Consumer News And Recalls

BOSTON (WBZ) ― With gas prices spiking so dramatically, it seems everybody is trying to find the tricks to save gasoline. We sort through the truth and the rumors.


"I should fill my tank in the morning when temperatures are cooler. The gasoline is denser, giving me more miles per gallon."

FICTION

While it is true that temperature affects gas' density, the impact is very slight. Every 15 degree change only expands or compacts gas by one percent. Gas station storage tanks are buried several feet underground, keeping the temperature in those tanks relatively constant. Thus, the impact of the time of day is negligible.

Source: API 


"Keeping my gas tank at least half-full will improve my gas mileage"

FICTION

There are several email chains circulating that claim you should never let your gas tank get below the halfway point, in order to reduce the amount of fuel that evaporates from your tank. However, technical changes in recent years have virtually eliminated fuel evaporation losses from most vehicles.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy


"If I'm resting in my car or in a traffic jam, I should let my car idle so that I don't waste gas when I restart it." 

FICTION

If you plan to be stopped for at least 30 seconds, it is recommended that you turn your car off. Modern cars use less gas being shut off and turned back on, than they do idling. Time spent idling gets you 0 miles per gallon.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy


"I should remove tires, bike racks, luggage and the like from my car if I'm not using it."

FACT

Removing excess weight from your vehicle can help you operate it more efficiently. According to the U.S. Department of Energy and extra 100 pounds in your car can reduced your MPG by 2 percent.

Source: AAA


"Using my air conditioner reduces my gas mileage."

FACT

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, reducing how much you use your air conditioner can improve fuel economy by as much as two miles per gallon. When you do use your air conditioner, experts recommend using the 'recirculate' setting, so that you are staring with cooler air.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy


"Driving with my windows down decreases my gas mileage"

IT DEPENDS

Generally speaking, if you are driving below highway speeds, the drag created by an open window is minimal. At highway speeds however, this changes. It also varies based on what type of vehicle you drive.

According to a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the drag created at highway speeds by the open windows of an SUV is not significant. That's because the vehicle's large size and boxy shape already create a lot of natural drag. In a sedan, however, the vehicle's natural drag is much smaller - so an open window has a bigger impact.

Source: Society of Automotive Engineers


"Using cruise control will help me conserve gas and save money."

FACT

Unnecessary acceleration and deceleration wastes gas. Using cruise control helps maintain a constant speed, thus avoiding that waste. Similarly, avoiding aggressive driving saves gas because you avoid unnecessary rapid starts and stops.

Source:AAA


"The time of day that I travel will make a difference in my gas savings."

FACT

AAA recommends that you plan your trips at the times of day when you are least likely to face traffic congestion. You'll save gas by minimizing your stops and starts.

Source: AAA


"I know this great gas station that's only about five miles out of my way - and it's way cheaper. What a bargain."

FICTION

Traveling those extra five miles in each direction, you will use about a half-gallon of gas. At today's prices that will cost you about $2. In order to break even you would have to be saving 10 cents a gallon, and have a 20 gallon tank.

You can find the station near you that has the lowest prices by visiting wbztv.com's gas price finder.

Source: wbztv.com/gasprices


"Keeping my car well-tuned can make a difference in my gas mileage." 

FACT

Keeping your car aligned, with fresh oil and filters, will allow it to operate more easily and thus increase your fuel economy.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy


"Staying at the speed limit will save me gas."

FACT

For most vehicles, fuel economy is optimized at or near the speed limit. While there are lower bounds to this rule - e.g. Driving 20 miles per hour is too slow to optimize fuel efficiency - speed limits will typically keep you near peak performance. In most vehicles, gas mileage decreases above 60 miles per hour.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

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