CNNMoney.com - Fuel saving tips that just don't work

[larrydag]

Interesting link from CNNMoney. I don't agree with #4. #5 is suspect as well.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/12/auto..._not_save_gas/

[SVOboy]

I emailed them to whine,

[steensn]

#5 isn't a myth, it's true, it's just there are tradoffs with doing it...

#6 should also have a * by it, there are fuel additives that "clean" parts of your engine to keep it running at optimum but you don't need them every gas tank. The way they worded it someone might think that nay fuel additive is bad.

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I emailed them to whine,

Ya got me whining too.

[Frankenstipe]

I agree with number 4 a lot, I notice a lot of you over-inflate your tires for better MPG. I personally think it's just too risky and dangerous, just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done.

Also number 2 is just retarded, sure it may not net you MPG, but it hardly costs $20 to replace the damn thing and it helps improve the life of your engine.

[Silveredwings]

I hafta say, that was a pretty low quality article in general.

I can think of 6 more mpg myths:

1. Studies have shown that drilling holes in the bottom of your gas tank leads to lower gas mileage, not higher.
2. All other things remaining equal, replacing a Prius with an H2 Hummer rarely results in less money spent at the pump.
3. When pumping your own gas into your car, there is a way to hold the nozzle trigger so that once your tank is full, an additional gallon or more spills on the ground. Contrary to common belief, this practice results in more gas wasted rather than less.
4. If you drive a 4 wheel drive pickup truck as a highway commuter vehicle, driving at 90 mph can sometimes waste gas. Also at these speeds, the high-lift suspensions, oversize off-road tires, and that bank of off-road spotlights all increase this effect.
5. If when sitting at red lights, instead of letting your engine idle or even turning it off, revving your engine to above redline just to hear the valves float may actually lead to higher fuel consumption.
6. Disconnecting half of the spark plug wires only causes your engine to run rough and results in no savings what so ever.

I hope this was helpful. Maybe othes can fuel this thread with even more gas-saving myths.

[Bror Jace]

It's CNN ... did anyone REALLY think this article would be anything but a collection of half-witted nonsense?

And they are quoting the safety, safety, safety folks at Consumer Reports who (seemingly) can think of nothing else but the most boring (but safe!) vehicles.

I like the way they say inflate/overinflate tires as though it is a two-position switch you can throw ... and not a matter of degree ... and they didn't mention that the auto mfr. specs are nothing other than a compromise (which may not be to the liking of the owner). These idiots would have you believe those mfr numbers were sacred gospel.

[ebacherville]

Consumer reports!!! .. well now I'm surly increasing my tire pressure.. truthers know what I'm talking about

[Bror Jace]

I like Consumer Reports for reliability data. After 2+ decades of cars, I've found their data mirrors what I've seen on the road.

However, when they start ratings cars, features, etc ... they put both feet in their mouth.

[kevlar]

Originally Posted by Silveredwings

I hafta say, that was a pretty low quality article in general.

I can think of 6 more mpg myths:

1. Studies have shown that drilling holes in the bottom of your gas tank leads to lower gas mileage, not higher.
2. All other things remaining equal, replacing a Prius with an H2 Hummer rarely results in less money spent at the pump.
3. When pumping your own gas into your car, there is a way to hold the nozzle trigger so that once your tank is full, an additional gallon or more spills on the ground. Contrary to common belief, this practice results in more gas wasted rather than less.
4. If you drive a 4 wheel drive pickup truck as a highway commuter vehicle, driving at 90 mph can sometimes waste gas. Also at these speeds, the high-lift suspensions, oversize off-road tires, and that bank of off-road spotlights all increase this effect.
5. If when sitting at red lights, instead of letting your engine idle or even turning it off, revving your engine to above redline just to hear the valves float may actually lead to higher fuel consumption.
6. Disconnecting half of the spark plug wires only causes your engine to run rough and results in no savings what so ever.

I hope this was helpful. Maybe othes can fuel this thread with even more gas-saving myths.

Too funny, I love it!