Myth 1: Using cruise control helps save gas.
Truth: Cruise control is designed to keep a vehicle at a constant speed, so drivers assume this will save them fuel. When driving for extended periods of time on the highway, this may be true. But the sudden acceleration that cruise control uses on inclines burns a lot of fuel. It's equivalent to you slamming on the gas pedal yourself, and that's never a fuel-efficient practice.
Myth 2: Fill up at the coldest part of the day to get more gas.
Truth: "Fill up in the morning during the coolest part of the day," they said. "You'll get more gas," they said. Since liquids are denser at lower temperatures, it would seem that you would get the most gas for your buck when it is cold outside, but this isn't true. Gasoline is pumped from storage tanks that are insulated for fluctuating temperatures, so even when it's cooler out you won't experience any noticeable savings.
Myth 3: The older your vehicle gets, the more your gas mileage decreases.
Truth: If you don't maintain your vehicle properly, then, yes, it will decrease in performance and efficiency. However, if you follow through with your regular routine maintenance and repairs, you shouldn't see any drastic decrease in fuel economy just because the age of the vehicle is increasing.
Myth 4: Shift into neutral at stops to save gas.
Truth: Today, vehicles have computerized fuel-injection systems that are able to sense if a car is revving above idle when you take your foot off the accelerator. The fuel-injectors shut off and no longer inject gas into the engine, so the only thing you are doing by shifting your car in and out of neutral is wearing down the shift components.
Myth 5: Topping off the tank gets you better mileage.
Truth: We're all guilty of topping off the tank once the pump has automatically shut off. Many people believe that they are getting more fuel this way, helping them get a little further on one tank of gas. The truth is, once the nozzle shuts off, all additional gas goes into the gas station's vapor recovery system and back into storage tanks. Also, AAA has stated that topping off your tank could possibly damage your vehicle's evaporative emissions system.
Now that the truth has been spoken, you can avoid falling for these fuel efficiency myths and stop the strange car behavior. Ultimately, the best way to save on gas is to drive the speed limit, keep your tires optimally pumped, steadily accelerate and maintain that speed, come to steady stops, and keep up on vehicle maintenance. Of course, having a vehicle designed with fuel efficiency in mind will help you, too. We have vehicles offering incredible fuel efficiency, like the 2016 Ford Fusion Energi, 2016 Ford Fiesta, without compromising good looks and functionality.
Seymour Ford Lincoln is located at 2601 Seymour Road in Jackson, Michigan 49201. No matter what your auto need, we will work hard to ensure you never leave our dealership unsatisfied! Visit us at SeymourFord.com and SeymourLincoln.net or give us a call at (517) 787-9500.
