I know that switching to 5w20 full synthetic can provide a "marginal" improvement to your car's mileage, but are there any other cheap "over the counter" things I can do to improve mileage (other than keep my tire pressure where it needs to be)?

As gas prices go up I want to do anything I can (within reason) to improve mileage ... even if it only gives me an extra 0.05mpg.

 

as i read on one of these threads on SL put a hot cup of coffee in your lap with no lid and don't spill it on take off stopping and turning

put a egg under the gas peddle and you should be good to go after that

 

lol idk if it works but check it out , and theres also an article about how some crazy japanese ppl hacked a prius to get 116mpg! !!!!!!!!!!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/524517...as_mileage_2x/

 

I just tried that. Now I have 2nd degree burns on my crotch and I'm cleaning egg off the floor.


How was that supposed to help my mileage?

Seriously, other than driving like a grandpa (which I already do most of the time) is there anything I can do in terms of maintenance to my car to improve gas mileage?

 

all u can do is coastttttttttttttt

 

* Increase your tire pressures far past OEM recommendations. Remember, they're just recommendations - as long as you stay under the maximum sidewall pressure (remember, cold!) you should be fine. I keep mine at 40/39 (OEM rec's: 32/29). Increase handling performance, and reduce rolling resistance

* Drive as if you have no brakes. This means always coast/use engine braking in your current gear for as long as possible

* As a subsection to that, always try to make it so that you come to lights, you are still moving by the time it turns green (so this requires developing a keener sense of coasting and modulating the brakes a little early). Basically, try to never stop. It's much easier to accelerate an already moving vehicle than to start from a dead stop.

* Get rid of unncessary weight.

* Drive smart - keep a far distance from the car ahead of you. Not only will this prevent crashes, rock chips, etc, but it'll also make for less stressful driving. Cars in front of you will be able to slow down/turn/whatever, and because you have a nice "buffer zone" - you won't have to slow down at all. Keep a constant speed.

*Another subsection to that - use cruise control whenever possible (unless you live in a really hilly area). Yes, even in town - if its safe. The concept is that the computer can keep a steadier "foot" on the throttle than you can. Even if you feel its pretty steady by yourself - the computer can probably still do better than you, even if you're not capable of perceiving the difference in smoothness.

With the last few, the concept is to keep as steady a throttle as possible, because most engines only "sip" fuel at a constant amount of throttle. Acceleration is what really "wastes" gas - this is also why you can get some nice MPG on the highway.

Oh and just to tell you... I'm not really gentle on the throttle (well, I am civilized most of the time, but I don't "granny" it), but I don't go over 3k RPM before changing to the next gear. I also don't accelerate out of a gear if its below 2k. I'll downshift and then go again (unless I'm in second gear... a very flexible gear).

 

a hot air intake = improved gas mileage also...

 

... lammmme.

would you believe a website that has videos such as these too?
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/501117...d_unlocks_car/


i wouldn't.

 

lol i said i wouldnt do it, just thought it was interesting

 

exersize daily lol
less weight equals more mpg!

 

This is actually very, very true.

 

1. keep tire pressure above 35 psi- free
2. K&N drop in filter - 35 bucks
3. remove restrictive intake snorkle - free
4. Keep windows up while moving - free
5 NGK irridium plugs gapped to .044. - under 40 bucks.

Also follow paul34's advice on how to drive for max mpgs. Good stuff!

 

only applicable to 1st gen xBs and xAs

the tC already has iridium plugs.