With gas prices surging, maximize your fuel efficiency
No doubt about it, American families are emptying their wallets into the gas pumps at an alarming rate.
While Big Oil is raking in billions of dollars in profits, families are trying to figure out how they’ll be able to afford to pick up the kids at school and drive to work. Add to that the fact these days it seems as if the rising cost of groceries is directly related to the price of oil, and it becomes obvious why the energy crisis is rapidly becoming an economic crisis.
As gas pumps continue to drain hard-earned dollars from the dwindling resources of American families, the question on everyone’s lips seems to be: What can we do about it?
Oddly enough, the solution that seems to come up most often is to increase production, but that’s a wrongheaded choice in a world where fossil fuels are a finite, and rapidly diminishing, resource.
The fact is, whether we like it or not, the real answer to our oil problem is to use less of it, and that means working toward better fuel efficiency and developing renewable energy.
There are some things regular citizens can do to reduce fuel usage, even if they drive one of those huge, gas-hogging SUVs everyone complains about.
These gas-saving tips come from the Sierra Club’s Green Life blog, and though some may have heard them before, they bear repeating, particularly as summer begins and gas approaches $4 a gallon.
‘ Mind your maintenance ‘ A well-tuned car burns less gasoline, so get your oil and air filters changed regularly. It’s also important to check your tire pressure monthly. Statistics show Americans driving on under-inflated tires waste four million gallons of gas a day and reduce the lifespan of their tires in the process.
‘ Clear out the clutter ‘ According to the Department of Energy, every 100 pounds you carry inside your car lowers its fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. So if you don’t need it on the trip you’re taking, don’t have it in your trunk.
‘ Don’t drive like a jerk ‘ Fast, aggressive driving is a big fuel waster. Try to maintain a constant speed ‘ most cars reach peak efficiency while cruising steady between 55 and 60 mph. And avoid rapid acceleration and braking, which can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent. (And make everyone else on the road hate you.)
‘ Keep your cool ‘ Need relief from the heat? Consumer Reports recommends using the air conditioner if you’re going faster than around 40 miles per hour, since a lot of engine power at high speeds goes to reducing drag open windows can cause. When you’re just cruising around town, it’s more efficient to keep your windows open.
‘ Think fuel efficient ‘ Could some of your short trips be made by walking or riding a bike? Combining trips or errands also helps, as does carpooling with friends.
These days, more than ever, it also pays to consider dumping that gas-guzzling SUV for a more fuel-efficient vehicle, and maybe it’s even time to consider a hybrid. According to Consumer Reports the top five most fuel-efficient cars they have tested are:
‘ Toyota Prius Base ‘ 35 mpg city, 50 highway
‘ Toyota Prius Touring ‘ 34 mpg city, 47 highway
‘ Honda Civic Hybrid ‘ 26 mpg city, 47 highway
‘ Toyota Camry Hybrid ‘ 28 mpg city, 41 highway
‘ Toyota Yaris Base (manual) ‘ 26 mpg city, 42 highway
Not surprisingly, four of these cars are hybrids, and admittedly won’t fit the lifestyle of many families, but as fuel costs continue to skyrocket some families may find them a more and more tempting alternative despite the drawbacks. And if a person is really committed to reducing fuel usage significantly, they might be just the way to go.