drive less and use less gas

1. CHOOSE LOWER OCTANE FUEL.
Unless you have a high performance vehicle, there is no reason to purchase high-octane gas. Contrary to popular belief, putting higher priced fuel into your car does not benefit your cars engine or daily performance. Choose a lower octane, lower priced fuel instead.

2. USE THE A/C SPARINGLY.
The more you used the air conditioner, the more gas is being used up.

3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT GEAR.
Driving in a gear lower than needed wastes gas. So for all standard drivers out there, without accelerating more than necessary, switch up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible.

4. REFRAIN FROM LIVING LARGE.
Refrain from driving the largest automobile available unless it is absolutely necessary. SUVs guzzle gas quicker than you can bat an eye. Try purchasing a midsize vehicle.

5. REDUCE EXCESS WEIGHT.
Don’t use your vehicle as a storage unit. Clean out your car and avoid driving around heavy items that will use up excess gas.

6. DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT.
Don’t be tempted to speed since the faster you drive the more gas you use. Every 5 mph over 60 is like adding a dime to the per-gallon cost of your gas!

7. CLEAN YOUR FILTERS REGULARLY.
Dirty air filters causes the car engine to work extra hard. The result? Using extra gas.

8. TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
Turn off the engine instead of letting it idle. One minute of idling uses more gas then simply starting up the engine.

9. SET YOUR CRUISE CONTROL.
Maintaining a constant speed results in better fuel economy.

10. DON’T ACCELERATE QUICKLY.
Pushing the pedal to the metal uses up a ton of gas take your time accelerating the next time you move from a stopped position.

11. PARK IT.
Once you have reached your destination park your car and opt for walking anywhere else you want to go. Get some exercise and save some fuel.

12. CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE.
Check the air pressure in your tires at least once per month to make sure they have enough air (if you are not sure what the air pressure should be check on the psi label located on the inside panel of your car door). Having a single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

13. AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.
Do not switch lanes consistently or cut other drivers off, instead choose one lane and relax. “Jack Rabbit” or stop and go driving can use up to 40% more gas.

14. CHANGE YOUR OIL REGULARLY.
Get an oil change every 5000 kms/ 3100 miles or every 3 months (whichever comes first). An oil change is an inexpensive way to keep your cars engine running in tip-top shape…the result is better fuel consumption.

15. KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED.
Keeping your windows open, especially at higher speeds, increases car drag and decreases fuel economy by up to 10%.

16. PURCHASE FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES.
Purchase vehicles with less powerful engines as they typically use less fuel per mile. For example, instead of purchasing a 6-cylinder car buy a 4-cylinder.

By Gina Goldenberg – Mess Management http://www.messmanagement.com FREE Mess Management Idea-Pak and E-zine, filled with tips and information articles to help you organize your home or office and simplify your life.

Reproduction of this material is allowed only if accompanied by entire signature line at bottom. All rights reserved in all countries. Copyright Mess Management 2005-2006 5 years ago

It’s not easy for me to resist the powerful impulses that would have me spending the entire day in the car, but I’m working on it. I’m endeavoring mightily to consolidate my errands into one or two days rather than jumping in the car every time I need something. I hate everything about buying gas, and am not all that crazy about driving. This year we’re going to stay home and work on the house and garden instead of going away for the Memorial Day weekend, when normally we’d be driving almost six hours EACH WAY to get down the Jersey shore. It’s not going to save the world, but at least this will be one weekend I won’t hate myself for wasting money…well, not yet, anyway! 6 years ago