1MYLIVE HOTSPOT

Not everything you’ve heard about getting the most out of a gallon of gas is true.

There are plenty of legitimate ways to stretch your mileage, but beware of urban myths that can leave you stranded a long way from the nearest gas station.

First, let’s look at what works.

Slow down
Keep tires properly inflated for your trips, the weather, and the load you are carrying
Avoid quick acceleration
Don’t pile luggage on a roof rack
Use a properly fitted gas cap

Ideas that don’t actually work

Fill up in the morning to get more dense fuel before the heat of the day makes it expand. Gas is stored in insulated tanks now, so time of day has no effect.

Change your air filter –Keep it clean, but so long as it is not completely blocked, it makes little difference. Just remember,the dirtier the air filter, the more the carbon monoxide emissions, so by all means save money, but try to stay green.

Turn off your car’s a/c
Anyone who had a car with air conditioning before 1980 or so can tell you about the load the cooling device would place on the engine, especially in a small car.

It was also was thought that driving with the windows down would generate drag that would also cut into mileage. With the new cars o the market now, either of these strategies would result, at best, in tiny mileage savings.

Buy fuel additives and mileage boosting-devices
Again, a fool and his money are soon parted—it is just a question of at the pump, or the latest telemarketing scheme.

So there you have it, a whole load of urban myths debunked.

But before we go, let’s look at that roof rack one again. Anything which reduces air drag on your car will boost your mileage. So how can we do it?