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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“Gas consumption – and prices – historically rise with the temperature as more people drive for work or pleasure during the warmer months,” says Sue Pinera, environmental programs director of the Hertz Corp., leaders in the rental car industry.“But you can definitely drive green and save yourself some money without having to trade in your reliable, reasonably priced family vehicle for a new one that features the latest eco-friendly technology.”

Summer vacations often mean extra driving, either to your destination in your own vehicle or, if you fly, in a rental car once you’re there. “Of all summer driving, vacation driving can be the most costly and least green,” Pinera points out. “Whether it’s spending time stuck in traffic or driving in circles looking for an attraction site in an unfamiliar location, there are plenty of opportunities to waste gas.”

Car rental agents, who work in tourist areas across the country leasing a variety of vehicles, have seen everything that works – and doesn’t work – when it comes to conserving gas, saving money and preserving the environment while vacation driving. Here are some tips from agents at Hertz for smart vacation driving:

In Your Own Car

* Have your car thoroughly checked out before going on a long vacation road trip. Be sure tires are properly inflated, oil and oil and air filters are fresh, and the air-conditioning is working properly. “Just $100 in preventative maintenance can save you real dollars in terms of fuel efficiency and a great deal of aggravation if you happen to catch a potentially serious problem before you break down on the roadside,” Pinera says.

* Drive smoothly and considerately. Aggressive driving – fast starts, excessive speed, abrupt maneuvers and constant braking – is not only dangerous, it significantly increases your vehicle’s fuel consumption. “You’ll enjoy the ride more and spend less on gas if you just drive friendly,” Pinera says.

* Only use premium fuel if your car’s manufacturer specifically recommends it for your engine type. Regular fuel costs less and premium will not improve your fuel efficiency in anything but a high-performance engine.

* Look for gas stations that offer pumps with vapor-recovery nozzles. They look like black plastic accordions attached to the nozzle. These curb emissions. Likewise, never try to “top off” your tank with these nozzles. They’re designed to shut off when the gas tank is at its optimum fullness. Continuing to pump could lead to overfilling and spilling.

* Try to pack light and avoid putting anything on top of your vehicle. Rooftop storage may increase the risk of rollover in some types of vehicles, and increases drag, which lowers fuel efficiency in all kinds of autos.

In a Rental Car

* Whenever possible, choose a fuel-efficient model, such as a subcompact, compact or economy car. The good news is that these are usually the least expensive to rent from any company.

* Consider renting a hybrid. Hertz, for example, offers a “Green Collection” of rental cars that includes fuel-sipping hybrids like the Toyota Prius or other environmentally friendly vehicles like the Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata, which feature an average Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway fuel efficiency rating of 31 miles per gallon.

* Paying the extra fee for a navigation system can go a long way towards saving you time (and money) driving around lost. “Navigation systems can help you find your way in unfamiliar territory, helping you reach your list of attractions with a minimum of time and gas lost,” Pinera says. “How you entertain the kids in the back seat, however, is entirely up to you.”

For more green driving tips, visit www.greencars.org or www.epa.gov/air/actions/drive_wise. To learn more about Hertz’s fleet of eco-friendly, fuel-saving vehicles, visit www.Hertz.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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* Drive smoothly. Avoid heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town, and by 33 percent at higher highway speeds.

* Replace dirty or clogged air filters. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter with a clean one can improve gasoline mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car’s air filter can protect your engine from impurities.

* Keep your engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately. If your car has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by 4 percent on average.

* Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure and not over or under inflated. Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. Keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve your gasoline mileage by about 3.3 percent.

* Choose a high-quality gasoline. All gasolines are not the same. Avoid low-quality discount gasolines that may allow performance-robbing gunk to form in your engine.

* Minimize vehicle drag. Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items that only add weight. Removing excess weight can improve your gasoline mileage.

* Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic. Maintaining a constant speed can improve gasoline mileage.

* Avoid idling. When you are idle, you get 0 miles per gallon.

* Avoid higher speeds. Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving at speeds over 60 mph.

* Plan your outings to avoid separate trips. Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips. This helps avoid unnecessary cold starts and keeps your car’s engine running warm and more efficiently.

* Reward yourself by using a rebate credit card. Choosing the right card can help you save money at the pump. For instance, the Shell Platinum MasterCard from Citi Cards offers a 5 percent rebate on Shell gasoline purchases and a 1 percent rebate on all other purchases. At the national average of $3.10 per gallon (Department of Energy, as of May 15, 2007) for regular grade gasoline, cardholders earn 15 cents per gallon back on their gasoline purchases.

“Shell wants to help drivers make the most out of every fill-up, which is why we recommend adding FuelStretch driving techniques to daily routines,” says Michael Grundy, a Shell specialist who specializes in gasoline and vehicle efficiency. “While these tips might sound like a lot to keep in mind, you’ll be surprised how quickly they become second nature. Making a few small adjustments can help you become more fuel efficient, which means fewer trips to the gasoline station.”

