Quiz: Fuel Saving Without Gimmicks

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
Quiz: Fuel Saving Without Gimmicks
Image: David Lees/Taxi/Getty Images

About This Quiz

With gas prices going up, it seems that everyone has advice on how to save at the pump. Whether we're talking fuel-saving driving techniques or technologies, there are as many myths out there as there is sound advice on saving on gas.
True or false: "Hypermiling" is a fuel-saving driving method that involves driving at high speeds to travel as many miles as possible on a gallon of gas.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hypermilers use techniques like coasting down hills and turning off the car at long stop lights to maximize fuel efficiency. Some hypermiling techniques, like riding close to trucks to reduce drag, are dangerous, so proceed with caution.

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Which of these driving techniques will NOT help increase your car's gas mileage?
coasting down hills
accelerating quickly
braking slowly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quick acceleration requires a fuel boost. To save gas, accelerate and brake smoothly.

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True or false: Smaller cars get better gas mileage than larger ones.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fuel economy is more about the engine and about weight than it is about size. A large, roomy car that weighs less than a small car, or has a hybrid or electric engine, will use less fuel than some smaller cars.

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How much does a typical vegetable oil conversion kit for a diesel engine cost?
$300 to $800
$800 to $1,200
$1,200 to $1,700
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A veggie conversion kit allows diesel car owners to run their vehicles on the same vegetable oil that restaurants use to cook french fries. Kits vary in price and can start as low as $300, and they usually range up to $800.

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There are a lot of fuel-saving myths out there. Which of these tips actually works?
Clean out your car.
Change your air filter.
Purchase your gas early in the morning.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clean that junk out of the trunk! For every 100 pounds (45.4 kilograms) of weight in your car, you decrease fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 percent.

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True or false: Running the air conditioning reduces your car's fuel economy. You should always opt for windows instead.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For city driving, rolling down the windows instead of cranking the air improves your mileage, but once you're driving more than 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) per hour, the increased drag cancels out any fuel savings. When you're on the highway, roll those windows up and use the AC instead.

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Some fuel-saving techniques are downright unsafe. Which of these will save you fuel but also put your safety at risk?
switching off the air conditioner in the summer
using the lowest-grade gasoline for your vehicle
overinflating your tires
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While overinflated tires do increase mileage slightly, the reduced friction between the tires and the road makes your car trickier to handle and brake.

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Which of these products can help you save on fuel?
premium gasoline
a bicycle
a vapor injector
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you can, ride your bike on errands or to work. Riding even just a couple of days a week can greatly reduce your fuel usage.

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True or false: Warming up your car on cold days by letting it idle in the driveway while you get ready will help you save fuel.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Letting your car idle will only waste gas. In fact, today's cars warm up faster once you get on the road than they would just idling in the driveway.

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How much can you save a year by trading in a car that gets 20 miles to the gallon for one that gets 30 miles to the gallon?
$500
$945
$3,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, based on gas prices running around $3.78 per gallon, drivers switching to more efficient cars can save around $945.

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You Got:
/10
David Lees/Taxi/Getty Images