Fuel Economy Tips Best Cars

I was listening to the news last night and it seems experts expect gas prices to rise and stay high throughout the winter time. To save some money, I decided to do a little research about fuel economy improvement. Here are the tips I came up with:

Believe it or not, a majority of the tips have to do with the habits of the driver. Here are the driver related tips:

• Avoid the gas pedal and brake pedal as much as possible, in other words, try and anticipate what is happening to the traffic in front of you. Avoid aggressive driving habits like flooring it to make it through a light or from a dead stop. To avoid a wide range of speeds, use the Cruise Control as much as possible.
• Keep the speed under 60 miles per hour. Most cars are not as fuel efficient over 60 miles per hour.
• If you’re not moving, consider turning off your car; for example, if you have to wait for a train or at a dead stop due to an accident.

In addition to improving your driving habits, there are some mechanical items that will help save money at the pump:

• If you schedule regular maintenance and tune-up on your vehicle you could save as much as 4% in fuel costs.
• Change your air filter. A dirty or clogged air filter can add 10% or more to your fuel costs.
• Maintain the proper tire pressure. Make sure you check you tire pressure every time you fill up. Keep a tire gauge in the glove box.
• Use the proper fuel grade and motor oil. The manufacturer recommends specific grades of fuel and oil for a reason; they have been tested and have proven to optimize performance and gas mileage.
• Clean out your trunk or truck bed – you’re paying extra at the pump to tote these things around.

The best tip of all, however, is to buy a car with better fuel economy.

2008 Cars with the best fuel economy

The 2008 Toyota Prius is the best overall with 48 mpg city, and 45 mpg hwy. The following is a list complied by body style:

Best Fuel Economy Coupes

2008 Audi TT Roadster
22 mpg city, 29 mpg hwy

2008 Mazda MX-5
22 mpg city, 27 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Mini-Compact Cars

MINI Cooper Convertible
23 mpg city, 32 mpg hwy

MINI Cooper Convertible
22 mpg city, 30 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Subcompact Cars

2008 Toyota Yaris
29 mpg city, 36 mpg hwy

2008 Toyota Yaris
29 mpg city, 35 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Compact Cars

2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
40 mpg city, 45 mpg hwy

2008 Toyota Corolla
28 mpg city, 37 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Midsize Cars

2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid
48 mpg city, 45 mpg hwy

2008 Nissan Versa
26 mpg city, 31 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Large Cars

2008 Honda Accord Sedan
22 mpg city, 31 mpg hwy

2008 Honda Accord Sedan
21 mpg city, 31 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Small Station Wagons

2008 Honda Fit
28 mpg city, 34 mpg hwy

2008 Honda Fit
27 mpg city, 34 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Midsize Station Wagons

2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon
21 mpg city, 29 mpg hwy

2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon
20 mpg city, 28 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Small Trucks

2008 Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD
21 mpg city, 26 mpg hwy

2008 Mazda B2300 2WD
21 mpg city, 26 mpg hwy

2008 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
19 mpg city, 25 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Full Size Trucks

2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD
16 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 Mitsubishi Raider Pickup 2WD
16 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 Mitsubishi Raider Pickup 2WD
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 Chevrolet Silverado
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 GMC C15 Sierra 2WD
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 Honda Ridgeline 4WD
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy SUV’s

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
34 mpg city, 30 mpg hwy

2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD
34 mpg city, 30 mpg hwy

2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD
34 mpg city, 30 mpg hwy

2008 Jeep Compass 2WD
23 mpg city, 28 mpg hwy

2008 Jeep Patriot 2WD
23 mpg city, 28 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Minivans

2008 Dodge Caravan
17 mpg city, 24 mpg hwy

Best Fuel Economy Cargo Vans

2008 Chevrolet Van 1500/2500 2WD
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

2008 GMC Savana 1500/2500 2WD
15 mpg city, 20 mpg hwy

Tags: best cars, Fuel Economy, save, tips