Desperate to Ease Pain at the Gas Pump? Here’s How

Can’t recall the last time you paid less than $40 for a tank of gas? You’re not alone. With prices already topping $4 per gallon in places like Chicago and New York City, and demand expected to rise this summer, you may be willing to try just about anything to curb gas consumption and costs.

“It’s possible to improve gas mileage in virtually any vehicle,” advises Bill Schumacher , an automotive expert with NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation. “You can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage by making some simple changes to the way you travel.”

Better Driving Equals Better Mileage

One of the most important thing you can do to improve your gas mileage is to simply drive smarter. That means staying within the speed limit, avoiding aggressive driving, and braking and starting smoothly.

“Being a polite driver isn’t just a nice thing to do, it can help you conserve gas and save money,” Schumacher points out. In fact, Edmunds.com tested the theory that moderate driving could result in improved gas mileage and found that moderate driving reduced gas consumption an average of 31 percent, with lower speed driving saving an average of 12 percent.

Use cruise control whenever possible on level highways, but avoid using it in hilly roads where it forces the engine to labor to maintain speed. Instead, maintain speed going up the hill and remove your foot from the gas pedal on the downside, allowing gravity to do the job of moving the car. Edmunds found that smart use of cruise control improved gas efficiency an average of 7 percent.

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

“Driving lost can lead to backtracking, excessive idling and unnecessary miles – all major gas wasters,” warns Schumacher. “There’s a reason why the big transport companies like FedEx and UPS pre-plan drivers’ routes; knowing where you’re going ahead of time means you’re less likely to waste gas driving aimlessly.”

For daily driving tasks, compare routes to see which one is likely to save the most gas. Remember, the shortest distance is not necessarily the best gas-saving route. Idling – the kind you would do in heavy stop-and-go traffic – can consume up to a gallon of gas or more per hour, according to Benjamin Jones, co-founder of the Web site Ecomodder. You may save gas with a route that is slightly longer in miles, but where less traffic allows you to keep moving at a consistent, moderate pace.

If you’re planning a long summer road trip, or even just heading somewhere new locally, make sure your route is as direct as possible. Consult a map or the Internet. If you have a newer vehicle, use your in-dash navigation system, and if you don’t have one, consider investing in a portable device. Those devices offer a lot of information on your favorite brands, whether it’s coffee, gas or a hotel chain you seek, your GPS device will help locate and identify a smart route.

Because traffic conditions change daily, be sure you’re using the most current information available. Update the map on your on-board navigation or handheld device by logging on to www.navteq.com and visiting their store. Or use www.traffic.com to get information if you don’t have a navigation system. The site can also be accessed from any Web-equipped cell phone at http://mobi.traffic.com, or by calling the (866) MY-TRAFC (866-698-7232) traffic hotline.

Choose People Power

If you are out walking or biking, consider equipping your bicycle with a carry basket. A trip to the post office or grocery store can become a cost-savings and health-benefiting excursion if you bike or walk. “It’s been said the human body is the most efficient engine ever built,” Schumacher comments. “Walking or biking for short trips is the ultimate way to save on gas costs. Plus, it’s good for the environment and your health.”

When driving, consider wearing thin-soled shoes or – if the law in your state permits – driving barefoot. The sensitivity of your skin will help you brake and accelerate gently, improving gas mileage.

Make smart use of the discounts and incentives many businesses are using to win and keep customers. Choose gas stations that offer cash back programs. Many entertainment venues, hotels and restaurants have begun offering discounts and incentives to reward patrons for spending the money on a drive to their destination.

Finally, use people power to avoid long idle times, which can consume up to a gallon of gas per hour. Stopping at the bank, a fast food joint or the pharmacy? Get out and go inside instead of heading for the drive-through.

“Not only will you slash gas-wasting idle time, you’ll begin working off those fast food calories on the walk back to the car,” Schumacher jokes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Penske Truck Rental offers these tips to help make your winter journey smooth and easy:

* Get oriented. Familiarize yourself with the vehicle. Be sure to adjust the mirrors and know how the heater, defroster and wipers work. Pick up your truck a day early and practice maneuvering it.

