Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 31-07-06 10:22:00
Are you frustrated with high gas prices? The easiest and best way to make the price at the pump more affordable is to change the way you drive! For those that do a lot of highway driving, saving $0.40 per litre is easy! City drivers can save $ 0.20 per litre. This is how:-
1) Conserve Momentum
Driving from traffic light to traffic light is not a drag race. In fact, those that stop at the next traffic light are dim-witted gearheads. Don't get sucked into that mentality. Slow accelerations and cruising to the next green light is the way to go.
Should you find yourself approaching a red light, brake early! Do not wait until you get withing 2' of the car in front to brake. It is better to brake early, and roll ever so gently until you get a green.
For the highway drivers in a high traffic situation, can use the same principles. Keep a large distance between you and the car in front, such that you hardly have to use your brakes. Don't worry about those people who cut in. The reason they cut-in will force them to cut-out eventually. It is hard-wired in their mentality.
Use your cruise control. Most modern cars have electronic cruise controls that monitor various aspects of the car to give you the most efficient drive possible. Studies show a driver can save over $0.10/litre over another not using the cruise at the same average speed.
2) Don't fight the wind
For those with any physics background will know that the resistance from the wind grows exponentially with speed. To explain exponential wind force, say the force of the wind at 50km/h is 2 units. At 75km/h it is not 3 units but 4units. At 100km/h it is more like 8 units and so on. So how can we use this to save money on fuel? Simple, do not go faster than you have to. And by the way, there is never any reason to go faster than the speed limit. If you do, your time management sucks and you deserve to pay an extra at the pump. In fact, driving at the slowest speed of your highest gear is the most efficient spot to be. This is normally close to 60km/h in most cars. Obviously this is not practical in highway driving, so 100km/h and not a click higher is the sweetest spot.
3) Fight evil friction
Friction is what you fight to get to your speed and maintain it. It is your enemy. It is costing you tons of money and you don't even see it. Change your oil on time. Most city drivers should be in the extreme use schedule. Make sure your fittings are greased at every oil change (for older cars). Do not ignore the oil in your transmission and your trans-axle. You want every bit of energy produced to be used to drive the car not fight friction.
4) Lose weight and be fit
Knock those extra pounds off your car! Actually you could lose some too! Don't carry that washer fluid or cooler fluid in your trunk. Keep the kids stoller at home.
Be fit by keeping your tires inflated correctly. I check tire pressure at every other fuelling. Stats show under-inflated tires cost about $0.10 per litre. In fact, over-inflating them slightly in the summer can save a bit of money (5% max).
5) Other minor changes
- Plan what you want to do that day. Map out your route in your mind.
- Use public transit if you are going to a specific destination especially a public event (caribana, concert, movie etc.) especially alone.
- Change shopping habits. Buy from a local grocer instead of one 5 kms away.
- Walk or use a bicycle to shop at the local store than drive to it.
BV
Nice post. Already all important points are covered.
Maybe we can add, even at risk of repetition:
1. Do not push pedal too much, sometimes you can lift it a little and not lose speed.
2. Check your acceleration and braking habits, speeding up fast and braking time and again wastes fuel.
3. Try to pay cash. It pinches more than paying by credit card.
4. Try to fuel at discount pumps / watch gas rates.
5. Get your engine tuned in at prescribed intervals, keep spark plugs new / clean. (Older cars).
6. Do try not to drive short distances, try walking if feasible.
7. Pool cars.
8. Buy a fuel efficient low-emmission car in first place.
9. Drive smaller car, if you have the option.
10. Manual transmission could save 5% to 10% fuel, compared to automatic.
11. Avoid idling.
12. Spread awareness.
Check your air filter and replace if dirty..........Could increase mileage upto 15%.
have tires inflated to may be 5 psi more than recommended for the car...........increases fuel efficiency by 5-10%.
Check your O2 sensor and replace if necessary, same for the catalytic converter and fuel filter.
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"Progress comes from deviation".
On a side note if anybody finds my comments or posts offensive or irritating please ignore it and if that still bothers you; please write to me and I will demonstrate.
Nice post by BV and a number of good contributions by LD and Azazf. Have nothing else to add here.
LD, please help me understand your point 3.
I could not figure out how it would help us save on fuel costs by paying cash instead of credit card. Do you mean (believe) that Gas companies would give us discount or pass on the savings if we all pay by cash as it would reduce their expenses?
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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
Quote:
Originally posted by Pramod ChopraI could not figure out how it would help us save on fuel costs by paying cash instead of credit card. Do you mean (believe) that Gas companies would give us discount or pass on the savings if we all pay by cash as it would reduce their expenses?
I think what he is trying to say is that every time you see cash go out of your hand/pocket it might pinch you rather than using plastic money where you dont see the money physically going out of your hand.
I have a question................is the gas prices any different on the reserves??
I know it would be cheaper for the native guy but what if we buy gas from there. I can get cigarettes for cheap although not being a native from the reserve.
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"Progress comes from deviation".
On a side note if anybody finds my comments or posts offensive or irritating please ignore it and if that still bothers you; please write to me and I will demonstrate.
Nice post! Be Fit message for car is interesting and applies to the person who sits inside too!
thanks,
I am going to stick my neck out and say:
1. If everyone coasts from light to light, and applies their brakes well ahead of a red light, this will increase traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, and there will be an increase in consumption due to increased traffic density. Please be aware of your fellow motorists, and go with the flow. Don't create traffic.
2. Know your vehicle. How your vehicle consumes fuel is very much a function of its hp/torque curve, and rpms at cruising speed. My Toyota vehicles give crappy mileage with jackrabbit starts, and above 100. But above 125, the mileage actually improves. My GM pushrod vehicles give excellent mileage with brisk acceleration, because they reach cruising speed quicker, which uses much less fuel. The torque curve on many GM v6's naturally supports brisk acceleration, and there is not much loss of fuel economy at higher speeds.
In short, a flatter torque curve and aerodynamic vehicle will give you more consistent fuel consumption and you will likely achieve the EPA numbers under more varied driving conditions, including higher speeds and brisk acceleration.
