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Lately it has been outlined in the press that although the price of crude oil has dropped 15% in the past three weeks, the average price at the pump has gone down much more slowly. Over the same time period, the average price at the pump for a gallon of regular gas has only gone down 3%.
According to leading experts, motorists are getting hosed, because the dealers at the pump wait several days before they pass on the savings to their customers, effectively padding their bottom line. So even with the slight relief, gas-saving awareness remains very high. Not to mention that high gas prices have also forced us to look for cleaner alternatives to oil.
If we decrease our oil consumption in favor of cleaner technologies, we not only decrease our personal energy bill and our nations dependence on foreign oil, but we also contribute to helping the environment, which is a win-win situation.
While we would all love to drive a hybrid, its not feasible for all of us right now (and the waiting lists on those babies are just increasing by the day). With that in mind, lets see what we can do to get the most out of our current cars. Here are a few of the suggestions Ive found online to make our gas take us farther. Some of them are obvious, others I find to be doubtful
*Combine trips. Cut down on the short trips. Those are the most inefficient ones: your cars engine is not warm yet and thus doesnt run as efficiently as it could. So its a good thing to visit as many places as possible in one trip, as youll get a better mileage. Plus fewer trips means less gas.
*Make sure that you tires are properly inflated. Your cars owners manual has specific information on proper pressure for your tires. When your tires arent properly inflated, they dont give your car the traction that its supposed to have, and that decreases your mileage.
*Change your air filter regularly. As you can certainly imagine, clogged air filters reduce the efficiency of your engine and/or air conditioner because theyre not working in optimal conditions. As a result, your gas mileage suffers and your transportation budget increases (by as much as 10%)
Pay attention to your gas gauge. If you seem to go through a tank of gas too quickly compared to the usual, maybe its time for an oil change or a tune-up.
*Check out sites such as www.gasbuddy.com and www.gaspricewatch.com to learn about cheap gas deals in your area. Local news stations also feature cheap gas resources, or other sites with similar information. Odds are, youll find a website that goes something like www.[yourstate]gasprices.com to give you some local information.
*Avoid excessive accelerating, braking and idling. Experts agree that gas mileage is significantly decreased as speeds increase. Save gas and money by driving the speed limit and never any faster than 60 miles per hour. Also, engine technology has come a long way and it doesnt require that much gas to start an engine; so rather than let your car sit running for several minutes, turn it off, youll use less gas.
*Map out your trip before you hit the road. Consult Mapquest, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps to help you find the shortest, most direct way to get to your destination.
*If youre planning to buy a new car, check out Consumer Reports or www.fuelecomony.gov for information on cars with the best and worst mileage before you make that purchase.
*Monitor air conditioning usage. At speeds lower than 40 miles per hour, it can be more fuel efficient to roll down your windows. Personally, Im on the fence on this one.
*Empty your trunk. Gone are the days where it was advisable to have extra weight in your trunk to stabilize your car. Nowadays all it does is weigh down your car... and your wallet.
*Learn about hypermiling. Its the science (art?) of driving in a way that absolutely maximizes the mileage you get out of your car. There are plenty of news reports online on the practice and its benefits.
Consider carpooling. Many people hate carpooling because it limits your flexibility and privacy. Still, it can be a great option. Car pooling can save hundreds of dollars annually and is kind to the environment, thanks to reduced emissions. Whats not to love?
Americans literally have love affairs with their cars but high gas prices have turned it into a bit of a love-hate relationship lately. Spending less on gas and helping the environment might just put some spice back into said relationship.
Late it has been defined in the press that although the price of crude oil has dropped 15% in the past three weeks, the medium price at the pump has gone down much more slowly. Over the same time period, the average price at the pump for a gallon of regular gas has only gone down 3%.
According to leading experts, motorists are acquiring hosed, because the dealers at the pump wait several days before they pass on the nest egg to their customers, effectively padding their bottom line. So even with the thin relief, gas-saving awareness remains very high. Not to mention that high gas prices have also forced us to look for cleaner alternatives to oil.
If we fall our oil intake in favor of cleansing agent technologies, we not only decrease our personal energy bill and our nations addiction on alien oil, but we also put up to helping the environment, which is a win-win situation.
While we would all love to drive a hybrid, its not feasible for all of us right now (and the ready and waiting lists on those babies are just increasing by the day). With that in mind, lets see what we can do to get the most out of our current cars. Here are a few of the suggestions Ive found online to make our gas take us farther. Some of them are obvious, others I find to be doubtful
*Combine trips. Cut down on the short trips. Those are the most ineffective ones: your cars engine is not warm yet and thus doesnt run as expeditiously as it could. So its a good thing to visit as many places as possible in one trip, as youll get a best mileage. Plus fewer trips means less gas.
*Make sure that you tires are properly inflated. Your cars owners manual has specific information on proper blackmail for your tires. When your tires arent properly inflated, they dont give your car the traction that its supposed to have, and that decreases your mileage.
*Change your air filter regularly. As you can certainly imagine, clogged air filters reduce the efficiency of your engine and/or air conditioner because theyre not workings in optimum conditions. As a result, your gas mileage suffers and your transportation budget increases (by as much as 10%)
Pay attention to your gas gauge. If you seem to go through a tank of gas too promptly compared to the usual, maybe its time for an oil change or a tune-up.
*Check out sites such as www.gasbuddy.com and www.gaspricewatch.com to learn about cheap gas deals in your area. Local news stations also feature film cheap gas resources, or other sites with similar information. Odds are, youll find a website that goes something like www.[yourstate]gasprices.com to give you some local information.
*Avoid excessive accelerating, braking and idling. Experts agree that gas mileage is significantly decreased as speeds increase. Save gas and money by impulsive the speed limit and never any faster than 60 miles per hour. Also, railway locomotive technology has come a long way and it doesnt require that much gas to start an engine; so rather than let your car sit run for several minutes, turn it off, youll use less gas.
*Map out your trip before you hit the road. Confabulate Mapquest, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps to help you find the shortest, most organize way to get to your destination.
*If youre planning to buy a new car, check out Consumer Reports or www.fuelecomony.gov for information on cars with the best and worst mileage before you make that purchase.
*Monitor air conditioning usage. At speeds lower than 40 miles per hour, it can be more fuel efficient to roll down your windows. Personally, Im on the fence on this one.
*Empty your trunk. Gone are the days where it was advisable to have extra burden in your trunk to stabilize your car. Nowadays all it does is weigh down your car... and your wallet.
*Learn about hypermiling. Its the science (art?) of driving in a way that absolutely maximizes the mileage you get out of your car. There are plenty of news reports online on the drill and its benefits.
Consider carpooling. Many people hate carpooling because it limits your tractableness and privacy. Still, it can be a great option. Car pooling can save hundreds of dollars annually and is kind to the environment, thanks to decreased emissions. Whats not to love?
Americans literally have love personal matters with their cars but high gas prices have turned it into a bit of a love-hate relationship lately. Disbursement less on gas and helping the environment might just put some spice back into said relationship.
.
About the Author (text)More money-saving tips can be found on my personal finance blog: yourfinishrichplan.com/blog
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