Fuel Crisis: Saving Gas in the USA

As difficult as it is to swallow, America is taking a huge hit at the gas pump. Prices continue to skyrocket and they don't seem to be coming down anytime soon.

I feel for SUV drivers', they seem to take the hardest strike at the gas pump. Those huge tanks can range anywhere from $60 - $110 just to fill up. Smaller sedans don't tend to cost that much, however, $35 or $40.00 a week for gas can get a little touchy anyone driver after awhile.

Saving Gas:

Try combining trips: Instead of going to the dentist Monday, grocery shopping Tuesday, downtown on Wednesday, and the Salon on Thursday. Try combining all of your trips in one day, if possible. At $3.35 a gallon, its time for all of us to get smart at the pump and learn more efficient ways to reduce our fuel budget.

Ignore those emails about gas strikes: Forget about those emails at work that encourage us not to buy gas at Exxon, BP, Mobil or any other station. History has proven that this is an ineffective method at getting the fuel prices we want. Not to mention, commuters aren't cooperating with the idea. Not every commuter is on the same schedule, drives the same distance to work, or has the same number of responsibilities, so how can we convince commuters to cooperate with
a gas strike?

Limit use of the air conditioner: If you live or are visiting on the east coast this summer, you've probably been exposed to some of the nation's hottest temperatures. Thus, requiring the need for air conditioning. If you limit the use of your air conditioner, you can really hit the gas crunch on the head! Driving 75mph with the A/C blasting on "3" or "4" will severely dry out your gas tank. Start being cheap; roll those windows down and absorb some of that heat to reduce the number of gas trips.

Check oil and tires: Dark and much richer oil indicates that an oil change is needed soon, bald and worn tires also indicate that new tires are needed right away. By adding fresh oil and new tires you can save gas by more ways than you think.
When motor oil gets old, and tires get worn out they tend to add more strain on your vehicle. Darker oil requires your vehicle to work much harder to lubricate the engine, thus, causing strain to the pistons and engine components. Worn tires work against your vehicle as well; if there deflated and bald, your vehicle has to work much harder to pull along on the roadways.

Limit weight in your trunk: The more junk in the trunk, the faster the gas evaporates; plain and simple. Take the time to get rid of, Grandma's flip-flops, Uncle Ed's fishing equipment, Mom's sewing machine, Andy's vacuum, TPS reports from work, that melted snickers bar you promised you throw away, cases of water, your high school football equipment, cracked fish tank and the lawnmower from Sears. Get rid of that junk and save some gas!

Car pool: If you happen to live in the same neighborhood with some of your co-workers, if you don't have other responsibilities to attend to on a different schedule, try car-pooling. Car-pooling can save you a bundle on a gas! If you all take turns nominating a driver for the week and everybody puts in their fair share of gas money you will have found an efficient way to beat gas prices.

Avoid hard acceleration: Starting off fast from red lights at full speed is a big contribution into the waste of fuel! Do not do this; you eat up gas enough already by driving as fast as you do. Don't waste more by accelerating with such force.

You don't have to always use the higher grade: In some instances, the higher grade of fuel can be damaging to your car. Not every car requires the use of "high-test." Generally speaking, its usually 15 or 20 cents more than regular, but will probably burn out just as fast as the lower grade pumps. If your manual allows you to get away with the lower grade fuel pumps than use that to your advantage.

One last tip, avoid going to those cheap Mom & Pop fuel pumps, the prices are much cheaper, but the quality of fuel isn't the same. Good luck America.