Ten Gas Saving Tips and Exceptions for Real People - Jalopnik
 

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Nothing enlightening and I think the exceptions are mostly for humor value. But, at least it's something.

Glad Ford put something out... wonder where it's hiding?

For us - yes, but I can imagine some people actually think of those exceptions as excuses. Here are some examples:
How does one define "today's engine"? One might think anything built in the last 2-5 years, while there are probably 15 y.o. engines which shouldn't be idled. "Today's engine" means "brand new and extra expensive" for some.

I got my EsYouVee 'cause it's made to go off-road. Yeah, I never been off the pavement in the 18 years I own it, but one day I might need to. So I'll keep my pressure extra low, just in case.

How was I to know earlier that I'll need 12 beers this evening, instead of the usual 10?

The bit about the heater isn't all that accurate - the heater is free to use in terms of fuel. the only way it could use fuel is the extra load on the alternator to spin the blower. This is pretty minimal and the heater and blower are independent. My truck flows a lot of air with the blower off anyway (cowl pressure ftw!). The AC of course adds quite a lot of additional load, but the motor is making heat anyway, the only question is whether you want to dissipate it all though the radiator or though the radiator and heater core:)

You're generally right about the heater. A couple exceptions:
- My car often doesn't reach full operating temperature before I arrive, so using the heater will keep it in gas-thirsty warmup mode longer. Once it's warm, the heater is nearly free.
- If the heater is also running AC for the dehumidifying effect. Many modern cars do this "automagically".

Very true on the second point, on the first I'm not sure - the t-stat stays closed till its warmed up regardless of whether you have the heater on. Only diff is flow though the heater core vs/rad. Having the heater on shouldn't alter warm up time much if any.

If you have an automagic car you could put a toggle switch in the dash to disable the AC compressor clutch easily enough :)

One area where the heater will improve mpg is if you are in the city and the motor is hot enough that the cooling fan or fan-clutch is doing its thing :)

Is it just me or do they put a retarded spin on everything they cover?

I see a lot of articles like this popping up lately, I guess gas is getting expensive again?

I haven't noticed.

I try to help people sometimes, but have pretty much learned that unless they ask they're not willing to change. You should see how hard of a time I have convincing people they don't get there any faster doing 55 versus 65.

I've done that, when it's 100+ degrees out. :eek:

Sliding the temperature selector to Hot, even with the fan off, extends my already long warmup by miles. Maybe not all cars are like that, but mine is. I guess my heater core is a direct line that bypasses the thermostat.