ECONOMICAL DRIVING:

A dollar and five cents per gallon! That about what regular unleaded gas cost in Honolulu, Hawaii when I started driving. The prices never budged much, if at all, for at least 5 years. I remember those days when we never thought twice about gas prices and economical driving. I commuted at least 70 miles per day from home, to my university, to work, and back home five days a week. I drove a nice Honda Civic that filled up with my hard-earned $15.00 (that was at least 2 hours of work). With my long commute, driving up to 75mph, and bobbing and weaving through traffic half the time, my full tank lasted me 7-9 days. Those were the good ol' days. Who'd have thought we'd be where we are now?

With gas prices reaching $5.00 per gallon I'm sure many of us are trying to be more economical and efficient with our driving. I find myself being more conscious about being more light-footed on the gas pedal. Or even, trying "roll" with the momentum as much as possible without pushing on the gas pedal. Really, I can't help but be cheap nowadays. A gallon of gas cost almost half an average person's hourly pay. And many still think earning $12.00 an hour is pretty good. Don't you wish we'd get raises as quick as gas prices have been going up?

My family and I love to take leisure drives. From our frequent cruises on the Las Vegas strip, driving around town, checking out new places, to our occasional road trips out of state. Going on these little field trips have become quite a luxury. It's something we have a hard time giving up. We've skimped and sacrificed on other things just for the sake of extra gas money. We try to be cheap with food, clothes, and partying. What have you given up because of high gas prices?

Well, there's only so much that I can sacrifice, and not so many things that I am willing to skimp on. So, I figured I need to find ways to be more "gas efficient." Here's what I've found:

1) Sensible driving- It's safer for you and everyone else. In the meanwhile, you're saving gas. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking) can lower your gas mileage up to 33%.

2) The optimal range of fuel economy is from 45mph to 60mph. Fuel economy drops majorly at speeds under 25mph and above 60mph.

3) Try to avoid keeping unnecessary heavy items in your car. An extra 100 pounds could reduce your gas mileage by 2%.

4) Avoid excessive idling. You're going 0mph just sitting and burning gas.

5) Maintain your vehicle

a. keep your engine properly tuned.

b. check/replace air filters regularly.

c. keep tires properly inflated (you should be able to find this information on the inside of the vehicle's door panel/frame).

6) Avoid driving in traffic or during rush hour.

7) Use your cruise control and overdrive if possible/available. Please visit the following sites for additional tips and details:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106842/article.html