Save Gas, Save Money
By: Jake | May 19, 2008 | Category: Money
Next Monday is Memorial Day so many of you will be traveling this weekend. Some will travel by train and plane, but most of you will hit the highway.
If you haven't been living in a secluded area that does not require fuel to live (say a well lit cave), you know that gasoline prices have gone up a lot. It's literally gotten to the point where service stations have to replace old gas meters because they were not built to charge more than a certain amount a gallon.
Let's accept the fact that there is not much you (or we here at Gov Gab) can do to get cheap gas besides researching which station sells the cheapest gas in any location. Once you have paid for your gas, however, there are things you can do to improve your gas mileage and there are things that people say to do (myths) that won't make a difference.
Premium fuel (unless your car requires premium), fuel additives, buying gas in the morning, and changing your air filter generally do not improve your car's fuel use. That information comes from a CNN article where Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com tested six common gas myths. The article did find that inflating your tires and using your air conditioner properly would conserve fuel, but make sure you read the article to see how to do it properly.
There are other effective ways to save fuel that were not mentioned in the article. The Federal Trade Commission offers some tips and Fueleconomy.gov suggests you keep your car tuned up, plan and combine trips and most importantly watch your driving habits. If you really wanted to save money on gas, you could buy or trade in for a more fuel efficient car.
Alright, I've been as thorough as possible but I don't think I've covered every way to save gas. Tell me what you do to conserve gas.
Permalink | View Comments [9] | E-mail This Entry | Tags: economy fuel gas gasoline
Posted by Sherilyn K. Miller on May 19, 2008 at 01:41 PM EDT
Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on May 19, 2008 at 02:20 PM EDT
Posted by MissMe on May 19, 2008 at 04:00 PM EDT
Posted by Gina on May 19, 2008 at 08:18 PM EDT
Posted by Jake on May 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM EDT
Thanks for chiming in. Gina, here is a page with resources that explain why gasoline is so high:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/FAQ.shtml#High
I didn't see too many other ways to save gas in your link missme, but thanks for posting it.
That's pretty interesting about the Volt, Citizen J. A friend of mine who has a hybrid says that she gets great gas mileage up to 60 mpg, depending on her driving habits. Yesterday I bought a new Toyota Matrix. It gets about 32 on the highway, but I don't drive much and take public transportation. The hybrids were a bit out of my price range but it'll be interesting to see how this gas cruch propels that market.
Comment Permalink
Posted by RICHIE on May 22, 2008 at 11:46 AM EDT
Posted by Jake on May 22, 2008 at 12:11 PM EDT
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/05/21/ST2008052102614.html?sid=ST2008052102614 Comment Permalink
Posted by DOC on May 23, 2008 at 04:27 PM EDT
We have already seen the results that greed played (it might have been alot of stupidity too) in with our housing market and the lives that this has and continues to crush! We will stand and watch,helplessly, as the prices of EVERYTHING, consumer related,
increase to new heights.
reminds me of a newly born antelope being mauled and ultimately
devoured by the predator as the mother stands by as witness to the fate of her young. A bit too graphic? sorry but watch what happens if this continues. Comment Permalink
Posted by Motad on May 30, 2008 at 06:09 PM EDT
Have a nice day and drive safe!!! Comment Permalink