Questions about gas/fuel and car

kdog3683

United States916 Posts

April 20 2010 21:33 GMT

Questions about car:

While the car is running, does putting it into "parking" vs "Driving" save gas?
After the engine is started, does turning on heater use gas? (I know AC uses gas, but can't heat just come naturally from the engine?)
If I'm stuck in traffic for periods of 5-10 min, should I let the car idle, or turn the engine off, and restart engine once traffic flow resumes?
When the car is flashing the "out of gas sign", how much longer can it run for before dying?
On average, a fuel efficient car runs how many miles per gallon?
If I'm scheduled for a oil change @ 100,000 miles, what kind of damage will be done to my car if I don't get that oil change until 100500 miles?

leejas

United States440 Posts

April 20 2010 21:39 GMT

No, an idling engine uses more gas than an active one. (So don't put it in park when you're not moving).
Heater and AC both use gas.
Depends on the traffic. If you're not moving at all (stuck at a raised bridge) for more than 10minutes, turn it off. Otherwise just stay idling.
Cars usually have about 1-2 gallons left, but I'd lean more towards 1 gallon left.
Fuel efficient cars are often 30-40mpg, not counting hybrids or other special Green cars.
Won't do that much damage. Usually those mileage estimates are just estimates, but if you run it over that mark too long, you're looking at some serious damage.

Mastermind

Canada7096 Posts

April 20 2010 21:43 GMT

The "heater" just runs air through your engine so it shouldnt use more gas. (guess I am wrong here according to above post)
If you are stuck in traffic that long it is worth it to turn off your car.
Every car is different for how close to empty it really is when the car tells you it is empty.
An extra 500 miles before your oil change is not a big deal at all.

nasze_zrodlo

Cape Verde111 Posts

April 20 2010 21:49 GMT

1. It depends...
2. It depends...
3. Imo Diesel - let the car idle. Benzin - turn off.
4. It depends on what kind of car do u have(e.g. VW Passat ~100 kilometers.). Check car's manual.
5. It depends...
6. No damage at all. ;p

jhNz

Germany2762 Posts

April 20 2010 21:51 GMT

the first damage that comes to my mind for not changing the oil is piston seizure. but 500 miles wont affect your car at all.

i don't know what kind of car you're driving, but if my "out of gas sign" is flashing, i can drive for maybe another 10-15 kilometers. enough to get to the next gas station. the light for being on reserve comes a bit earlier though... at ~60km left i think.

Ingenol

United States1328 Posts

April 20 2010 23:01 GMT

I'd like to chime in and say that on modern cars running the A/C has a very small effect on fuel efficiency, and less of a negative impact on it than driving with the windows down (which increases drag), so blast the air!

micronesia

United States24770 Posts

April 20 2010 23:07 GMT

I think there was a discussion a few months ago where someone said it's a myth that turning off your car for short periods of time is more wasteful than just letting it idle as long as you have more than 10-15 seconds to wait... but you also don't want to be caught with the traffic moving and you first have to turn on your car so don't rush to turn it off I guess...

condoriano

United States826 Posts

April 20 2010 23:15 GMT

I drove an old S10 truck for weeks without any oil in it. Nothing happened but i wouldn't recommend it.

kdog3683

United States916 Posts

April 25 2010 01:08 GMT

No, an idling engine uses more gas than an active one. (So don't put it in park when you're not moving).

Can somebody explain this?

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