Busted: 7 Things That Won’t Improve Your Gas Mileage

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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Here at GreenCarReports, we often remind you what you can do to improve the gas mileage of your car with articles devoted to tire maintenance, good driving practice and following service schedules.

According to Consumer Reports however, there are just as many things that are rumored to improve your gas mileage that just don’t work on today’s modern cars.

Some, it has proven, including preferring air conditioning over open windows and choosing tires with low rolling resistance, don’t affect your gas mileage as much as you’d think.

Here are just seven of the mpg myths busted by the folks over at Consumer Reports. Read them, and let us know what you think. 

Cheap Gas Stations Give Cheap Gas

For years, there’s been a common belief among drivers that gas purchased at independent gas stations isn’t the same quality as gas purchased from name-brand gas stations.  

We’ve even heard rumors in the past that say some gas stations dilute cheap gas with small amounts of water, affecting power and engine efficiency.

Both, Consumer Reports says, are not true. 

In reality, all gas stations are tied by tight laws governing the storage and pumping of gasoline, while independent and no-name gas stations usually buy gasoline from the well-known oil companies anyway. 

The only difference? Cheaper gasoline sometimes omits the additives designed to clean older engines. With today’s modern fuel-injection systems however, that shouldn’t make much difference. 

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Premium gives better gas mileage

Because premium gas has a higher octane rating than midgrade or regular gas, it produces a little more power when burnt.

Designed for performance cars with large, powerful engines, premium also helps minimize the risk of preignition inside highly-stressed, hot engine cylinders. 

On a track, the extra boost given by premium can mean a few tenths of a second difference on a lap time. 

In the real world, it barely affects performance, or fuel economy. 

Consumer Reports advises that premium should only really be used in your car if your owner’s manual mandates it. In our experience, only a handful of everyday cars are tuned to run better on premium. 

Open windows kill fuel economy

Windows or Air Conditioning? 

It’s a common misconception that winding down windows on your car to provide ventilation creates so much extra drag that your gas mileage falls further than it would if you use the on-board air conditioning. 

Not so, says Consumer Reports. Under lab conditions, it tested a Honda Accord along a test track at 65 mph.  Using the air conditioning to keep the car cool impacted gas mileage by a shocking 3mpg. 

Keeping the windows open on the other hand, affected gas mileage so little that it was impossible to measure. 

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Low rolling resistance tires are always best

While tires specially designed to lower rolling resistance can save you a few mpg if properly inflated and maintained, Consumer Reports advises that better tire maintenance and driver habits can easily make up the difference between an energy saving tire and a regular tire. 

As it points out, lower rolling resistance tires often perform less well in wet and icy conditions than regular tires, raising your risk of accidents. 

The solution, it says, is to look for a good all-round tire that combines good economy, good tire life and good grip.