle more than pays for itself in what I spend for gas.
As I said, it's subjective. I don't mind the gas prices because I knew I was going to pay. It's all a matter of what you are willing to sacrifice for what you're looking to get out of the vehicle. I get 26mpg and personally, for a 4dr full-size sedan with 255hp to the crank, I am satisfied. And if I ever have a rough financial month, I resort to public transportation/biking/or carpooling.
Be lucky we are not in Sweeden. $4.00/gal sounds a lot better than the THREE times that amount they are paying. I'm frankly tired of the social stigma associated with the rising gas prices and frankly they are more annoying than the $15/tank increase I have experienced in the last 6 months. Give up a bad spending habit, work an extra 4 hours a week, there are alternatives...
Sorry if the post seems ranty...people just need to chill (not directing this towards any members hear, I'm just aiming it at the general, worrisome public)
For those who can't afford it, are annoyed by the gas pricing, wish there was some miracle method to save 10-15mpg per tank or other non-sense, the Toyota Prius MSRP for ~$22k and get 46mph. I purchased my Maxima 6 months ago knowing gas was going to cost me $300/mo. But honestly, that $300/mo is well worth a very reliable, aesthetically sound vehicle that has moderately good after-market support and can leave many vehciles in the dust in its stock form. The practicality of the vehicle more than pays for itself in what I spend for gas.
As I said, it's subjective. I don't mind the gas prices because I knew I was going to pay. It's all a matter of what you are willing to sacrifice for what you're looking to get out of the vehicle. I get 26mpg and personally, for a 4dr full-size sedan with 255hp to the crank, I am satisfied. And if I ever have a rough financial month, I resort to public transportation/biking/or carpooling.
Be lucky we are not in Sweeden. $4.00/gal sounds a lot better than the THREE times that amount they are paying. I'm frankly tired of the social stigma associated with the rising gas prices and frankly they are more annoying than the $15/tank increase I have experienced in the last 6 months. Give up a bad spending habit, work an extra 4 hours a week, there are alternatives...
Sorry if the post seems ranty...people just need to chill (not directing this towards any members hear, I'm just aiming it at the general, worrisome public)
Last edited by MIK3; 06-04-2008 at 10:19 PM.
06-04-2008, 10:18 PM
#99
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 67
Its already been said, but driving habits definately help the most i feel....I used accelerate quickly and always go at LEAST 10+ mph over the speed limit. With those habits, i got about between 20 and 22 mpg. Now i accelerate slowly, time my decelerations better, and travel the speed limit. I now get between 24 and 26 mpg. Not only am i saving on fuel, but i'm that much less likely to get a ticket
06-06-2008, 10:23 AM
#101
06-10-2008, 10:38 AM
#102
06-16-2008, 08:25 PM
#103
In theory, this makes sense, but is it really noticeable?
consumer reports did a test with a new Toyota Camry, and recorded an average 1mpg loss with AC, and negligible losses with the windows down on the freeway.
- Moncef
07-11-2008, 06:27 PM
#107
Its already been said, but driving habits definately help the most i feel....I used accelerate quickly and always go at LEAST 10+ mph over the speed limit. With those habits, i got about between 20 and 22 mpg. Now i accelerate slowly, time my decelerations better, and travel the speed limit. I now get between 24 and 26 mpg. Not only am i saving on fuel, but i'm that much less likely to get a ticket
07-18-2008, 06:27 PM
#108
You know that you're saving gas when you can't hear your loud exhaust and intake @ 61mph on the highway, the lying trip computer shows me constant 40mpg, and then drops into low 20's when I hit the city.
Probably true, a while ago after a 30 minute drive on the highway, I popped it in neutral to coast to the next light slightly downhill, and after putting it back in drive, something made a bang every time you moderately accelerated for a whole week.
@ 61mph on the highway, the lying trip computer shows me constant 40mpg, and then drops into low 20's when I hit the city.Probably true, a while ago after a 30 minute drive on the highway, I popped it in neutral to coast to the next light slightly downhill, and after putting it back in drive, something made a bang every time you moderately accelerated for a whole week.
Last edited by reeloop; 07-18-2008 at 06:32 PM.
07-24-2008, 01:36 PM
#110
On another note, I am getting 25mpg (75% street, 25% highway) on my 2000 maxima. I calculate it per fillup(divide the distance traveled by the amount filled up). I get around 30-35mpg on the highway as well. All of this is with 87 octane gas. Also, I have used some hypermiling techniques to achieve this, where before I would get 18mpg at best.
neither I, nor the hypermiling community is legally responsible for what you do to your vehicle. All of the following techniqes are ADVANCED TECHNIQUES and should only be done if you have enough experience with them, and after doing your own risk/benefits assessment. AGAIN: DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
Some clarifications on official hypermiling techniques: The hypermiling community does not condone closely following, or drafting a big rig. The risks far outweigh the benefits of doing this. We only condone turning off your engine and coasting (known as FAS or NICE-off coasting) if you have had enough experience using the other techniques and have practiced this technique in a closed lot or somewhere where you will not hurt anyone else. It is also recommended that you check if your car is flat-towable(which most automatics are not) with your cars manufacturer. The USUAL HYPERMILER recommendation on MAX tire pressure is the MAX SIDEWALL PRESSURE written on the tire. This is set by the tire manufacturer after running tests to see which is the maximum safe tire pressure. If your car has a ratio of tire pressure (like the fronts have to have 4 more PSI than the rear) you can set the tire that needs the higher number at max sidewall pressure. Since not all tires are built to the same quality, understand that there is a risk of having a ball in your tire by doing this, and that I am not legally responsible for this.We also do not condone rolling through stop lights or signs, it is just not worth the danger as well. We as a community do not want you to get a ticket or hurt yourself(or others) in order to get better gas mileage. Many of the techniques are ADVANCED TECHNIQUES THAT ARE NOT FOR BEGINNERS. You should also check your local laws to see if coasting in neutral is legal and if turning off your engine while on the road is legal.
visit cleanmpg.com and read the "beating the EPA" article for more ideas
oh, and on the whole fuel vapor thing. In California, regulators from some agency(forget which one it is) go to random gas stations to make sure that what the pump says is exactly what you are getting when you fill up(1 gallon on the pump = 1 gallon in your tank). the gas stations get fined if they are cheating you of your gas. So I think that the pumps may have some sort of correction that factors in any fuel lost to vaporization. If not then that means filling up quicker will net you less fuel lost to evaporization.
Last edited by Mr. Blue Sky; 07-24-2008 at 02:05 PM.
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