gas mileage

What Does It Take to Make a Used Car Feel New Again?

by

It’s been said that for every new car sold each year in the United States, three used cars change hands. That’s a whopping number of cars – well into the tens of millions. As the vehicles move through the sales process, they’re refurbished to varying degrees. One of our goals here at MPGomatic is to create opportunities to make those used cars more fuel-efficient in the resale process. That’s why we’re so keen on our Honda Civic MPG project.

Updating a vehicle’s tires, wheels, and suspension can improve handling and increase MPGs, when the right components are chosen. A great set of low-rolling-resistance tires on lightweight alloys – along with new springs and shocks – bolt on quickly and can bring significant benefits. We’ve set out to answer the question … is it really possible to achieve tighter handling, an improved ride and better gas mileage with just one trip to the garage with strictly mechanical components?

Read more

Honda Civic HX Gas Mileage Project

by

If you’re looking for an inexpensive used car that gets great mileage, it’s tough to beat the Honda Civic. They’re affordable, plentiful, and reliable – as long as you keep up on basic maintenance.

Over the years, the VX, HX, and HF models have been the most fuel-efficient conventionally-powered Civics. As wild as it may sound, the tiny 1984 Civic CRX HF was officially rated at an astounding 67 miles per gallon highway. Now some folks might not believe this today, but there are tests to prove it.

Read more

How to Pay Less Per Gallon of Gas

by

If you’re keen on slashing the amount of money you spend on gasoline every week, a three-pronged approach will deliver optimum results. You’ll want to 1) maximize your efficiency behind the wheel, 2) minimize the number of miles you travel, and 3) pay the least amount (net) per gallon.

The bulk of our time here at MPGomatic is spent focusing on driving efficiency. For the sake of testing consistency, we try to stick with the same gas station, whenever possible. As such, shopping for price isn’t part of our standard modus operandi. So to get the word on getting the best prices, we called in a pro, Andrew Schrage, the co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance to learn the tactics he uses to get the best prices.

Read more

2012 Ford Interceptor Burns More Rubber, Less Gasoline

by

Over its twenty year run, Ford’s Crown Victoria-based Interceptor became the most popular law enforcement vehicle on American streets. The rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame sedan is the benchmark to which every other police cruiser is compared.

The 2012 Ford Interceptor represents a dramatic departure from what was the norm. Common sense says that big American police cars have big V8 engines, with less than stellar mileage, as a result. But not anymore. The 2012 Interceptor has changed the game.

Read more

Gas Mileage Testing Service for Honda Civic Hybrids and Other Vehicles

by

With all the controversy surrounding the recent Honda Civic Hybrid lawsuit reportedly won by Heather Peters, one thing remains clear: the need for an independent gas mileage testing service. While this landmark case may change the game for Class-Action and Small Claims Court, there is a pressing need for third-party verification.

Before a suit is filed, a Honda Civic Hybrid owner should know whether there is an actual fault in their vehicle or if the deficient fuel-efficiency is caused by driving habits. In order to do this, the vehicle should be run through a specific, regimented test routine that includes:

  • City gas mileage testing
  • Highway gas mileage testing
  • Mechanical system checks
  • Onboard computer system scan

Read more