Transcripts

Jack Gillis:
Whatever you think about the speed limit laws, for every ten miles per hour you reduce your highway speeds, you can reduce your fuel consumption by about 15%.

Jack Gillis, Director of Public Affairs for the Consumer Federation of America and author of The Car Book…

So, that's a big difference, or 7.5% if you knock five miles off of your highway speed. So, even if you're violating the law and you're driving regularly at 75 on the highways, knock it down to 70 and you'll knock 7% off your gas cost.

Having extra weight in and on your car makes a big difference in fuel economy.

For every 100 pounds you carry around, you lose 1-2% in fuel efficiency. Adding passengers to your car reduces fuel efficiency. We recommend that if you're carrying around a bag of sand, you're worried about it for getting stuck in the snow in the winter. Make sure you take that bag of sand out in the summer.

And in warm weather, what about using the air conditioner?

For years, I used to say, and we could document, that you could open your windows, and you'd be better off fuel efficiency. Today because of the aerodynamic nature of the vehicles and because of the drag created when you open your windows the scale seems to be tipping the other way. And you'll be better off on the highway driving with your windows closed. And it's probably going to be a function of the age of your car as well.

At somethingyoushouldknow.net I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.