Christine Columbus
is all about making travel safer, easier and more comfortable.
With prices skyrocketing these days, we need to include "cheaper" as well.
Since 67% of our travels are by automobile, and gas prices pushing $4 a gallon
(I know, it's not there yet but it might happen), coming up with ways to extend
our budget on car travel has become drastically needed.
Here are a few points to save money when driving:
Don't buy gas with greater octane rating than the auto manual recommends. Some think that higher octane ratings mean high quality gas but that isn't true. If your manual says to buy regular gas (usually 87 octane - it's stated on the pump), than you are wasting money paying for premium. Optimal performance is obtained when using gas with the octane rating the engine was designed for. Using mid-range or premium octane gas costs more and will not result in superior performance. However, older vehicles may require these grades to avoid "knock" which reduces power and may damage the engine.
Keep your tires inflated at the recommended tire pressure. This is very important yet somewhat counterintuitive. Under inflated tires will get poorer gas mileage and shorten tire life. Keep a close eye on your tire pressure. Check your manual for proper inflation pressures.
De-Junk the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can degrade fuel economy by 2 percent. That means if the price of gas is $3 per gallon, with that 100 pounds of junk you are paying $3.06 per gallon. It adds up.
Use a light foot. Gently accelerate. Acceleration is where most gas is consumed. It takes relatively little gas to maintain a constant speed. Also drive slower, higher speeds consume disproportionately more gas (easier said than done). One study reported that for all vehicles tested there was at least 20% loss in fuel economy as cruising speed was increased from 55 to 75 mph. So, 20 mpg at 55 mph becomes 16 mpg or less at 75 mph.
If you have an instant MPG (miles per gallon) meter, use it to gage yourself.
Also use cruise control on highway trips.
Stop your engine if idle for 30 seconds or longer if it's safe to do so.
Don't fall for those gas-saving gadgets, oil treatments, etc. Consumer Reports have tested the dozens of so-called gas-saving engine accessories and found that they deliver nothing but hot air.
Ditch the roof rack unless absolutely necessary. Even an empty one will catch the wind and cost you mileage.
Reduce the use of your air conditioner at low driving speeds. However, when driving over 40 mph using the air conditioner costs less fuel than having windows open.
Park in the shade and/or leave windows slightly open to reduce the need for air conditioning.
Do not overfill the tank. After the auto-fill nozzle clicks off, don't allow service station personnel to "top-off" the tank if they are using the vapor recovery nozzles. These recover more than just gasoline vapor for the station.
Calculate gasoline mileage periodically. Declining mileage can be an early indicator of mechanical problems or a need for servicing.
Purchase your gasoline when it's coolest outside such as in the early morning or at night. Gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Since gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel - and not the density - you'll get more gas for the money and therefore greater overall gas mileage by purchasing fuel when it's cool outside rather than in the heat of the day.
Don't drive with open windows when traveling at high speeds. Open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It's much better to use the ventilation system.
Stop using the drive-thru's at fast food, coffee, and other outlets. Besides, going inside and eating at a table is a restful break from the road rat-race.
Shop gas stations for best price. Beware of the branded gas with those so-called unique additives with their higher prices in favor of private label and lesser advertised brands. The main point of comparison is octane rating so compare prices against octane ratings and buy where cheaper. However don't be driving 20 miles out of your way to get that cheaper gas - that misses the whole point of this.
Don't gas up when there is a tanker truck filling the station tanks. Filling agitates any sediment in the tank, which can pump into your car and clog filters, lines, etc.
Pump your own gas and save several cents per gallon unless you live in a state like Oregon where it is against the law to pump your own. (Gas Nazis.)
Of course drive carefully, defensively.
Plan your trip and get maps, online directions, etc. Wandering around wondering where to go
is unsafe and uses gas. Other ways to save on gas is to consider using the Internet more
often to search for items you want to purchase - and comparison shop - let your "mouse" do the
driving. Many on-line stores (like us) have free shipping promotions. There are many traditional
stores such as office supply, pet-care products, craft and fabric stores and gardening suppliers, and
even grocery chains that have on-line sites which offer delivery service.
Start a shopping club at your workplace or in your neighborhood if you don't meet the
minimum order charges to qualify for free shipping - the items all can be delivered to one
business address. During the 1980's gas crisis when gas was creeping up over a $1.00 a
gallon (ah the old days), catalog shopping really took off, as a way to save time and money.
For everyday driving,
plan it so that you take advantage of errands that can be done all within the
same area at the same time. Instead of going out everyday -
have a errand day in which you do all your running around at off peak traffic times -
then you won't likely be sitting in traffic jams wasting fuel - stopping and going and
all those red lights burn up fuel fast. One time it was prudent to shop store coupons for bargains
- today however, the 25 cents saved on ketchup at a store 10 miles way is no longer a savings.
Weigh the gas cost and time lost against the savings. You many find that an added benefit may
also time saved as well as money. Drive to the farthest errand destination and work your way back
home and don't back-track. It may take some additional planning to do your normal shopping and
errands but the money you save in gas will off set the money you will being paying for the
"fuel surcharge" the airlines are have tacked on tickets …now don't get me started on airline
charges...That's another newsletter!
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travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences,
likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and travel tips.
Please let me know how I
can assist you with your travel needs.
Specials!
