As gas prices rise for the summer months, drivers in the Phoenix area will certainly be doing their part to get the most out of every drop of fuel. Part of this process will be separating myth from fiction when it comes to commonly held beliefs about fuel economy, so we’re going to give you a quick cheat sheet to cut out the guesswork. So, from your friends at Avondale Nissan: this is fuel economy fact vs. fiction.
Fuel Economy Fact vs. Fiction
Fiction: Drive a Small Car to Get better Gas Mileage
There was a time when this was unequivocally true, when the only surefire path to getting good gas mileage was to drive a small car with a small engine. Now, with more advanced mechanical options, hybrid powertrains, diesel platforms and more, larger vehicles now offer great fuel economy as well. Want proof? Check out the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder.
Fiction: Premium Fuel Always Results in Better Fuel Economy
Most people see “Premium” and think, “That must mean better gas mileage.” However, unless your car explicitly calls for premium fuel (usually found in the owner’s manual) or has a turbocharged engine, it likely doesn’t require anything more than regular fuel. Check your manual, and if it doesn’t explicitly call for premium, you’ll simply be wasting money by putting it in your tank.
Read More: Driving Habits the Waste Fuel
Fact: Automatic Transmissions have Caught Manuals in Fuel Economy
For decades, manual transmissions were thought to be the more economical transmission, while automatics were a novelty that often would waste fuel between gears. Many drivers still assume that manuals get far better fuel economy than their automatic counterparts, but as automatics have gotten more advanced (and added gears), they’re now pretty much neck and neck. Of course, Xtronic CVTs get even better gas mileage still.
Fact: Old Vehicles Can Get Good Gas Mileage Too
There has long been an assumption that once cars get up in miles, that their gas mileage will drop precipitously. However, now that synthetic fluids, unleaded fuel and engine parts have become more advanced, your car can maintain good fuel economy well into its life, as long as it experiences a proper maintenance schedule.
Fiction: Replacing an Air Filter Helps Fuel Economy
Full disclaimer: this used to be true. Back in the days of the carburetors, before fuel injection, a dirty air filter was spell doom for your fuel economy. Now, since fuel-injected vehicles have onboard computers to monitor airflow, changing an air filter won’t affect fuel economy in any discernable way. However, a clean air filter does help in other ways, including acceleration and the smoothness of your idling.
There are many ways to save money on fuel, but the best way is simply to purchase a car that was crafted with efficiency in mind. To see some of our many fuel-efficient models at Avondale Nissan, pay us a visit today!
