Gas saving items. Do they really work? Find out inside.

[89AccordResto]

But back on topic... to save gas, make sure your car is in tip top shape. Good wheel bearings, adjust the drums so tehy don't drag, lube the pads on the disc brakes so they slide easily in the caliper and don't create more drag, keep your headlights DOWN to greatly improve aerodynamics, don't have extra crap in your trunk (especially heavy stuff like subs), don't drive aggressively, cruise behind big SUVs or Semis to let them take the brunt of the air resistence, install a muffler tip that curves DOWNWARDS, as the air flowing past the tip will help pull out the exhaust gases, keep your windows up, keep your A/C off, and if you're going on a long trip where you don't need to carve twisties pump your tires up to 40psi or so to cut rolling resistence.

[speedpenguin]

wouldnt that put more wear on your brake pads which would mean you would have to replace them more often? which it will prolly be cheaper just wasting gas than replacing your pads alot more often? i dunno, what would i know lol, im still a noob, just my 2 cents

Only if you hit your brakes while going down the aforementioned hill
There's really no need to hit your brakes unless you hit a sudden corner. In fact, decreasing the rolling resistance means you can actually build up momentum and increase speed for going up the next hill without using any extra gas. Just be careful, and this is probably not advisable in an auto.

[A20A1]

Time to install a toyota synergy drive... go down hill with some advanage.

[89AccordResto]

advantage. :P What's synergy?

[speedpenguin]

advantage. :P What's synergy?

He's referring to HSD or Hybrid Synergy Drive. AKA the system they have in the Prius. If you had to brake going down a hill, it would then charge the battery.

[Busted_Blue]

He's referring to HSD or Hybrid Synergy Drive. AKA the system they have in the Prius. If you had to brake going down a hill, it would then charge the battery.

stripp your car to save more weight.

[MessyHonda]

stripp your car to save more weight.

i already stiped my interior i will take some pics and performace times...after i put in some 91 octane fuel...cuz 87 feels weak...or it could be my carb cuz i had to change it and now it takes like 30 secs to reach 100mph@3800rpm on 4th

[lostforawhile]

I thought that only works if you have a fast car

... now if only I could inflate my tires with nitrogen? then I'd be set...

already do,doesn't make much difference

[lostforawhile]

It may not for our cars (what with them being from the 80s) and certain cars (like the Scion xB) but in most cases, closing your windows and turning on your AC will give you better mileage than rolling your windows down. Scientifically proven, but I can't cite the exact study (I heard it on Cartalk) That's why cars all look streamlined and curvy now. It's not just styling, it's to reduce drag. Personally, I can't do it, since my AC doesn't work, but if I could I would, since I have a hatch, which from our cars probably has the lowest drag.
Drafting is the shit.

just don't drive with the vent windows open on the hatch,they are like speed brakes on an airplane

[A20A1]

already do,doesn't make much difference

I was trying to keep my tires from deflating so quickly on me... you didn't quote that part of my post. :|

[89AccordResto]

i already stiped my interior i will take some pics and performace times...after i put in some 91 octane fuel...cuz 87 feels weak...or it could be my carb cuz i had to change it and now it takes like 30 secs to reach 100mph@3800rpm on 4th

Higher octane will do nothing for your car except waste money.

[Deadhead]

Higher octane will do nothing for your car except waste money.

true that... use the recommended, which is 86 or higher octane. Use higher octane if you are experiencing pre-ignition or if you have forced induction.

Use what the car was designed for... 87 should be just fine for your car.

[speedpenguin]

just don't drive with the vent windows open on the hatch,they are like speed brakes on an airplane

Read my earlier post about how driving with your windows open puts more drag on the car than turning your AC on.

[w261w261]

Go to www.zmax.com and read the tests they've done. They are the only manufacturer of all the addives claiming to increase gas mileage that the FTC let off the hook, because they had rigorous tests (SAE, etc) to back up their claims. Looks like the additional mileage is about 4%, which would be 1 mpg for us. How much the cost of Zmax would offset that I don't know.

[shepherd79]

Zmax is junk. i used it in my old car and it didn't do shit.
as for using higher octane, you will be waisting money. I ran 87, 89 and 93 in my car and the 87 octane gave me the best MPG, idle and acceleration.

[Vanilla Sky]

the consumer's union (consumer reports) tested zmax. turned out to be essentially mineral oil.

[Baveara]

and bullshizznet i have tested all the fuel and the best bang for the buck is 89 plus grade fuel i found that it gives me 25 were 87 will give me 21mpg.

[w261w261]

I went to the web site of consumer reports, and the only mention of Zmax I could find was a gratuitous comment by their auto guy. Did they actually do a test of the product? Do you know when it was?

[Vanilla Sky]

this was when it was new. in order to get access to any of their archives, you have to subscribe to their site.

[w261w261]

i'm a member. i'll check it out.

[speedpenguin]

and bullshizznet i have tested all the fuel and the best bang for the buck is 89 plus grade fuel i found that it gives me 25 were 87 will give me 21mpg.

It also depends on tuning and the condition of your engine. Different cars will do better with different grades, even if they're all 3Gs. There's an entire thread about this somewhere.

[Vanilla Sky]

i'm a member. i'll check it out.

cool beans.

if i remember correctly, this is a product from the mid to late nineties. check the april issues first, then look around.

one "additive" i got a boost in economy with was seafoam. i cleaned the engine out with it and i got almost a whole MPG of consistant economy boost. that's counting the 3 or 4 tanks prior (getting 20-21MPG) and the several tanks after (about 22-23MPG). keep in mind that my truck had been sitting for almost 2 years.

[lostforawhile]

I was trying to keep my tires from deflating so quickly on me... you didn't quote that part of my post. :|

oh it won't make much of a difference,only helps keep your tire pressure stable at different tempratures. do you maby have a bad valve core or something leaking somewhere?

[Vanilla Sky]

actually, they lose less pressure from seepage through the rubber as well.

around here, it's like $20 for a fill on all 4 tires.

[speedpenguin]

actually, they lose less pressure from seepage through the rubber as well.
around here, it's like $20 for a fill on all 4 tires.

Isn't nitrogen heavier than air?