Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is one of the most valid issues with today's vehicles. With gas prices hovering near 4 dollars a gallon, there are not too many people that do not take this into consideration when buying a used car. There are different factors that come into play for a vehicle to be fuel efficient.

Good Driving Habits

A used car’s label states an estimated mileage, but says "your mileage may vary". The way you drive is a major part of this variable. Driving 65 mph instead of 75 mph will increase your fuel economy by about 10 percent. Flooring the gas pedal and speeding up to a red light is a waste of gas. So, slowing down and easing up will actually make a difference.

Know Your Needs

Another first step to fuel efficiency is to find a used car that meets – but does not exceed – your needs. What will the car be used for? How often will it be driven? Will it be used in a daily commute? On the highway or through the city? If you are honest about’ needs’ and do not buy on a basis of ‘wants’, your miles per gallon may be better in the long run.

Choose a Right-Sized Vehicle

Once again, to accomplish better fuel efficiency you must be honest. Thinking about vehicle size is also important. Used cars come in so many sizes, and size matters. Bigger vehicles weigh more than smaller ones—and vehicle weight is the single biggest determinant for fuel efficiency. A heavier vehicle needs more power, and thus uses more fuel to accelerate.

Nix Gas-Guzzlers

If you have a choice between two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive versions, go for the two-wheel drive. A manual transmission will yield more fuel economy, so this is a good option. Eliminating things such as luggage racks, or ski holders makes a difference too, as they add weight and reduce aerodynamics.

MPG of Specific Models

Once a few options for your used car is set, then take a look at their estimated miles per gallon, which is out out by the EPA. These numbers are likely to be higher than your real-world mileage, but they still give a useful comparison to other used car models you are considering.

Engine Size

Consumers often opt for way overpowered used cars. They might want a quick 0 to 60, but in most cases a smaller engine would do the job, and it would be better. A smaller engine in a used car will result in greater fuel economy, in fact a serious gain. The key figures are the number of cylinders and the amount of engine displacement. A four-cylinder is the best engine you can get in a used car for fuel efficiency.

Low-Resistance Tires

Tires with a lower rolling resistance have a big impact on mpg. The tire offered by the manufacturer is a compromised designed. When buying a used car the dealership may even switch the wheels to tires with lower rolling resistance. Decreasing the resistance by 20 percent could raise mileage by as much as 5 percent. And, of course, proper inflation is essential.

Diesel Option

Modern direct-injection diesels achieve roughly 50 percent higher fuel economy than gasoline engines. These vehicles operate more efficiently than their gasoline counterparts, and a gallon of diesel fuel contains about 10 percent more energy than a gallon of gasoline. These two factors help, and that may be a reason why, in Europe, nearly half of new vehicles are diesel. In America diesel use in used cars is still limited, but it is growing here too, and may be a great option.

The Hybrid Option

Hybrid vehicles is one of the fastest growing types, and there are many more models available now then there were when hybrids first hot the market. A used hybrid is something that can be found throughout the country, and the certainly save a lot of fuel. You will pay more for the hybrid system in a used car; however, you will eventually save not only on fuel, but also the environment.

Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs)

These are designed to run on gasoline or a blend of up to 85% ethanol (E85). Except for a few engine and fuel system modifications, they are identical to gasoline-only models. FFVs have been produced since the 1980s, and dozens of models are currently available as used cars. Since FFVs look just like gasoline-only models, you may have an FFV and not even know it. To determine if your vehicle is an FFV, check the inside of your car's fuel filler door for an identification sticker or consult your owner’s manual. FFVs experience no loss in performance when operating on E85. However, since a gallon of ethanol contains less energy than a gallon of gasoline, FFVs typically get about 20-30% fewer miles per gallon when fueled with E85.

Here are the best used vehicles for fuel economy (determined by their mpg’s).

In the under $10,000 category:

the 2000 Honda Insight (manual, 51 mpg) ; the 2001-02 Toyota Prius (41 mpg); the 2000-05 Toyota Echo (38 mpg); the 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm (32 mpg); and the 1998 Mazda Protegé LX (32 mpg). Here are the best used vehicles in the $10,000-$20,000 price range; the 2004-06 Toyota Prius( 44 mpg); the 2003 Toyota Prius (41 mpg); the 2006-07 Honda Civic Hybrid (37 mpg); the 2003-05 Honda Civic Hybrid (36 mpg); the 2007 Honda Fit Sport (manual, 34 mpg); and the 2007 Toyota Yaris Liftback (base, manual, 34 mpg)

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