quote:

ORIGINAL: YeuEmMaiMai

Some of that advice is just flat out wrong if you have a J30a (Accord V6 engine 1998-2002) or about newer gars in general

1. Using premium fuel will NOT result in better economy and will result in less efficient engine operation for the J30a (this has been proven on the dyno and at the track)

2. A/C does not suck up 20% fuel ecomony. Every car I have had since I can remember it was less than 2MPG difference between A/C and no A/C with the widows UP. All of my cars since my 1989 sable actually got better gas milage with the windows up and A/C on than with windows down and A/C off.

My 1992 Sable with a 3.8L got 32MPG with the air on at 75Mph and windows down

My 1994 accord with 140K+ on it gets 34.5MPG at 80 with the A/C on and 32.7 with the windows down and A/C off.

my 1998 accord with a V6 gets 33.7 at 78MPH with the A/C on and windows up and 30.8 with the windows down and A/C off.

3. The best thing you can do to get excellent fuel economy is to keep your foot AWAY from high rpm accelleration. Moderate (low mid RPM shift points) seems to work very well for my V6 car and slightly higher RPM for my I4 car.

4. Constantly taking your auto in and out of gear at stops will DEFINATELY wear it out faster. is the few pennies you have saved in gas worth the 3-5K for a new trans?

5. Defroster on a 10 minuite timer has a neglegible affect on fuel economy.

6. Cruise control will yeild better fuel economy than 99% of the drivers out there....becuase they are not usually paying attention to that up coming hill.

7. manual transmission numbers are bogus for the accord (and most likely all newer cars. For the 2006 accords the difference in weight between a manual and auto is a measly 66lbs and they are rated for the same on the highway (source autos.msn.com)

lx coupe with 5spd manual 3056lbs
lx coupe with 5spd autoran 3122lbs

EPA fuel economy

5-Speed Auto Overdrive I4 24 / 34 mpg
5-Speed Auto Overdrive V6 20 / 29 mpg
5-Speed Man. Overdrive I4 26 / 34 mpg
6-Speed Man. Overdrive V6 21 / 30 mpg

For the 6th gen the weight difference is the same a measly 66lbs

Curb Weight - Automatic (lb.) 3009
Curb Weight - Manual (lb.) 2943

EPA fuel economy

4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 22 / 29 mpg (135HP non Vtec)
4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 23 / 30 mpg (150HP Vtec)
4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 20 / 28 mpg (200HP V6 Vtec)
5-Speed Manual Overdrive 24 / 31 mpg (135HP non Vtec)
5-Speed Manual Overdrive 25 / 31 mpg (150HP Vtec)

I can sum up better fuel economy in one paragraph.

To get better fuel economy do the following: 1) use gas recommended by the manufacturer unless you have modified your car to use something different. 2) do not drive aggressively. Keep your car clean on the outside and inside and do not use it as a suitcase or toolbox. 3) Keep your car in top shape mechanically and do the recomended maint as outlined by the auto manufacturer. At highway speeds with newer cars use the A/C and keep the windows up. If you drive a early 80's or older brick, it really does not matter what you do since there is so much drag on the car anyways.

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ORIGINAL: itzztrick

I have this pill I put in whenever I put gas, which supposively increases my mpg 20%. I tried it and it works! It's pretty cool.

quote:

ORIGINAL: sir_nasty
AKA: 15 lbs giant park bench of a wing isn't going to do anything for you besides change the way people look at you...

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ORIGINAL: smaglik
I tried tea-bagging my gas-hole once.  FWIW, it didnt improve my fuel economy.