The Consumer Reports recently analyzed several myths you may have heard about how to get the best fuel economy. Many think a dirty air filter automatically impacts fuel economy, however modern vehicles have computers which control the ratio of air to fuel. Because vehicles with modern engines adjust the amount of fuel used to reduce airflow, this doesn’t impact fuel efficiency. Although, cars will be affected in that they accelerate more slowly with a dirty filter. Getting better fuel economy used to mean warming up a car, however drivers can now reach the maximum efficiency if they drive immediately after starting a modern car. Another common myth is that if gas is purchased earlier in the day, while it is cooler out, the gas will be denser and therefore you’ll get more bang for your buck. However, gas is stored underground, therefore its temperature is nearly constant. Many also believe that independent fuel stations don’t have good quality gas, however they often have the same brand-name gas as other stations. If the station carries off-brand gas, it won’t have the additives engineered to clean engines, but your car should still be fine without them.
Another popular misconception is that premium gasoline increases efficiency. However, in a majority of vehicles premium doesn’t have any effect on fuel economy. In high-performance engines, premium may increase their power on hills or during acceleration, however there isn’t really a chance a driver will notice. Some think that leaving your window open while driving will impact a vehicle’s fuel economy, however test results revealed it has no effect on miles per gallon. Turning on the air conditioning while driving slightly lowers a car’s fuel efficiency. Many drivers may also think that low rolling resistance result in better performance, however this may have other adverse effects by sacrificing wet-braking performance along with tread life. It’s better to get tires with proper performance in both areas.
As a personal injury attorney, I hope you evaluate your car’s gas economy along with its safety performance in order to ensure you are both saving on gas expenses and driving a car with proper safety devices. If you or someone dear to you was harmed by an unsafe vehicle or unsafe driver, you may want to discuss your claim with an attorney who can evaluate your claim. An attorney can guide you through the steps associated with your case and answer any questions you may have concerning your claim.
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