The Biggest⛽ Fuel Economy Lies Every Driver Believes! 👉 What Really Saves Fuel?

TorqueCars • October 19, 2025
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TorqueCars

@torquecars

About

I created TorqueCars in 2003 to pass on tips I gained from modifying and upgrading cars, we are not built for profit but for a love of cars and customization & modification of them. I found many parts did not do what they claimed, or my expectations were far higher than reality would show. So by passing on the things I have learned I help many others avoid making the same mistakes I did when starting out. This is very much community driven, so viewer feedback and suggestions is highly recommended and tips are passed on in future videos. This channel contains Videos from TorqueCars.com to supplement the content, articles, photographs and features we have on the main site. Please visit www.torquecars.com for the latest car tuning and car styling news, features articles and tips. We are a very friendly car tuning and car styling club and welcome members from all over the world and with all types of cars.

Video Description

Do grandads Eco driving tricks still work or have things moved on? Find out what really works and improves your fuel economy. Are you wasting money chasing fuel economy myths that don’t actually work? Drivers across the world try tricks like over inflating tires, filling them with nitrogen, idling to warm up the engine, or only filling up at dawn, but most of these so-called hacks either don’t work or actually cost you more in the long run. In this video, we expose the most common fuel-saving myths, explain where they came from, and show you what actually helps you cut fuel costs in today’s modern cars. Why is this so important? Because fuel prices keep rising and every driver wants to squeeze the most out of every tank. But when you follow outdated tips that used to apply decades ago, or worse, marketing gimmicks pushed by people trying to sell you something, you can end up damaging your car or wasting more fuel than you save. After watching this, you’ll know the truth about which fuel-saving strategies work and which are pure myths. We start with tire pressure myths. Yes, underinflated tires waste fuel — about 2% loss in economy for every 5 psi drop — but overinflating them for “better mileage” just destroys handling, braking safety, and wears out the center tread fast. So instead of chasing a risky trick, why not just run the manufacturer’s recommended pressure or invest in proper energy-efficient tires? What about filling tires with nitrogen? Motorsport teams do it for consistency, but road cars already run on air that’s 78% nitrogen. The small difference makes almost no impact on fuel economy for daily driving. Then there’s the old advice to “drive slower” for better MPG. True to an extent, but not the whole story. Driving at 50–60 mph is often the sweet spot for most engines, but crawling along at 30 mph on highways doesn’t magically save fuel - it just wastes your time. Manufacturers design engines to hit peak efficiency in a certain band, so the myth of “slower is always better” doesn’t hold up. Air conditioning vs. open windows is another debated topic. Yes, AC uses power, but open windows at speed create drag that costs even more fuel. The smart move is to use AC moderately, set it just below ambient temperature, and use recirculation mode when possible. Fuel additives and premium fuels get a lot of attention. Do they boost economy? Most additives only restore lost efficiency by cleaning injectors. Modern fuels already contain detergent packs, especially premium fuels, so unless your injectors are clogged, results will vary. Higher-octane fuels can improve economy and performance, but only if your engine is designed for it - otherwise you’re just paying more per mile. And what about those “old-school” habits like idling to warm up the engine? That’s a waste. Modern engines warm up faster when gently driven, not left running. Likewise, filling up early in the morning doesn’t get you colder, denser fuel - underground storage tanks stay at a constant temperature regardless of time of day. Even the manual vs. automatic debate is outdated. Older autos wasted fuel, but today’s dual-clutch and multi-speed automatics often beat manual drivers for efficiency. Shedding weight helps, but drilling holes in panels or removing sound deadening for “economy gains” is pointless compared to just emptying the junk out of your boot. Finally, the EV myth: “electric cars are always cheaper to run.” True for some, false for others. If you can home-charge on an off-peak tariff, yes, you save. But if you rely on public charging or exceed your cheap-rate hours, costs can rival or exceed petrol or diesel per mile. So what’s the real way to save fuel? Smooth driving, good anticipation, regular servicing, and sticking to the basics. No gimmicks, no myths - just proven science and maintenance. 👉 In this video, we answer the most common fuel-saving questions: Does driving slower really save fuel? Should I overinflate my tires for better economy? Is nitrogen filling worth it? Does AC waste more fuel than open windows? Will premium fuel or additives improve my MPG? Is it cheaper to run an EV than petrol or diesel? Should I idle to warm up my car? Do manuals always beat automatics on fuel economy? Watch until the end because you’ll finally know which tips are wasting your money and which ones will actually help you save at the pump. #FuelEconomy #CarMyths #SaveFuel #FuelSavingTips #MPG #DrivingTips #CarMaintenance https://www.torquecars.com Legal Notice: Unless we have inspected your car we can only provide generic theory. All information is provided without warranty, please check any recommendations made with a mechanic locally to verify it would be legal in your area or region and that it would be suitable for your car and your needs.

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