With gas prices climbing, what are some things the average consumer can do to enhance their automobile?

Question

I'm talking about simple things like a Tornado Fuel Saver or an Air Hog Air Filter. Any ideas on what things to improve efficiency of the auto?

Answer 1

Popular Mechanics tested a Tornado Fuel Saver a while ago. Results were 10% less power and no improvement in mileage. Believe it or not, that was among the better results they had when they tested gadgets that were claimed to improve mileage -the best of them did absolutely nothing, many made mileage worse, and one set the engine on fire. Email me if you want the complete results - it's no longer archived on their website, but I've got a copy of the magazine around somewhere.

Mechanically, your best bet is to just be sure everything on the car is functioning correctly. One of the most important ones is to keep the tires correctly inflated. You may even want to inflate them a few PSI more than the car manufacturer recommends - just don't go over the maximum pressure shown on the tire sidewall.

There is one sound mod that you can make that might give you an improvement: Replace metal body panels with fiberglass or carbon fiber ones. Less weight can make for better mileage.

Answer 2

Keeping the maintanence up on it like simple oil changes and tune ups Tornado is a goooood idea with a cold air intake as well but dont buy the tornado first buy the cold air intake then try and buy a thicker cable to ground you distributor so you can get a better spark out of your spark plugs thats something you can start with?

Answer 3

tornado fuel saver is joke, change the air filter yearly, check the air pressure in the tires very often, slow down, keep your car clean and waxed, yes it helps, even drag racers do it for an extra 10th, keep it tuned properly. oil changes make a difference.

Answer 4

car pool. all those things I got and I don't see any difference other than sound. The lighter your gas tank, the more miles you'll go but you'll have to keep putting gas every other 10 miles, but other than that there's no other alternative even if you drive a 4 cylinder car.