Close Menu
Zero2Turbo
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram RSS
    Zero2Turbo
    • Home
    • Contact
    • Videos
      Featured

      BMW M2 CS Grabs Compact Car Nürburgring Record

      By Zero2TurboJuly 3, 2025
      Recent

      BMW M2 CS Grabs Compact Car Nürburgring Record

      July 3, 2025

      Akrapovic Exhaust Now Available For Your New V8 Hybrid Bentley

      July 3, 2025

      1,341 HP (1,000 kW) Mercedes-AMG Concept GT XX Previews Next GT 4‑Door Coupé

      June 26, 2025
    • South Africa
    • Zero2Turbo Telegram
    Zero2Turbo
    Home»News»Fuel Economy Myths
    News

    Fuel Economy Myths

    By Zero2TurboMay 18, 2016Updated:March 28, 2017No Comments
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram

    Start a discussion about fuel economy and you are going to get a lot of opinions. For example, Should you use premium fuel when regular is called for? Is it best to buy a small car for maximum fuel mileage? Do older cars get worse gas mileage than brand new ones?  Yup, there are no shortage of opinions out there and some people still belief in what are really just myths.  We asked the service manager at Ken Garff of West Valley, UT, a Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram dealer for a hand with this and they gave us their take on a whole lot of fuel economy myths.

    Myth: A car’s fuel economy decreases with age
    If your car is a decade or so old, is it starting to become less efficient?  According to the EPA, there is no truth in this.  Older cars are not less fuel efficient.  One argument you could make is that getting a new, more efficient car will get you higher gas mileage but there is nothing wrong with keeping an older car on the road.

    Myth: Letting a vehicle warm up is best for gas mileage
    This was true in the old days when cars had carburetors but not today.  Today’s cars have fuel injectors and they are designed to be as soon as the car is started. It is true an engine should reach an optimal operating temperature for best fuel economy, but manufacturers recommend letting the engine warm up while you drive.

    Myth: Smaller cars get better the fuel economy
    This also used to be true years ago but not so much now. Fuel saving technologies including direct injection, turbocharging, low rolling resistant tires and multiple ratio transmissions are making average sedans quite fuel efficient.

    Myth: Manual transmissions are more efficient than automatics
    Not anymore! Some of the advanced automatic transmissions today actually offer the same gas mileage as the manual versions do.  Automatic transmission technology has come a long way.  With a large number of gear ratios and lock-up torque convertors, today’s automatics  are very efficient devices


    Myth: You can count on EPA fuel economy window stickers
    The primary purpose of EPA fuel economy estimates is to provide consumers with a uniform, unbiased way of comparing the MPG of different vehicles. In truth, “Your mileage will likely vary.” There are too many variables to account for including how people drive and even the type of gas put in the car.

    Myth: It takes more fuel to start a car than allowing it to idle
    Well, it depends how long you leave your car idling. Idling may use about a quart of fuel per hour and thus cost 1-2 cents per minute. New engines start very efficiently, especially when warmed.  There is little truth to this myth.

    Myth: Premium gas yields better economy than regular
    There is no benefit when using premium fuel over regular.  Premium gas usually has higher octane numbers and is designed for use in higher-compression engines.  There is nothing added that boosts the efficiency of the gasoline.  If your car is designed to run on regular gas, then use regular gas.  It will be cheaper gas too so there’s your fuel economy.

    Myth: Air filters need to be like new for best fuel economy
    This one sounds like common sense, but the fact is modern fuel injected engines compensate for dirty air filters by reducing fuel to the air-fuel mix. This myth is a holdover from the days of carbureted engines when dirty air filters choked down the airflow.

    Myth: There are additives can increase fuel economy
    Well, there are plenty of products that claim they do.  These are additives to the fuel and some for your engine oil.  Independent testing labs have concluded in all cases that we know of that there is little truth to these claims.  Save your money and buy more gasoline!

    Share. Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram
    Previous ArticleAre Naturally Aspirated Engines Going Extinct?
    Next Article 7 Driving Facts to Remember Whenever You’re Behind the Wheel

    Related Posts

    Ferrari Says Buy A Classic If You Want A Manual

    July 4, 2025

    Sinister Land Rover Defender Octa Black Revealed

    July 4, 2025

    Ariel Celebrates 25 Years Of The Atom With Extreme 525 HP (391 kW) 4RR

    July 3, 2025

    BMW M2 CS Grabs Compact Car Nürburgring Record

    July 3, 2025

    Akrapovic Exhaust Now Available For Your New V8 Hybrid Bentley

    July 3, 2025

    Updated Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Revealed With 473 HP (353 kW)

    July 3, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube RSS
    Designed by Zero2Turbo.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.