I wrote this in 2008 - the prices now are different - the savings are still there.- Auto fuel prices are killing our economy. I live in Western New York and gas prices are anywheres from $4.129 to over $4.329 per gallon. Diesel is somewheres around $5.25 -$5.55 a gallon.For the last 8 years or so, I’ve been driving to various events across the country selling photo shirts and other stuff. The last two years have been hell trying to break even on my trips. As a result, I quit going more than a tank away from home (my Chevy Express van now costs me a little better than $100 for a fill up).So, what to do? Believe it or not, what’s been said over the years about ways to get better mileage still works today. I pay close attention to the following money/gas saving …. others call them “tips” which is a weak enough word when gas was less than $3.00 a gallon … I call them mandates. If you want more money in your pocket, you HAVE to stop wasting it in your gas tank.
- Check your tire pressure. Low pressure increases rolling resistance.
- Make sure your air filter is clean. Choking the air supply cuts power and wastes gas.
- Get the excess weight out of your vehicle. The more you haul around the more fuel it takes to move it.
- No jack-rabbit starts. Quick starts dumps raw fuel through your engine and out your exhaust.
- Anticipate stops and coast to them. Use brakes when needed.
- Don’t idle your car for more than a minute. If you’re not moving, your mpg is zero. The reason you have your engine running is to move you from one place to another.
- Shop local. If an item costs a dollar more locally but you have to drive 10 miles to save that dollar, you are losing a dollar in extra gas and 30 minutes of your life driving time. What can you do with the extra money and time???
- Combine trips. I COULD drive the 4 miles to town for breakfast, then go back later to do some banking, go back again & pick up a sub for lunch, go back again to mail a package - 4 trips x 8 miles = 32 miles … Short trips - not as good mileage as long trips … figure 24 mpg for my Stratus = $5.65 vs. $1.43 for one trip. That’s pretty near $2100 a year at 5 days a week. I don’t think this is an extreme example, especially for suburban drivers. What can you do with the extra money???
- Drive to work? Kill your ego. You don’t HAVE to drive alone. You driving yourself to work really fattens up the oil barons, they love it. Car pool with 4 others and your fuel bill goes down by 80% a week, your parking fees go down by 80% a week, your tolls go down by 80% a week. What can you do with the extra money???
- Here the biggie - drive slower. Plan your drive. In town driving, you pretty much follow but not exceed the speed limit. On roads that have a 55 mph, drive 45 mpg. That is probably the most efficient speed for most vehicles today. The faster you go, the more air you have to push out of your way. The more air you have to push, the more fuel you use to get the needed power. At speed limits of 60+, drive 55. Those idiots passing you at 70 are paying for it. You are saving.
That’s all there is to it.
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