Conserving Gasoline

How to get better gas mileage (for free)!

All of us need to use less gas. Gasoline has become expensive, producing and consuming it damages our planet, and Americans need to be less dependent on foreign oil. Constructive action comes from individuals. This is something we can do for ourselves, each and every one of us. Here are some free, easy tips and hints that will help you save gas and money while getting better mileage in your car or truck.

measure & test, measure & test

Until you do, you don't know sh*t.

The only way to know what your mileage is by doing the math regularly. Guessing doesn't count. Once you know your baseline, you can measure the effects of new driving habits.

Put paper and pencil in your glove compartment. The next time you buy gas, zero the trip odometer, and write down your total mileage. Every time you buy gas after that, write down your total mileage, the trip odometer mileage, how many gallons of gas your purchased, and the price. After recording the numbers, reset the trip odometer. Do this and yYou'll quickly learn what your average mileage is for your regular driving patterns.

Recording your mileage and adjusting your driving is fun. It brings an element of interactivity to the chore of driving and buying gas. Long trip? How did your mileage differ from in city driving? Extra passengers one week? How much did your mileage go down? Tune up? Did you see a bump in your mph?

I use a simple Excel spreadsheet to record my Smart Car's mileage. It's nothing fancy but you're free to download the spreadshet here.

lighten your load

The heavier your car, the more gas you'll burn to move it. Lighten your load by emptying your trunk. You heard me: empty your trunk.

Over time we all collect "stuff" in our car we don't need to lug around with us. We definitely don't need to burn extra fuel to carry unneeded junk everywhere. So go out to your car, open up the trunk, and remove any unnecessary items you're been carrying around with you.

While you're at it, empty your glove compartment and the back seat. And you truck owners, this goes for you too.

check your tire pressure

Nice round tires are ideal. If your tires are underinflated, they're a little flat. They won't roll smoothly because there's more friction and rolling resistance.

Measure your tires' air pressure the next time you buy gas. Fill them all to the correct pressure. Then they'll roll smoothly and increase your gas mileage.

I know some gas stations charge for air these days so this tip may not qualify as 100 percent "free". Gas stations with mechanics often use compressed air for their tools. Ask if you can "borrow" a few cubic feet. Or ask a bike rider. They often know where free air pumps are.Hereafter, check your tire pressure regularly.

coasting is fun

More importantly, coasting doesn't use much gas at all but you still get where you're going. So do it more often.

This may not be the safest thing to do if you have an automatic transmission but if you've got a stick, coasting is nothing more than putting it in neutral and letting it glide.

Yeah, yeah. Coasting works best when you're going downhill but once you're up to speed you can coast to a red light or stop sign even on level ground.

Use these suggestions now. Not tomorrow, right now. They cost nothing , take little or no time, and you'll reap the benefits foreever more. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, and tell your family. Then try hypermiling.

Our childrens' children will thank you.

I highly recommend The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems by Van Jones