6 Gas-Saving Tips
Posted
Friday, May 09, 2008 6:19 PM
With gas prices at all-time highs this isn’t just an eco issue—it’s an economic one! Sure, public transport, walking or riding a bike are all great alternatives, but they’re obviously not always possible. And hybrid cars are in most cases still more expensive than regular ones—though I think with tax incentives and all the $ you can save on gas they can work out to be a good deal, right? When it comes time to replace my six-year-old VW Jetta, I’ll definitely go hybrid, but for now I’m looking for simpler ways to save gas. Here are some pretty painless ways to get more mileage out of that tank of gas you just shelled out $50+ for (the Environmental Defense Fund estimates that moves like these can save you between $200-$500 each year):
Slow down. Fuel economy goes down by 5 to 10 % for every 5 mph above 60 you drive.
Don’t idle. It’s a myth that your car needs to “warm up,” and letting it idle wastes gas and causes polluting emissions. If you need to wait more than 10 seconds, turn off the ignition (unless you’re actually in traffic, obviously).
Keep tabs on your tire pressure. Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by 3% or more a year, because your car has less drag to overcome when its wheels are full of air. (Though I have never actually done this, I remind my husband to. Yes, I need to find a secret passageway out of the 1950’s)
Go easy on the AC. Using your car’s cooling system burns through fuel, so it’s usually a better idea to open up windows to cool down. However, if you’re moving along at 45 mph or faster then open windows will create drag on your car that cuts down on fuel economy even more than the AC would. Another tip: If you are doing the open window thing, crack all four windows so the air will move through the car more easily and create less drag.
Don’t put pedal to the metal. Try to cruise as much as possible—it wastes gas to speed up and then lay on the brake at a red light or when traffic slows.
Avoid left turns. Have you heard this thing about how UPS started designing routes for their drivers that include as many right turns as possible? They found that waiting for left turns was causing their trucks to waste time and gas. So, when you can, try to plot your errands in a clockwise route so you won’t have to linger at lefties.
Are you working on cutting back on gas? Have you tried any of these tips, or any others that allow you to go to the pump less often?