weight v. mpg.

**jtdoyle1** · 04-30-2008, 12:21 PM

I've had this theory and wondering what others opinions are:

I've read that carrying around extra weight in your vehicle can reduce MPG. According to one resource an extra 100lbs can reduce MPG by 2%* So could we all increase fuel efficiency if we always drove on a half tank of gas or less. Gallon of gasoline is approximately 6.13 lbs x 8.25 gallons of gas=51lbs (not to mention when you are more often driving on less than a half tank of gas.)

This would only work if you are not driving out of your way to fill your tank half full more often.

You really wouldn't be saving much ($50 per tank x 1%= $.50 per tank), but what if everyone did it all the time?

*Tips to improve your Gas Mileage

**ISUFan22** · 04-30-2008, 12:23 PM

I simply drive downhill all the time.

**Cy Heavy** · 04-30-2008, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I simply drive downhill all the time.

That's odd, back when I was young I walked uphill to school. Both ways.

**drmwevr08** · 04-30-2008, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I simply drive downhill all the time.

Do you live in Escherville?

**isucyfan** · 04-30-2008, 12:25 PM

But wouldn't we waste more gas making more trips to the gas station??

**cstrunk** · 04-30-2008, 12:27 PM

Who needs a spare tire anyways?

*chucks it in the dumpster*

**keepngoal** · 04-30-2008, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by cstrunk

Who needs a spare tire anyways?

*chucks it in the dumpster*

funny... i was thinking wife and kids....

-keep

**brianhos** · 04-30-2008, 01:14 PM

I should take those bodies out of my trunk. They are starting to stink too.

**frontrangeclone** · 04-30-2008, 01:14 PM

since we're on the topic of fuel efficiency...
according to the fed. trade comission website, having car top accesories such as cargo boxes and ski racks can reduce mileage by 5% as well. Here in CO, seemingly every other car/SUV has a Thule/Yakima box and/or ski racks on top (and often the cargo boxes are slapped with all sorts of "save the earth" themed stickers). Of course a lot of it is the image thing with ski racks, since people have them on their cars in July, but I guess gas prices aren't high enough yet to sacrifice the outdoorsy look (which was a great item in "stuff white people like")...

**htownclone** · 04-30-2008, 01:23 PM

I have read before that using a topper or bed cover on a pickup truck can increase fuel efficiency by 10-12%. Although they are ridiculously expensive, I would think over time you might end up saving money.

**Cy Heavy** · 04-30-2008, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by htownclone

I have read before that using a topper or bed cover on a pickup truck can increase fuel efficiency by 10-12%. Although they are ridiculously expensive, I would think over time you might end up saving money.

If there's nothing in the bed of your truck, drop the tailgate and you achieve the same efficiency.

**brianhos** · 04-30-2008, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cy Heavy

If there's nothing in the bed of your truck, drop the tailgate and you achieve the same efficiency.

Or just stop frickin driving trucks when you do not haul anything!

**alaskaguy** · 04-30-2008, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Or just stop frickin driving trucks when you do not haul anything!

Thats all there is to drive in this area.

**brianhos** · 04-30-2008, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by alaskaguy

Thats all there is to drive in this area.

Yeah but gas is like $97 a gallon in the middle of the ANWR where you live right?

**htownclone** · 04-30-2008, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Cy Heavy

If there's nothing in the bed of your truck, drop the tailgate and you achieve the same efficiency.

I've read that dropping the tailgate also helps, but it is not quite as efficient as a cover. I drive around with 4- 60lb. sandbags in the back of my truck and a spare tire, so dropping it isn't really an option.

for brianhos- My truck is a Tacoma and gets about 28mpg