We have been focusing largely on driving behavior and technology when giving our Tuesday fuel saving tips at HybridMile. While a hybrid car or a truck with a continuously variable transmission may cut your gas usage, you may be losing mileage as rainwater and debris collects on your hood. You can make up some of this gas mileage by washing and waxing your car regularly.
This tip may not seem as important as oil changes and using cruise control but it has been proven to cut down on gas mileage. Engineer Tom Wagner Jr. has found that a simple car wash and wax at a local gas station can increase fuel economy by 7% over a long trip. Wagner Jr. drove a decade-old Dodge Ram over 1,600 miles in a single trip, saving plenty of money in the process. While Wagner’s example is anecdotal, it is plausible for a clean car without debris to require less fuel than its dirty counterpart.
The claims made by Tom Wagner Jr. have been repeated frequently throughout the Internet though major publications have not yet taken up this test. About.com, Daily Fuel Economy Tip and other informational websites have encouraged drivers to get their cars cleaned to fight high gas prices. This tip may seem unsubstantiated but it is no sillier than removing boxes from your car or changing your hub caps to reduce drag. Every automaker measures the angles and shapes of each vehicle within millimeters to provide the best aerodynamics possible. Each step you take to keep your car as close to the factory standard as possible keeps money in your pocket.
The fuel saved by cleaning off thin layers of dust can be offset with the environmental damage caused by cleaning agents. You can save money and reduce your footprint by using eco-friendly car soaps like Simple Clean’s Green Car Wash Cleaner. This soap is biodegradable as well as powerful in stark contrast to the soaps used at local car washes. This product is packaged in a fully recyclable bottle to top off your excursion into green car washing. By using your own green soap, you can conserve water, recycle the bottle and save gas spent idling in the car wash.
Now this is one thing I would have never thought of to increase gas mileage. I am game to try anything though. Thank for sharing this tip!
This is the first time I have ever heard of this and, though it seems incredible, maybe I will try it and see. It couldn’t hurt!
I don’t know about this! I think the car has to be extremely dirty to use more fuel! I mean I don’t wash my car ever, but the rain takes care of it.
You might be right, berlinlife, but it wouldn’t hurt to at least try it. But I’m like you…I let the rain take care of my car washing duties, lol.
Wow, I’ve never heard them actually say that before. I guess it makes sense, but never seen it said!
Well what’s that they say? Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t? I avoid washing my car in order to save on water so now I find I’m wasting GAS? We’ll at least I’ll have an excuse to wash my car again.
this is very interesting news. I never thought cleaning good do so much good and it is surely what I am going to ask my husand to do when he is watching tv on asunday…Clean your car and increase the mileage!
Aerodynamics, as on race cars, only start working at high speeds (say above 100 pmh). So I’m sure that saving 7% in fuel when your car is clean, also only works at really high speeds ( at least over 70 mph). So especially in city driving, driving a clean car over a dirty car won’t make any difference. Saving energy is important, but let’s get real!
Rain doesn’t take care of the problem. If you live in a major city rain can make your car even dirtier and can etch itself into the paint if the sun bakes it on. Maintaining your car’s paint is not just for looks but for the longevity of the paint and its ability to protect the sheet metal. Wash, dry, and wax regularly, even in the winter, especially the undercarriage.
“increase fuel economy by 7%” WAKE UP YOUR DREAMING. The drag created by a few bugs and some dust is not going to even be measurable. There are one million better ways to improve your gas mileage. The gas it take to drive to a “simple car wash and wax at a local gas station” WILL NEVER BE RECOVERED.