Top 5 Gas-Saving Myths

5 Gas Saving Myths

Hybrids Are Most Efficient Cars on the Road
Buying a hybrid doesn't guarantee that you're driving the most fuel-efficient car on the road. Consider the SUV hybrids. Some of these trucks, including the 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid and the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, get 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. That's the same or fewer miles per gallon than some gas-fueled SUVs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The 2008 Jeep Patriot boasts 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, for example, and the gas version of the 2008 Ford Escape gets 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
There are also a handful of conventional compact cars that receive better fuel mileage than some of the hybrid sedans. The Honda Civic (24 mpg city/36 mpg highway), Honda F

5 Gas Saving Myths

Don't Use the A/C
It used to be the case that driving with the air conditioner on would eat a lot of gas. But now that the air conditioners themselves are more efficient, there's no reason to go without the cooler air on a hot day anymore. While running the air conditioner still guzzles some extra gas, the difference is negligible compared with keeping the windows open (which causes drag) while driving at highway speed, according to Consumer Reports.

So what will preserve gas? Short of sweltering in the heat, drivers can keep the air conditioning on without sacrificing too much fuel-efficiency by nudging the temperature control up a couple of degrees, then blasting the fan speed to compensate for the slightly warmer breeze. What many folks don't realize is

5 Gas Saving Myths

Gadgets and Additives Will Help Improve Fuel-Efficiency
Almost everywhere you turn someone is advertising a gadget or an additive that promises to help drivers get more miles out of a tank of gas. In most cases, consumers are better off saving their money. The EPA tested more than 100 of these products and found that only a handful offers even a slight improvement in fuel efficiency. "In a best case scenario, these products aren't helping," says Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor of Cars.com. At their worst, they could damage the car and void the warranty, he says.

A particularly popular gadget that consumers should avoid costs $35 to $50, attaches to the air intake hose and swirls the air before it hits the gasoline. While marketers of these products claim it will improve fuel efficiency by aro

5 Gas Saving Myths

Buy Gas in the Morning
A long-held belief among some folks is that if they buy their gas early in the morning, when the outside temperature is lower, they'll get more bang for their buck. The theory is that cooler gasoline is denser and provides more energy per gallon than when it's warmer. That's true, but it doesn't mean drivers should rush to the pump before the sun rises. Since gas at a filling station is stored in underground tanks, its temperature doesn't fluctuate during the day, says Cars.com's Wiesenfelder. In other words, that unleaded tank drivers tap into is basically insulated from the heat of the sun. The only time gas temperatures meaningfully fluctuate is when the seasons change.

5 Gas Saving Myths

Pop the Car into Neutral When Going Downhill
The way drivers handle a vehicle can significantly impact gas consumption. Cruising 55 miles per hour or keeping tires properly inflated can greatly increase fuel efficiency. But there are a handful of other techniques that aren't worth the effort. For example, Hypermilers (people who adjust their driving habits to increase gas mileage) tout hugging a curve quickly instead of using the brakes. Another popular recommendation is to turn off the engine or pop an automatic transmission into neutral while going down a hill to preserve gasoline. Both practices will save gas, but are extremely dangerous, says Edmunds.com's Reed. When rolling down a hill, one can save nearly as much unleaded by simply taking a foot off the gas and allowing the vehicle to coast.

5 Gas Saving Myths