With the price of gasoline at an all-time high, you may feel the urge to trade the old gas-hog in on a newer, more expensive gas-sipping econocar. But have you really tried to maximize the miles per gallon that you're getting now from your comfortable and capacious SUV? Here are some gas saving tips that could get you through this period of high gas prices, without shelling out any extra dough for worthless devices, or spending thousands of dollars on a tiny subcompact car.
Slow Down.
By simply observing the posted speed limits, you could gain from 5% to 23% more miles per gallon of gas.
Change Aggressive Driving Habits.
Rapid and abrupt acceleration and braking habits could be costing you up to 33% extra fuel consumption. Practice anticipating turns and traffic lights so you won't have to waste energy making last-minute decisions. Avoid feeling the need to accelerate to the speed limit immediately - try a more gradual approach, even if you feel that traffic is "leaving you behind." Chances are, you'll meet them at the next light anyway.
Momentum is Your Friend.
Momentum, the energy within your rolling automobile, should be treated like a gift from the gods. Preserve it if safety allows. Use the energy gained from rolling down a hill to help power your car up the next hill. Use brakes sparingly, if safely possible. Remember, it takes a lot of energy to get a 2-ton vehicle moving from a standstill. Much less energy is needed to keep it rolling.
Avoid Left Hand Turns.
Although this strategy may sound doubtful, the fact that United Parcel Service (UPS) is redesigning delivery routes across the country to avoid left-hand turns should make other drivers take notice. Time wasted idling at stop lights waiting for access to left-hand turns has been shown to be a major gas-waster. Take a hint from the big guys and plan your route to eliminate as many left turns as possible.
Combine Trips.
This one sounds like a no-brainer, right? In reality, due in part to our "active lifestyles," this tip is often ignored. Plan trips ahead of time to take advantage of inherent efficiencies. For example, try to reduce multiple trips to specific areas of town by combining these trips into one, large journey. An added benefit of this strategy is the time saved, in addition to gas.
Dan Morton is a car enthusiast, author and internet entrepreneur. Visit his unconventional car site, http:/http://www.RodnClassic.com
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