How can I get better gas mileage on my car?

Question

I have a 2000 Dodge Neon and would like to know some tips to help get better gas mileage. I have a K&N permanent air filter that I clean at least once every 6 months, but would like other ideas that would help.

Answer 1

Actually ladies, if you keep a car in "top tune", sometimes even that doesn't work, but it does help.

The best way that I have found to keep good gas mileage:
1. Yearly tune-ups, plugs/wires/cap/rotor
2. every 6months fuel filter/air filter
3. monthly checks on tire pressure
4. And an occasional bottle of alcohol(rubbing) in the tank to keep down the water in the gas. Rubbing alcohol costs less and does the same job as the expensive gas treatments. About every 3months is good.
5. Keeping your "Foot" off the pedal and doing the limits also help, but your NEON has a 4cylinder, maybe a 6 not likely though, and they already get good mileage anyway and are not designed for long haul speeds over 60-65-70.
6. Last but not least, keeping your vehicle in top condition when it comes to any type of repair, esp. exhaust, will help in your quest for better gas mileage.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Answer 2

Switch from regular to Platinum tip spark plugs. They cost more, but will increase feul efficiency and horsepower. When doing this, I would upgrade to a Bosch Distributer cap and rotor - essentially, this is a tune-up for an injection system (not carburated).

I would have a mechanic check all your seals and gaskets to make sure there are no leaks, particularly in the block of your engine.

Keep tires properly inflated (this is typically about 3-5 psi below the recommended inflation, i.e. on a Neon your tires probably say 35 psi, so fill it to 32 psi). Friction results when tires meet pavement, and with friction comes heat. As heat increases, so does pressure, thus increasing psi within the tire. ALWAYS check tire pressure before a trip - NEVER during. Because of increased pressure, if you add air to a tire during a trip you can overinflate resulting in uneven wear and perhaps tire failure (blow outs). You see lots of flat tires on the highway in California during the summer for this reason.

I also get better gas mileage with Chevron 91 octane (noticably more than any other maker by about 7-10 mpg). Essentially all gasoline has the same base, but what make Chevron, Shell, Unocal, etc unique is the detergents they add during the conversion process from crude to gasoline. Chevron, to me (on my Honda, Chevy and VW), has fuel with better detergents to help your engine run cleaner and more efficiently. Other than that, all you can really do is keeep your windows up, A/C off, and perhaps your heater on (the heater blows heat off the engine making it run cooler, and thereby uses less gas because it is again more efficient).

Answer 3

Aside from the cleaning of the air filter, there are several factors you have to consider in order to get the best possible mileage out of your car. I would suggest checking your tire pressure and maintain at least 32 psi on each wheel. Also, mind your speed when driving. Jack rabbit starts and unneccesary speeding also contributes to your poor gas mileage. Make sure you adhere to the manufacturer's suggestion of when to tune up your car and that will definetly help.

Answer 4

You can only do a very few things other than what you have done with your breather. Never run the A.C. unit, even when you are running the heat. Jackrabbit starts should be replaced with rollon starts. Never depress the accelerator more than 50% at any one time. Run tire pressure at maximum levels. One caveat, do not run the pressure if your tires are not in new condition. There is also a trade off as suspension components are going to take more of a beating at the higher pressure.

Answer 5

fill the tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air. (Don't know if this works firsthand, but it is a trend where I live and people are claiming good mileage.)

Keep it in top tune. Good plugs, wires, etc.

Also consider your driving. Us leadfoots will get better gas mileage if we would get to speed limit and stay there instead of constantly accelerating and decelerating.

Answer 6

add 5 or 6 lbs to the tire pressure, Accelerate slower and break slower. take all extra weight out of the car as that will reduce your mileage. Good luck I hope this helps!

Answer 7

Keep your car tuned up.
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Don't keep a whole bunch of stuff in your car that you don't need so that you can reduce the weight as much as possible.
Change your driving habits.
Slow your approach to signals so that the light can turn green before you get there.
Don't use the AC and keep your windows up if possible.

Answer 8

Get rid of the junk in the trunk.
Regular car servicing like oil changes, fluid levels,
Maintain the right tire pressure
Turn off the engine while waiting for someone.
If you live up North, you don't have to let your car sit in the driveway "heating up" for 20 minutes.

Answer 9

Correct tire pressure
Empty the trunk of any junk
Periodic battery and alternator maintenance
Replace spark plugs at appropriate intervals
Carpool, walk or ride a bicycle
Check radiator cap for proper pressurization
Automatic transmission fluid level check
Check for dragging brake pads
Wheel alignment

Answer 10

Push it instead of driving it?

Actually - keep your tire pressure where it should be can make a huge difference.

Don't believe the promises of the different chemicals that they say to put in your gas tank - they don't usually work.