Gaseous!

I just got back from a little road trip (sorry for the lack of posting) and really noticed the gas price differences along the way. I also paid close attention to the still large number of SUV's on the road that were carrying only one or two people.

As of this morning, the price in Stillwater for a gallon of regular was $3.65. I drive approximately 30 miles/day which works out to just over $74 per month in fuel costs for me and $889 per year. I used the handy calculator on http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/ (click on the title of this post "Gaseous" for a link). This calculator will also help you determine if reducing your driving will really benefit you and our world.

I have made a conscious effort to limit my driving (no extra trips, group shopping and errands in one long trip) and I am also lucky enough to drive an awesome Toyota Echo (sadly, no longer offered int he US) that gets incredible mileage, around 40 MPG!

I often get on my little soapbox about people that drive vehicles for looks rather than practicality and economy. My friends that drive SUVs know my rant by heart. I really believe that just because you have a child, that doesn't warrant a 17 MPG vehicle to compensate for all the extra space that your child allegedly needs. Granted, I don't have children but surely they don't require that you drive a all-wheel drive, 8 cylinder, 9 passenger vehicle that can tow a playground behind it.

Whew! Sorry for that lapse...

Finally, my point for this post: here are some tips for reducing your fuel consumption. Some are obvious, but some just might strike a cord. Enjoy and consider.

10 Ways to Reduce Your Fuel Costs, NOW!

Purchase Fuel Wisely - Save up to 20%
1. Use the Right Grade of Gasoline / Don't Top Off: Most cars run fine on regular. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out what's right for your car. Don't "top off" at the pump and make sure your fuel fill cap is on tight and working right. Regular grade fuel cost about 20-cents per gallon less than premium grade.
2. Look for the Best Price / Limit Purchases When Prices are High: Today's gasoline provides very similar engine performance (although some brands have different gasoline blends that provide other benefits), so choose stations in your area with the lowest prices. Fuel prices can vary 10% within a few blocks. Avoid filling the tank during high-price periods.

Alter Travel Practices - Save up to 30%
3. Use Carpooling / Public Transit / Non-Motorized Options: Ride the bus, carpool, bicycle or walk instead of driving alone. Sharing a ride to work with a friend or two effectively doubles your fuel economy for the trip. (see http://portal.greenride.com/OKstate/home.aspx if you work at OSU)
4. Take Advantage of Telecommuting / Telecommunications Technology: Many employers offer telecommuting as an option. Use the computer and telephone to replace vehicle trips for business, shopping and services when possible.

Drive More Efficiently - Save up to 20%
5. Don't Drive Aggressively / Drive at the Speed Limit: Avoid aggressive driving and aggressive starts. All vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55 mph. Driving 65 instead of 75 mph reduces fuel cost 13%. Driving 55 would save 25%.
6. Reduce Air Conditioner Use / Close Windows: Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost from 13% up to 21%. If it's cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows or using the AC.
7. Eliminate Extra Wind Resistance and Weight: Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption. Carry the load inside your vehicle if you can. Removing unnecessary weight is better still.
8. Minimize Vehicle Idling: Today's vehicles are designed to warm up fast. Avoid idling when you can; idling is 0 miles per gallon.

Improve the Efficiency of the Vehicle You Drive - save up to 50%
9. Maintain Vehicle Efficiency: Regular maintenance as prescribed by the vehicle owner's manual will help your vehicle achieve its best fuel economy. Some overlooked maintenance items, such as a dirty air filter and under-inflated tires, can increase your fuel cost up to 13%. When replacing your tires, replace them with the same make and model as the tires that were on your vehicle when it was new. It's been estimated that if all Californians properly inflated and aligned their tires, we'd save 300 million gallons of gasoline a year!
10. Drive or Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle: Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible. When purchasing, consider the most fuel efficient vehicle and save up to 50%. Consider a hybrid-electric, a diesel vehicle, or even a motorcycle. The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering.