At Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring we know consumers are always looking to make the most of every drop of fuel. While there are plenty of things you can do to help your car be more fuel efficient such as proper tire inflation, accelerating more gradually and removing excess cargo that may be stored on or in your vehicle. There are many myths according to MSN Autos. Take a look at the top 10 called out in their recent article.

• Keeping your tank nearly full prevents evaporation- This myth is based on the assumption that cars release gas vapors resulting in inefficiencies. However, modern fuel systems are designed to prevent this from occurring.
• Shifting to neutral at stops saves fuel- Modern fuel-injection systems sense when unnecessary gas is being injected, so having your car in neutral is unnecessary to save gas.
• Manuals get better MPG- Modern vehicles with automatic transmissions are designed to shift gears at the optimal moment, often providing marginally better gas mileage than a majority of manual drivers.
• Dirty filters = lower mileage- This could remain true for older vehicles that still use a carburetor. However, computerized engine control modules deliver optimal air-to-fuel ratio. It’s still proper vehicle maintenance to keep your air filter clean, though.
• Cooler temp fill ups mean more gas- Fuel is stored in large, insulated containers underground that regulate fluctuations in temperature. So even if it’s cooler outside, the gasoline maintains roughly the same density as if it were warmer.
• Setting cruise to controlling fuel- This particular tip is still up in the air. Many believe that maintaing this constant speed is good for gas mileage, which is quite plausible. However, cruise control on roads of varying elevations can actually have a negative impact on your gas mileage!
• Fuel additives add up to savings- There’s strong evidence that suggests that the savings you obtain from better gas mileage do not offset the costs of products that allegedly increase your gas mileage.
• Age-old question of mileage over the years- Proper preparation prevent poor performance. If you proactively maintain your vehicle over the years, you shouldn’t notice any change in the gas mileage you’re getting.
• Topping off puts MPG over the top- Topping off your vehicle after rthe pump stops could actually damage your vehicle’s emissions system, so this “tip” should definitely be avoided. It can also causes damages or a huge mess to the gas pump, too.
• Tailgate won’t negate aerodynamics- While it may seem counter-intuitive, having your tailgate up provides better gas mileage than having it down. As air flows over and around the truck, it drifts over the cab and provides a pushing force on the back of the truck.

To shop for fuel- efficient vehicles, hybrid or electric cars, trucks or SUVs, shop Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Conroe, Aldine, and greater Houston area). Browse online anytime at www.PlanetFord45.com.

Source: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/top-10-fuel-efficiency-myths