* Wait out bad weather. The most difficult time to operate any vehicle is in snow and icy road conditions. If possible, wait out the bad weather until the roads are clear.

* Stopping takes longer. A 16-foot rental truck requires up to three times more distance to stop on a slick road. Larger trucks take even more. Always leave extra stopping space between the vehicles around yours on slick or dry roads.

* Clear snow and ice. Be sure your vehicle is clear of snow and ice before you take to the road. Clear mirrors, windows, headlights, tail lights, and remove any excess snow on the vehicle’s hood and roof.

* Blind spots. Trucks have oversized blind spots, known as the “No Zone” according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Know these spots by visiting www.sharetheroadsafely.org especially when changing lanes or coming to a stop.

* Antilock brakes. The key is to let antilock brakes do its work, and that’s accomplished by applying to the pedal constant and firm pressure. That should prevent brake lockup and loss of steering. There is no need to pump antilock brakes multiple times, as is the case with older cars.

* Speed. Slow down on slick roads. The recommended maximum speed for a loaded rental truck is 45 miles per hour in favorable road conditions and much slower in slick winter road conditions. So, slow down and give yourself plenty of time to safely reach your new home.

* Pack essential items. Be sure to bring along extra drinks and snacks, and especially a cell phone, in the event you are sidelined during prolonged weather delays.

* Rest up. Get a good night’s sleep before you take to the highway to maximize your reaction time.

Get more moving tips from Penske online at www.GoPenske.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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The fine dust particles that blow off gravel roads and construction areas are a nuisance to local residents, but many people aren’t aware of the health and safety concerns associated with dust pollution — or that there are some efficient and cost-effective ways to combat the dust.

Why Dust is an Issue
Dusty roads can cause problems for nearby residents and affect local transportation. For example:

* Dust from unpaved roads often makes its way into nearby homes, worsening symptoms for people with respiratory ailments, such as asthma, and those who are allergy-prone.

* Dust particles kicked into the air by traffic on unpaved roads can form dark and dense dust clouds, severely limiting visibility and making driving unsafe.

* When the top-most dust layer blows off road surfaces, the larger, abrasive rocks and stones left behind are often thrown into the air, causing cracked windshields, broken headlights, chipped paint and other kinds of wear-and-tear on automobiles.

* Dust is an important part of the road structure. If it is blown away, potholes and other kinds of road deterioration can develop that can be dangerous to drivers and costly to repair.

Combating Dust
While paving gravel roads is the surest way to control dust, it is an expensive option for many municipalities and townships with limited budgets. Instead, townships sometimes turn to unprocessed oil field brine, but this requires frequent applications and there is a risk of negative environmental impact from the impurities found in this by-product of oil well operation. Here are some reliable and cost-effective ways to reduce the impact of dust in your community:

* Block it out: Keep the doors and windows of your home closed, especially during times of the day when road traffic is high, to help keep the dust particles out. Indoor air filters and purification units can also help control dust in the home.

* Reduce driving speeds: Drive at slower speeds on unpaved roads to reduce the level of dust blown into the air by vehicles.

* Water it down: Watering down dusty roads can offer short-term relief for mild dust problems by causing dust particles to stick to the road temporarily.

* Apply a calcium chloride dust control product: To address more persistent dust control problems with fewer applications, a moisture-thirsty calcium chloride product in either a liquid or flake form can provide a longer-lasting solution. High-performance products like LIQUIDOW liquid calcium chloride or DOWFLAKE Xtra 83 to 87 percent pure calcium chloride flakes from The Dow Chemical Company (www.DowCalciumChloride.com) work by attracting moisture from the air and binding dust particles tightly to the dampened road surface, helping to keep airborne dust at a minimum, even in dry, hot climates. In addition to keeping dust in check, calcium chloride can also reduce grading intervals and the need to replace displaced road gravel.

For more information, visit www.DowCalciumChloride.com

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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