 With ever-increasing gas prices and our lingering dependence on fossil fuels – namely gasoline – it’s critical that we do all that we can to reduce our use and our dependence on gasoline.
There are many ways to reduce use and conserve gasoline. Here are some to get you started:
- Aggressive, overzealous driving destroys fuel efficiency. Revving the engine, quick or abrupt acceleration, and high speed travel reduce your fuel economy. Use your cruise control whenever possible to maintain RPMs and preserve.
- Stop-and-go traffic, crowded roads, and endless searching for the perfect parking place are efficient at just one thing: burning fuel. To alleviate this, try running your errands before or after rush hour and peak shopping times. You’ll save time getting there and finding parking. It is also often cooler at these times so you can avoid runing the air conditioner, saving even more fuel.
- Keeping up with inexpensive auto maintenance, like replacing your air-filter, properly inflating your tires, using the proper weight of oil, performing scheduled tune-ups and using only the necessary octane have the potential for significant impact to your fuel economy’s bottom line.
- If you own multiple cars, drive the more fuel efficient vehicle more often. It may be more difficult to squeeze in the groceries or the materials from the Home Depot run, but you will be squeezing more mileage out of your fuel. You’ll also be getting more mileage out of the money you are forced to pour into the pump.
- Removing all unnecessary items from your vehicle – leave the spare tire and related tools – increases fuel efficiency.
- Reduce the number of trips you take. Run errands on your way to and from work so you don’t have to go out again. Try to buy everything you need at a single store, rather than driving to multiple stores. When visiting more than one store in a strip mall, walk to various stores, don’t move the car and drive there. Rather than jetting out to pick up carry-out, browse the fridge and cupboards instead of going out for a meal. Choosing delivery over take-out is slightly more fuel efficient, too. Granted, gas is still being used but the drivers typically deliver to multiple locations in an efficient order to reduce both gas use and delivery time.
- Carpooling, carpooling, carpooling! Going together is green and saves gas. Carpooling to work is an obvious solution. Take carpooling one step further. Grocery shop with your neighbor or roommate. Make a Target run with a friend (so long as their house is on the way). Coordinate dropping off and picking up your kids and their pals with the other parents. Rather than everyone meeting out at a restaurant or show, gather together with friends and family at each other's homes. By doing so, not everyone is traveling and gas is conserved.
- Thieves stealing gas from gas tanks is becoming more and more prevalent, particularly following a spike in gas prices. Buying an inexpensive (most range from $6 to $20) keyed/locking gas cap prevents would-be thieves from scoring your precious petrol.
- Gone are the days are of just going for a drive – it is wasteful and expensive. Be sure your kids get this message by reminding them that driving is a privilege; not a right and that driving is for transportation; not for fun. Encourage everyone in your household to walk or ride a bike whenever possible to reduce CO2 emissions, conserve gas, and get a little exercise and fresh air.
- Ask yourself this question: Can I do this at home, rather than going out? Many things you would ordinarily run out to do can be done at home or online without jumping in the car. Try pay-per-view, home movies, or watching TV or movies online instead of the video store or theater. Hulu.com has a tremendous variety of TV and movies from the past and the present. Engage in athletic activities at home rather than driving to the park or sports complex. A game of catch or H-O-R-S-E, soccer, bike riding, hiking, jogging, walking, etc. can all be done at home or by walking/cycling to a nearby venue.
Just by making small changes, you can improve your gas tank’s bottom line and reduce your carbon footprint.
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