Best and Worst Fuel Economy. Find the most and least efficient 2002 model year cars and trucks.
MOST FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Gas-saving tires roll up in popularity
The rubber is meeting the road in automakers' quest for a quick gas mileage boost.
Automakers have developed a budding affection for "low-rolling-resistance" tires to squeeze a few extra miles per gallon from every model.
"They are putting much more emphasis on fuel economy than ever before" when it comes to picking tires, says Mike Martini, president of the Bridgestone division that supplies automakers.
Gas-saving tires have rolled out in the past, but attracted limited interest in an era of low-cost fuel. They are made with specially formulated compounds and tread designs that cut road friction. But sometimes, there was a trade-off: less road grip or durability.
full article
Automakers have developed a budding affection for "low-rolling-resistance" tires to squeeze a few extra miles per gallon from every model.
"They are putting much more emphasis on fuel economy than ever before" when it comes to picking tires, says Mike Martini, president of the Bridgestone division that supplies automakers.
Gas-saving tires have rolled out in the past, but attracted limited interest in an era of low-cost fuel. They are made with specially formulated compounds and tread designs that cut road friction. But sometimes, there was a trade-off: less road grip or durability.
full article
Sunday 25 May 2008
The prices at the pumps are accelerating, but you can slam the brakes on fuel use
With the cost of petrol now exceeding £5 per gallon, the wallets of some drivers might be running on empty.
But there are a number of steps that any driver can take to cut their costs.
Simple changes to your routine can make a big difference. For example, according to the Money Savings Handbook, a guide published by the consumer organisation Which?, just driving at 50mph instead of 70mph could skim as much as 30 per cent off your fuel bills.
Other tricks of the trade include not using a roof rack and checking your tyre pressure. According to estimates, a roof rack or box can add up to 30 per cent to your fuel bills because of the obstruction it causes to the car's aerodynamic flow, while under-inflated tyres can add another 8 per cent as they cause more resistance, forcing the engine to work harder.
The same principle applies to cluttered boots, in that fuel use will go up as the engine labours to transport heavy loads.
Even switching off the air conditioning can cut costs by as much as 10 per cent if you normally have it on all the time, and a further 25 per cent can be saved by simply changing up and down the gears at the correct times.
full article
But there are a number of steps that any driver can take to cut their costs.
Simple changes to your routine can make a big difference. For example, according to the Money Savings Handbook, a guide published by the consumer organisation Which?, just driving at 50mph instead of 70mph could skim as much as 30 per cent off your fuel bills.
Other tricks of the trade include not using a roof rack and checking your tyre pressure. According to estimates, a roof rack or box can add up to 30 per cent to your fuel bills because of the obstruction it causes to the car's aerodynamic flow, while under-inflated tyres can add another 8 per cent as they cause more resistance, forcing the engine to work harder.
The same principle applies to cluttered boots, in that fuel use will go up as the engine labours to transport heavy loads.
Even switching off the air conditioning can cut costs by as much as 10 per cent if you normally have it on all the time, and a further 25 per cent can be saved by simply changing up and down the gears at the correct times.
full article
Tips to help your family cope with inflation
Tips to help your family cope with inflation
Inflation is rising at its fastest level in six years, so follow our advice to beat the great squeeze. By Niki Chesworth
Family finances are being squeezed from all sides as inflation is rising at its fastest level in six years, according to official figures.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by 4.2 per cent over the last year but there have been even bigger hikes in electricity and food prices – up by 8 per cent and 7 per cent respectively – and petrol prices which are 19 per cent higher.
1. HOUSING
The credit crunch has hit the mortgage market but there are a few green shoots. The Nationwide, for example, trimmed fixed rate mortgages by as much as 0.3 per cent last week in response to the Bank of England's £50bn cash injection to the banking system. Abbey, meanwhile, reduced its flexible and tracker rates by 0.05 per cent last week in addition to cutting some of its fixed rates by up to 0.17 per cent. As the mortgage is likely to be the biggest family bill, switching to get a better rate should be a priority.
Inflation-buster : Anyone on a variable rate mortgage has probably not benefited from the 0.75 per cent cut in Bank of England base rates since November, as lenders are not passing on rate reductions in full. Switch a 25-year £150,000 repayment loan from 6.5 per cent to 5.84 per cent and save around £732 a year. If money is really tight switch to interest-only on a temporary basis – saving a further £2,000 a year.
2. ENERGY
Further price rises are to come after British Gas warned this week of sharp increases in wholesale fuel prices. Some analysts forecast the average energy bill could rise by as much as 46 per cent this year hitting £1,327.
Inflation-busters: Some 4m households have never switched utility company from the original local monopoly supplier – even though the average family of four could save around £200 a year. Of the eight in 10 that have switched, many could benefit from changing again. Pay by direct debt, manage the account online and opt for duel-fuel for the biggest savings. Visit www.energywatch.org.uk or www.uswitch.com. Increase energy savings by a further £250 a year by following the tips at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
full article
Inflation is rising at its fastest level in six years, so follow our advice to beat the great squeeze. By Niki Chesworth
Family finances are being squeezed from all sides as inflation is rising at its fastest level in six years, according to official figures.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by 4.2 per cent over the last year but there have been even bigger hikes in electricity and food prices – up by 8 per cent and 7 per cent respectively – and petrol prices which are 19 per cent higher.
1. HOUSING
The credit crunch has hit the mortgage market but there are a few green shoots. The Nationwide, for example, trimmed fixed rate mortgages by as much as 0.3 per cent last week in response to the Bank of England's £50bn cash injection to the banking system. Abbey, meanwhile, reduced its flexible and tracker rates by 0.05 per cent last week in addition to cutting some of its fixed rates by up to 0.17 per cent. As the mortgage is likely to be the biggest family bill, switching to get a better rate should be a priority.
Inflation-buster : Anyone on a variable rate mortgage has probably not benefited from the 0.75 per cent cut in Bank of England base rates since November, as lenders are not passing on rate reductions in full. Switch a 25-year £150,000 repayment loan from 6.5 per cent to 5.84 per cent and save around £732 a year. If money is really tight switch to interest-only on a temporary basis – saving a further £2,000 a year.
2. ENERGY
Further price rises are to come after British Gas warned this week of sharp increases in wholesale fuel prices. Some analysts forecast the average energy bill could rise by as much as 46 per cent this year hitting £1,327.
Inflation-busters: Some 4m households have never switched utility company from the original local monopoly supplier – even though the average family of four could save around £200 a year. Of the eight in 10 that have switched, many could benefit from changing again. Pay by direct debt, manage the account online and opt for duel-fuel for the biggest savings. Visit www.energywatch.org.uk or www.uswitch.com. Increase energy savings by a further £250 a year by following the tips at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
full article
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