how should I drive my car in order to save the most gas? should I put the car in nuetral when coming to stops? shift down? what else should I know about standards to drive better....any tips would be great
2006-09-17 14:15:53 · 10 answers · asked by Stacy R 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Volkswagen
There is a number of things you can do to save gas.
1. Keep your tires iwell inflated.
2. When starting out from stops....DON'T do jackrabbit starts.
3. Don't bother with putting your car in neutral. Won't help.
4. Think and look ahead. Anytime you have to brake, heavily, to stop at a stop sign or red light, you are throwing the fuel away that you used to get too much speed up. It ends up as "brake heat".
5. Drive 55 to 60 MAX. Excessive speed will increase you fuel consumption tremendously.
6. DO NOT just sit and let the engine idle!! Thats wastes fuel. If you are going to stop for a few minutes, cut the engine off. (This doesn't apply to red lights)
7. DO NOT fill your vehicle with "useless", not to be used that day, junk. Added weight burns more fuel.
8. DO NOT ride the brakes while you are traveling.
Good luck. Pops
2006-09-17 14:29:47 · answer #1 · answered by Pops 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Down shifting only saves on break wear, not fuel. I have
2 cars, and one of them is a 1971 volkswagon. I drive the vw the most, why? I'll put it this way. I can drive from L.A. to Las Vegas on less than a tank of gas. I can drive from Las Vegas to Phoenix, "also" on less than a tank of gas.
Volkswagons (older models) are like a lawn mower with an attitude! I've had the 71 for 13 years & she's great!
2006-09-17 21:36:23 · answer #2 · answered by Republican!!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's best to downshift when slowing to stops, it keeps the car in gear in case you need to quickly get out of the way of someone barreling down from behind you or the like. To save gas the same tips apply to all cars... properly inflated tires, proper alignment, don't drive with a lead foot. You could switch the fluids to synthetic (motor oil, trans, and differential) this will lower friction. Also keep the car relatively clean... driving around with 100 lbs. of crap in the trunk doesn't help.
2006-09-17 21:26:05 · answer #3 · answered by fenderguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that it's a standard is a good start.
Neutral at stops helps...you can also do this when coasting or rolling down hills. Shifting down helps extend your brake life though, so it depends on whether or not you value the small savings on gas or risk needing brake replacement sooner rather than later.
Keep your tires inflated and go easy on the A/C. Just accelerate constantly and go easy on the pedal.
2006-09-17 21:25:15 · answer #4 · answered by The ~Muffin~ Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you get to your desired speed (35,45 mph), shift into overdrive as that saves you a lot of gas. Also, make sure you are in the right gear when you are driving. If you turn off the radio, you can hear when it is the right time to shift. Best wishes.
2006-09-17 21:24:57 · answer #5 · answered by Rhonda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drive and shift to the higher gear possible. A stick car will waste more gas if you speed in first, second and don't shift.
2006-09-17 21:25:28 · answer #6 · answered by wazup1971 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When driving down hills put it in neutral and then shift back into gear when you need to speed up again.
2006-09-17 21:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by none 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
plan your trips so you are not backtracking and wasting gas.
2006-09-17 21:20:32 · answer #8 · answered by macki4 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shut it off when not in use.
2006-09-18 14:11:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just don't drive it.
2006-09-17 21:23:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