There are many ways to conserve fuel when driving; simple things you can do to increase your gas mileage. Recently I was at the gas station and I noticed that the price was above $3.00 per gallon for regular. I thought wow, I am glad I have a small car with me today? I looked over at a Soccer Mom, filling up her tank she looked at the pump with tears in her eyes and started to break down. I asked her what was wrong, only half suspecting it was the fuel prices. She said she had wanted to visit her mother next weekend how was in the hospital, but said she couldn't. She said look at this. It said $109.09 and she said; "My card is already over limit and I will be surprised if they do not shut it off now." Today gas is three-dollars a gallon soon if could be as high as $4.00? I asked her what it usually cost to fill it up? She said something that shocked me; "Who said I filled it up?" In fact it was not on the "F" for full mark. Her trusty Suburban, which she bought for safety so she could take her four kids to various school, church and sporting events and practice is too expensive to drive. She said she could let her husband drive it, but it really did not fit in the parking structure at work too well and it kept getting door dings and side swiped when he used it. It did have marks on it, it was a nice vehicle indeed, even had what appeared to be shopping cart therapy marks from its over size in the stalls. I explained to her some simple driving techniques which if employed could reduce her weekly fuel bill considerably. We talked about carpooling techniques when possible and consolidation of trips. It is time America think about conservation, perhaps better planning of trips, car pooling and driving at best rates of fuel use. Then we talked about the best way to use cruise control. How so? Well use cruise control and drive 55-60 on the freeways, this will keep your cars fuel consumption rates low, once you move much over 55 mph, the co-efficient of drag curve shoot up into a hyperbolic usage scale. Cut down on that wind resistance of highspeed, as takes a big toll on your fuel economy. Another thing you can do is not accelerate from a stop, allow the car to slowly break ground (move forward) before touching the gas pedal. You can also think about using the air-conditioner less, use the poor man's "model 52" air-conditioner drive fifty and roll down two windows. Think on this. |
