Friday, July 13, 2012

Tanks for nothing...

Just do it: Inflated tires create less friction with the road.

AC/EZ: The Mythbusters suggest that cracking your windows to circulate the air and forego the AC altogether while driving under 50mph is more fuel efficient, but driving over 50 mph (on that Highway to Hell), you'll do better just to run the AC. Turn your Air Conditioning off five minutes before you arrive. Park in shaded spaces so that your air conditioning won't have to work as hard when you return. In safe neighborhoods you may even want to crack open your windows.

Full house: After planning what you need to do/buy, checking store hours, and being clear about directions, try to get three errands done in twice the time by combining trips and saving your car from extraneous mileage (Gas is a gamble, and you'll have a better chance at losing less into the poker pool, or rather, tank of gas). Also consider grabbing your bro and three queens - carpooling with a full house is a social way to go green, and save each of you a whole lot of green.

Change your diapers: Nobody wants to, but change out that old oil every so often with the correct motor oil, replace the disgusting air filter that came with car five years ago, check that your engine is properly tuned, and for the love of Gas, repair any serious maintenance problems. When changing diapers, it's always a good idea to watch out for unexpected leaks! The air filter can make a big difference, and you can simply shake a lot of build-up out yourself.

Out with the old, in with the new: I can't afford a hybrid (or any other new vehicle), but it might be worth considering a motorcycle or a car with manual transmission. Shift to a higher gear early, and shift down late. I prefer throwing it into neutral and coasting as much as possible. Whether in manual or automatic transmission, you will save gas by keeping your RPMs low. Pedal bikes have incredibly low RPMs, and burn nothing but birthday cake and cookies. Walking and public transportation are good options.

What a drag: It's good to slow down. Drag forces depend on velocity. Don't drive with cargo carriers or bike racks when they aren't being used. Driving faster increases a car's amount of drag, which increases fuel consumption. However, if you are behind a steady speed driver and able to maintain a safe distance, try to find their slipstream tail and draft - it will save gas for both cars, though especially the rear. Trucks will create the most drag and a longer tail, and they are probably more consistent drivers.

F=ma: Newton's laws explain acceleration to burn more fuel, especially as multiplied by a bigger, heavier vehicle's mass. Build momentum before reaching a hill so as to avoid accelerating on an incline. Minimize the amount of braking and reaccelerating in stop and go traffic by holding a slower speed and allowing more distance between the car ahead of you. Be consistent once driving at your target speed; use cruise control when possible. Try to otherwise avoid heavy traffic and frequent traffic lights.

Mind the gas: Remember that a heavier car burns more fuel. If there's no need to leave heavy items in the car, take them out. It's good to fill up when you find a lower price for gas, but aim to fill up when your tank is low. An emptier tank technically weighs less than a consistently full tank. Consider buying additives to improve gas mileage, but be aware these products are not as effective as they are advertised to be.

Retail therapy: Feel better about yourself by shopping smart. Save 5¢ per gallon at Shell for every $50 you spend at Winn-Dixie, or take advantage of their other select grocery rewards. Explore other partnerships and discounts given to regular customer. 

Knowledge is powerCompare gas prices, visit www.fueleconomy.gov, or explore multitudes of tips through Google. Ask other commuters near you about local deals, smart shopping tips, or cheaper gas stations (name brands may not offer a better product, just a higher rate). Some people suggest keeping a log of what works for you, what doesn't, and what to what work on.

Take life by the horns: My most important tip won't actually save any money, but will reframe how you think about necessary expenses. Choose to enjoy the ride rather than get trapped in the rat race! Remember to burn a good CD, call your mother, sip some decent coffee, and enjoy the long and winding road before you.


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