Best way to boost mileage: Let up on lead foot

by Center for Personal Finance editors

NEW YORK (5/9/06)--Take a deep breath before turning the ignition. It turns out that a laid-back driving style can substantially increase your vehicle's gas mileage (CNNMoney.com May 2).

Recent tests by edmunds.com concluded that using cruise control and avoiding hard acceleration had the biggest impact on fuel economy.

Cruise control helps prevent "speed creep"--the tendency to increase speed the longer you're on the highway. Cruising at a constant speed also cuts down on unnecessary gas-guzzling speed changes. In one test, the Land Rover got almost 14% higher gas mileage when the cruise control was set at 70 mph than it did under driver-controlled speeds between 65 and 75 mph. The Ford Mustang got 4.5% better gas mileage with cruise control.

Rushing up to stop lights and speeding away from them--at current gas prices--is draining your wallet. It wastes gas. The Energy Department (fueleconomy.gov) estimates that aggressive driving lowers gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town. Edmunds.com found that gas consumption dropped 35.4% for the Land Rover and 27.1% for the Ford Mustang simply by accelerating more slowly away from green lights and stopping more gradually at stop signs and lights. Slamming the gas pedal with your right foot shoots more fuel into the engine and keeps the engine running faster.

Anticipate stops. Brake gently, let your car coast longer, and stop slowly. Slow your acceleration time down to 20 seconds when going from zero to 60 mph. It may seem painfully slow at first, but you'll save money on fuel with a more disciplined right foot.

For more information, read "Ten Ways You Burn Money on Your Car" in the Home & Family Finance Resource Center autos section.