Gas-saving tips for DU drivers.

[cliss]

To quote Hugo Chavez, "The days of cheap oil are over". Peak Oil has arrived on the horizon. We need to adjust to the new order, which means escalating gas prices. There's going to be some turbulence in car prices. Prediction: Hummers & SUV's are going to go down in price. GM is already teetering on the brink of bankruptcy; this may push it over the edge.

Gas conservation will be the new buzz-word. Here are some tips for saving that precious Black Gold. Also add tips on what works for you.

1) Start carpooling to work. If you don't know anybody who drives the same distance, see if your office can organize a car pool. There may be a web site which organizes this. Tri-Met in Portland has this feature. If kids need to go to sports, make arrangements to share driving.

2)Drive less. On the weekends, try taking one day off from driving. When driving on errands, try to combine trips so that they are all done in the same loop. Don't make special trips for just one errand if it can be helped.

3) Get rid of your SUV/Hummer and buy a smaller car. It's probably a good idea to do this quickly, in particular if you have a gas hog. The selling price will go down as gas prices go up. Consumer reports keep track of which cars are the most gas-efficient; you can pick up a magazine at the local library.

4) Buy regular gas. I've read there's really not much difference in the grades. You may need to add some kind of additive if your car runs less than perfect, but the savings will add up.

5) Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Tires with low air use more gas; they're dangerous because it's harder to steer; can cause problems with braking.

6) Don't speed. Accelerate slowly, don't stomp on the brakes. Be more consistent about driving speeds. Highway driving typically uses less gas/mile than stop & go city driving.

7) Buy a locking gas cap. As the price of gas goes through the roof, expect little Pilferers to come in the night, sucking out your $50.00 tank fill-up from the day before.

8) Lighten up your car. Don't drive around with 100-pound cement blocks in the trunk, even if your husband owns a cement company. Get rid of all extra stuff. Your lighter car will use less gas.

9) Consider cost/benefit analysis to driving. If you need to drive 10 miles to buy some groceries which are on sale, be sure you add in the cost of gas to buy them. It won't pay to save 50 cents on that Iceberg lettuce.

10) Take public transportation. Public transportation is usually supported by tax dollars. Take advantage of the best way to save on gas. Unfortunately, many communties are still without this option, but maybe it will become more affordable as gas goes up.

11) Consider taking the train or flying instead of driving this summer. If you must drive, consider not driving to California to visit aunt Millie which will now cost much more. Plan vacations closer to home.

12) Hoard gas. Just kidding. I think this is illegal. Is it?

13) Start your own oil well. (just kidding!) I think that as the price of oil goes up, suddenly some dried-up old holes in Texas might become profitable again. Also, alternative fuels will become feasible, now that gas is at $3.59 in Big Sur.

14) Any other strategies? I've read that people have actually poured a quart of Wesson oil in their tanks and they drove off just fine. I'm not at that point yet.

[InvisibleTouch]

1. Has anyone here actually converted their car...

...to run on vegetable oil? I hear it's do-able, and not all that complicated, but I know zilch about the mechanics of automobiles. Is there a service that will do this for your car? Does it only work for diesel vehicles? Anyone have any personal experience?

[ButterflyBlood]

3. possible, but it costs about $5 grand

it'd take years for the savings to be worth it.

[InvisibleTouch]

6. Only worthwhile if you come into an unexpected windfall, then.

I should play the lottery again....

[thoughtanarchist]

10. It can be a lot cheaper than that...

unless you have a really really expensive mechanic to the install work...

Greasel conversion kit -- "Ready-to-install kit that will allow you to run any diesel on waste vegetable oil. The key to running a diesel on vegetable oil is heat. This is done by a special tank and fuel line, heated with the hot coolant your engine is already producing." Any diesel? Maybe -- see provisos above. See also The TDI-SVO controversy. From $365.
http://www.greasel.com

snippet from:

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html

[physioex]

2. Pretty much sums it up..

And it's mostly common sense. For those you like me who must have a car, consider making your next purchase an economy four cylinder. Although this might be controversial, I would not buy a hybrid vechicle now. I think there is too much up front costs and potential high maintenance costs down the road.

[ikojo]

4. Get a bike and bike to as many places

as you can. Most trips are a short distance that can be easily biked. Not only will you not use gas but you'll also be exercising. I use a bike to go to the store. I put my groceries in a back pack. This limits spur of the moment purchases of stuff I really don't need to put in my body as well.

[DS1]

5. There's a difference in fuel grades for some engines

but not your typical family sedan.

[gmoney]

7. Get a thermostat with a timer for the house

Not strictly saving gas, but putting a timer on my home thermostat has kept my utility costs fairly low... during the winter, I set it to warm up a little when I get up, then set it to 60 or so during the day and into the evening when I get home, warm it up a bit for the evening, then cool down somewhat overnight. Reverse that in the summer. I try to turn it off entirely during the fall and spring.

That, and letting idiots in SUVs who tailgate actually PUSH your car down the road while you coast in neutral... just kidding.

[physioex]

8. LMAO....

That's called drafting. And although I have never done this, some of friends in their youthful indiscretions rode their motorcyles behind 18 wheelers for several miles with absolutely no throttle on a rural highway.......

But I would NEVER reccomend doing this as it is VERY DANGEROUS.....

[Abelman]

9. Diesel

is a good way to go as well, particularly if you live in an area where bioDiesel is available. There are still downsides to this, but typically the mileage is better on Diesel cars - particularly the VW TDIs.

I have been looking at cars, and some Toyotas are very good with mileage, especially the Corollas. About 38mpg, and that's a regular old fashioned engine.

It makes it harder for folks who need family vehicles, but there are a few larger cars with good gas mileage.

[radwriter0555]

11. get rid of the bush regime and the PNAC and oil prices will go down. There

is NO oil shortage. There is no peak oil.

Install price caps on gas and oil and federally regulate its pricing.