Don’t be a tortoise. It’s obviously inefficient to make a “jackrabbit” start from a full stop. But because fuel economy is poorer in lower gears, “nursing your speed up to the limit too slowly also lowers mpg.” Be moderately bold: Taking 15 seconds to reach 50 mph uses less fuel than taking 30.
Don’t coast in neutral. Many fuel-conscious drivers choose to coast down hills in neutral. “This is a bad idea.” Not only is the tactic dangerous, it often wastes fuel. A fuel-injected engine consumes no gas at all when the vehicle is in gear, the accelerator is released, and the tires are rolling. If the engine is in neutral, it’s costing about two cents a minute.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
US, China agree to lower tariffs for 90 daysspeed read US tariffs will fall to 30% from 145%, while China will cut its tax on US imports to 10% from 125%
-
Qatar luxury jet gift clouds Trump trip to Mideastspeed read Qatar is said to be presenting Trump with a $400 million plane, which would be among the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the US government
-
Does ketchup belong on a hot dog and more May 12 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's cartoons feature Pope Leo XIV, Newark airport, and Donald Trump's meme coin