To find more program tips and information, visit www.shell.com/us/fuelstretch.

Auto Ideas
With the rising cost of vehicle ownership, it is important to look into simple driving tips that can help you stretch your fuel budget. For example, because all gasolines are not the same, you should avoid low-quality discount gasolines that may allow performance-robbing gunk to form in your engine. For more easy-to-use tips and more information, visit www.shell.com/us/fuelstretch.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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But with gas prices climbing toward $4 a gallon (or more!), folks are concerned about the costs of driving. Can families still afford to pile the kids into the car and ride to summer’s favorite hot spots? Will a kids’ chorus of “are we going?” replace the standard endless chants of “are we there yet?”

Savvy drivers say “no!” They’re constantly seeking ways to increase fuel economy and to squeeze out more miles per tank. Instead of focusing purely on the fuel gauge, though, experts suggest paying more attention to tires, those black, rubbery objects that connect vehicles to the road. Yes, the right rubber on the road can save gas in the tank.

According to Fred Koplin of Yokohama Tire Corporation, manufacturer of everything from ultra-high performance tires for passenger cars and SUVs to tires for buses, trucks and airplanes, “Tires that are under-inflated by just 6 to 7 psi (pounds per square inch) can reduce fuel economy by 2 percent or more … and tread wear life by as much as 10 percent.

“When a tire is under-inflated, the car’s weight rests more on the tire’s shoulders than its center, causing poor fuel economy, uneven wear and a less-than-firm ride, which can significantly reduce driver control.”

Koplin says most people aren’t aware that today’s tires are scientific marvels, holding up under extreme heat and freezing conditions, cruising over pavement, rocks, dirt, water, snow, mud, gravel and all sorts of road hazards. Tires boast advanced tread designs, sidewalls, belts and compounds, and they work so well, they’ve practically become an afterthought in most households.

The Auto Club reports that as many as 86 percent of drivers don’t check their tire inflation properly. However, this percentage is likely to start dropping as gas prices under-inflate consumer pocketbooks and former tire novices learn how to maintain proper pressure levels.

“The tire’s proper inflation level can be found on a placard in the glove box or on the car door or in the owner’s manual,” Koplin says. And while there are about 3,500 sizes and types of tires on the market, he suggests some simple procedures to aid proper tire wear.

* Once a month, when the tires are cold, or at least 3 to 4 hours after the vehicle has been driven, check tire pressure with a reliable tire gauge. (Normal driving causes tires to heat, raising air pressure. Releasing air when tires are hot may dangerously under-inflate the tires.) And be sure that the valve stems have a plastic or metal cap to keep out dirt and seal against leakage.

* Tires should be rotated at least every 5,000 to 8,000 miles and the alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires can cause the car to drag, which lowers mileage and causes unnecessary tire wear.

* An over-inflated tire puts less tread on the road and increases wear on the center of the tread. A tire is designed to run with the vehicle’s weight spread evenly across the tire’s width.

* Consumers can go to (www.yokohamatire.com/csunderstand.asp) for additional tire care and safety tips or visit the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s Web site at www.rma.org.

“Even though tire technology has advanced as much in the past decade as almost any other facet of automotive engineering, only the discerning consumers understand the high-tech realities of tires,” Koplin says. “However, with escalating fuel prices, the time is fast approaching when drivers are going to focus on simple things like proper tire pressure to maximize tire performance, increase fuel economy and boost tread wear.”

And start heading back down the highway of summer travels.

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For many Canadians, the price of gasoline is having an impact on everyday living expenses. And while you may have no control over today’s fluctuating fuel prices at the pump, here are five things you can do to help save money.

1. Replace worn spark plugs. “Old or dirty spark plugs can reduce fuel economy by 30 percent,” said Megan Currie, Honeywell Consumer Products Group product manager. Autolite Double Platinum spark plugs feature platinum-to-platinum firing, virtually eliminate gap erosion, reduce misfires, and provide 160,000 kilometers durability.

2. Keep your tires properly inflated and balanced, and avoid carrying heavy loads. Empty your vehicle of any unnecessary items. An extra 45 kilograms can reduce fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent, according to Edmunds.com.

3. Change your air filter regularly. Did you know that a clogged or dirty air filter makes it difficult for your engine to breathe properly? And, if you drive in seemingly unforgiving circumstances, like excessive stop-and-go traffic, or dirty or dusty conditions, you might want to consider a filter that is more durable in design, like the Fram Tough Guard premium air filter. “This filter is constructed with advanced features to protect your engine under tough driving conditions,” said Currie.

4. Tighten your gas cap. It is easy for fuel to evaporate if a fuel cap is damaged, loose or missing.

5. Avoid excessive idling and turn off the engine if you are running into a convenience store, stopped at train tracks or waiting in line at a bank or fast food drive-thru. It requires more gasoline to idle than it does to restart your engine.

“These are simple, cost effective ways to ensure you are getting the most gasoline for your money,” adds Currie. For more gas savings, tips, log on to www.fram.com or www.autolite.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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