Comments on: Fuel Economy Tip – Drive Like You’re On Eggshells

By: Matt!

Matt! — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:30:17 +0000

@Mrbmp I’m with you. If the next light is red and I can feel the timings on when it’s going to go green, I only accelerate enough to eventually coast back down to a near stop near the next light. Then I watch the opposing green to turn yellow. Goal? Don’t use the brakes unless you have to! Of course, common sense applies.

By: Mrbmp

Mrbmp — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:56:54 +0000

You are both dead wrong.
Letting off the gas early and coasting most of the way to a stop definately helps gas mileage. If you have a vehicle with a MPG indicator watch what it does while you are coasting, it will go off the scale! I can easily get 2-3 more MPG average per tank using this technique.

By: big-x

big-x — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:36:02 +0000

this isn’t true either. the sooner you get to a higher gear for cruising the les gas you use. years ago popular mechanics “say smokey” did a comparison on this and found after many tests that the sooner you get up to speed the less gas you use. even my trip computer shows a difference between quick and slow

By: David

David — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 09:24:00 +0000

I hate to be a downer, but braking more slowly in no way saves you money on gasoline; maybe on brake pads, maybe decreasing the risk of an accident, but in no way does it increase fuel economy, not unless you’re driving a hybrid.

The only possible theory is that by braking later, you’re keeping your RPM’s higher longer, and reducing them earlier by braking earlier. Maybe, MAYBE for an automatic transmission.

If we go by your tips for a manual, which is essentially hit the clutch and brake, it wouldn’t matter when you were braking, because upon hitting the clutch, your car’s RPM’s drop to idle no matter what speed you’re going, as long as your foot’s off the gas.