Gas Savings Ideas

AutoTchr · #1 05-02-2006, 10:39 AM

Lets put our collective thoughts together and save some gas: I just filled up and it was 45 bucks.

I will start:

1. Drive like your on holiday, it saves brakes, gas and transmissions. I can honestly say that the majority of the time I accelerate slower than the person next to me from stop light to stop light. Many people accelerate way too fast and it doesn't save them any time!!!! (there are social reasons behind this I think.)

2. Keep tires inflated, air is free, gas is not. This saves your tires also.

3. Where my wife and I go wrong: Daily trips to the supermarket. Plan ahead and make one trip a week. Save money on groceries and gas.

4. And finally Solve your obesity problem and ride a bike and save gas! I race bicycles and I don't commute on one. I am as guilty as anyone else here. ( I live 5 minutes by car to work) And yes I know ALL the excuses. I worked with a teacher that commuted EVERY DAY 30 miles total. He was fit. He did not stink at work. He towled off, used deodorant and kept clean clothes at work. Not once did I notice any stink and I ate lunch with him every day. I can change a flat in less than 3 minutes. You can too with some practice.

Other thoughts?

SVX-FF · #2 05-02-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoTchr

2. Keep tires inflated, air is free, gas is not. This saves your tires also.

Were are you getting free air. It cost me 50cents to use there pump

We walk to the grocery store if we only need a few things.

Steve

Speedklix · #3 05-02-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

Were are you getting free air. It cost me 50cents to use there pump

My beast of a compressor that occupies the corner of my garage

But really, many gas stations will give you free air if you gas up there. They ussually have an override button for the compressor outside. Look around for signs, they are not always obvious. Keep your own gauge in the car though, not many of those pumps are accurate.

A tremendous amount of gasoline is lost due to vapor as well in this country. Replace your cap if it is old, and make sure the plastic shield is over the neck of your filler while pumping. Gas filling the tank pushes the vapor out. Or fill up close to empty everytime. I have a gas station not far from my house, so I fill up when the car is cold and the sun has not been heating the place. Gas is denser at cooler temps, and the pump charges you based on volume not density.

madj80 · #4 05-02-2006, 05:01 PM

..........

madj80 · #5 05-02-2006, 05:02 PM

We don't have enough oxygen here to ride to work everyday.

I'm all for more motorcycles.

AutoTchr · #6 05-02-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madj80

We don't have enough oxygen here to ride to work everyday.

Hmm, never heard that excuse before!

LOL

Still I call B.S. on that one

I have ridden at 10,000 ft in Colorado. Not as easy as Oregon but it can be done.

BTW- I like the badge next to your name

michael · #7 05-02-2006, 07:33 PM

I converted my VW rabbit to a diesel so I can burn waste vegetable oil. Ultimate fuel saver! No interior, A/C or power steering, the thing is so light I can lift the rear end off the ground.

US to CDN SVX · #8 05-02-2006, 10:59 PM

I have noticed people driving the speed limit more and more the higher it goes up

Landshark · #9 05-02-2006, 10:57 AM

*only put in half a tank at fill up: less weight = better gas mileage.
*new air filter

i play a game using the MPG display - on the way to work i try to get the best MPG i can. on the way home at midnight with few cars on the road, however, it gets thrown into Sport Mode and its full turbo boost time!

you gotta live a little.

dcarrb · #10 05-02-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoTchr

Many people accelerate way too fast and it doesn't save them any time!!!! (there are social reasons behind this I think.)

I'll second that. Matting the gas at every red light is just plain foolish.

Let's face it: There's no better way to save on gas than to drive less. Double-up on errands, shop when in town rather than making a special trip, don't pass 5 supermarkets on the way to save 10¢ on hamburger at Wal-Mart... sensible things we all can do. Fuel will remain expensive so long as demand is high and reserves are tight, and I'm afraid I just don't see people using less. We all piss and moan about the price, but how many of us are truly willing to reduce consumption?

dcb

huck369 · #11 05-02-2006, 01:15 PM

Buy a small motorcycle....
My Moto Guzzi Breva 750 gets 55mpg...and my wifes Interceptor 250 gets 70 mpg.....I ride every day it's not raining....

AutoTchr · #12 05-02-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I'll second that. Matting the gas at every red light is just plain foolish.

dcb

I was talking to another staff member at lunch today. The phrase they used was ESTU. Extra Sense of Time Urgancy. It makes people rush even though there is no reason to rush. If your aware of it it is easy to control.

AutoTchr · #13 05-02-2006, 01:46 PM

oops that was exagerated sense of time urgancy. Sorry I was in a hurry.

NikFu S. · #14 05-02-2006, 02:33 PM

1. Done, except for when jackholes come from behind at mach 1 just to get in front of me.

2. Done

3. I don't go to the grocery store.

4. I'm too skinny to ride a bike 20 miles everyday. Work is too far away. I need to carry very heavy things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoTchr

Other thoughts?

Weight reduction of the car. Get a cruiser bike.

Not much else you can do besides drive less. I average 120 miles per week.

AutoTchr · #15 05-02-2006, 02:48 PM

And you think cycling will make you skinnier? If your skinny it builds muscle. If your fat it burns fat. but if you have to carry heavy items I can understand it.