Everyone knows that Hummers get really crappy gas mileage. But can a brand new, gas sipping economy car in perfect running condition get worse gas mileage? You bet!
What’s the worst gas mileage you can get in a car? 0 mpg! (thats a zero mpg) People always complain about the price of gas. But then I see people wasting it, getting 0 mpg!
Last week, I was in the parking lot at my work. I saw a guy sitting in his big parked SUV talking on his cell phone. Just sitting yacking away, while the engine was running. It was warm out. Maybe he had the AC running too. So he was moving a 0 MPH and burning gas. So he was getting 0 MPG!
Yesterday I was at a gas station. I went to pull into a pump. There was a truck parked in such a way as not to be at the pump, but to block anyone else to getting to it. I ended up having to go around and come in from the other side to a different gas pump. As I was filling up, I saw the truck was running. They left the truck running while one guy went into the store, and the other guy was cleaning the windshield. So for the time that took, they were getting 0 mpg!
There are lots of places where I see people getting 0 mpg! In line at the gas station waiting for an open pump. Sitting in line at restaurant drive through. Long stop lights. Waiting a train crossings. In all these places, the drivers could save gas, by simply shutting off their engine. I have read that if the engine is off for more than 10 seconds, then you have offset the cost of restarting the engine again.
But then there are the little things too. How about when you start the car, then put on your seat belt, adjust the radio etc. How about putting on your seat belt, adjusting the radio, then starting the car when you are actually ready to go. Just one time doesn’t use a lot of gas. But when you are in the habit of doing it day after day, probably multiple times, it adds up.
Even a gas sipping economy car can get 0 mpg! So next time you are sitting in your car, not moving, but with the engine running, think about how you are getting 0 mpg. Consider shutting off the engine until you are ready to go.