Surviving High Gas Prices

The cost of gasoline has been at the highest it has ever been, and although we had a temporary break, the prices are going up again and the oil companies are just getting us primed, little by little, for the next price increase. You can expect to see the cost of gas increasing to $5 or more per gallon. If you think for a moment that the oil companies are intending to lower the prices because of the newly elected President, think again. If you believe that, you are living in a pipe dream. The oil companies have no intention of losing
their bottom line of 50 billion dollars in crude oil profit.

There is no sight on the horizon that the gas prices will reach a plateau and level out or again decrease. As the
consumption of crude oil continues to rise, so will our prices at the gas pump continue to increase. As long as people continue to live their lives with the attitude of "business as usual" and "bigger is better" the foreign oil interests will continue to gouge our gas pricess and the planet will continue to decline to the point of extinction.

With the increase of gas prices and the increase of CO2 emissions, diving a car has fast become a very expensive commodity. In our society, driving a car has become as much of a necessity in our minds, as having a right arm. In fact most people in our society and culture couldn't phathom the thought of not owning a car much less not drivng one. The day isn't too far down the road; however, when not owning a car may become the reality rather than a far off thought. So how do we survive the high gas prices?

The first step is to ....

Become an Efficient Driver

The gas mileage that you are currently seeing with the use of your vehicle can be greatly improved by simply becoming a more efficient driver. By activly following these simple tips. and improving your driving skills will go a long way to surviving high gas prices and getting better fuel economy  with your car.

Tips to Getting the Best Gas Mileage

1. Don't Allow the Car to Idle

Allowing the car to idle for ONLY 10 SECONDS uses more gas than turning the car off and then turning it back on again. Even when it is a cold northeast winter, make every attempt to never leave the car idling for better fuel efficiency.

2. Avoid Aggressive Driving

When you are continuously accelerating, slamming on the brakes, then accelerating again you are wasting anywhere from 5% to 35% of your fuel, depending on how often you are driving this way. Even though it may seem like fun, using jackrabbit starts with sudden stops is not only a huge waste of gas, it also throws 5 times more toxic emissions into the air. Don't be a weaver. Keep your wheels straight and drive keeping an even, steady pace of 55 MPH instead of 65 MPH. This will save you 20% in fuel usage.

3. Get Rid of the Huge Gas Guzzler Vehicle

Bigger is no longer better, nor will it ever be again as long as we are relying on fossil fuel for our cars. A heavier car just uses more gas and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that one. With just 100 extra pounds of weight you are burning 2% more fuel. Unless you are a resident of Iraq  orr Arabia, you shouldn't be driving to work in a Hummer. In fact even if you are, you souldn't be driving a Hummer. You shouldn't even be sitting in one admiring it.

4. Get the Crap Out of the Car

Extra weight is not only in the size of the vehicle. Carrying an excessive amount of weight in the trunk and back seat of the car, or in the back of a pickup truck will also use more gas. By doing the simple chore of cleaning out the junk from the trunk and the inside of the car will lessen the weight and give you much more efficient gas mileage.

5. Preventive Car Maintenance

Just the every day wear and tear of your car can also prevent your car from getting the gas mileage that it should be getting. Getting regular tune-ups and remembering to get oil changes every 2,000 to 5,000 miles (depending on the year and make of your vehicle) can greatly improve on your gas mileage. A simple tune-up can improve the efficiency of your vehicle up to 50%. If you can't remember to check you oil on a regular basis, then check your oil evry time to put gas in the car. Your car will run more efficiently and you won't risk blowing up your engine.

Tires are a part of preventive maintenance. Keeping your tires inflated to the correct pressure will save you a full tank of gas a year. Check the tires once a month using the same tire gauge, as the average tire will lose one pound of pressure per square inch every month, and under inflated tires wear out quicker and don't roll as efficiently.

Air filters are something that can easily be changed at home in your own garage and have a big effect on the fuel efficiency of your car. Check them every few onths and change when needed.

6. Best Time of Day to Fill-up the Gas

Fill the gas tank early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler. Cooler temperatures mean less gas vapor. With less vapor the gas is less volitle and will not evaporte as quickly, meaning more fuel and less emmissions into the environment. Once the gas tank is full, don't top it off. More gas usually spills than makes it into the tank.

7. Save Gas with Vehicle Aerodynamics

The aerodynamics of your vehicle effects your gas mileage. Keep boxes and racks off of the top of the car. If it is time to buy a more efficient vehicle then look for one that has a more aerodynamic appearance. Go for a style the is a lower ride with rounded curves rather than a taller, boxier style.

8. Windows Up or Down?

During the summer months there are ways to save gas that have concern your windows. The rule of thought is that the air conditioner uses more full. In some cases this is true, but not in all cases.

While driving around town in stop and go traffic, keep the air conditioner turned off and the windows down. While driving at a higher, but constant, steady speed on the freeway, keep the windows up and the air conditioning on. Having the windows down on the freeway creates drag on the vehicle which makes the car work harder and burns more gas.

9. Convert Your Diesel Fuel Vehicle

If you bought a diesel fuel car when the price of diesel was less than regular gas, now is the time to buy a fuel conversion kit and turn that car into a frybred. Make friends with someone at a local restaurant who will give your the vegteble oil that they usually pay to dispose of and run your diesel car for free.

Check out www.Fillup4Free.com for more information.