Hybrids, Less Driving, And Other Fuel-Saving Options

Don’t you just miss the 80’s when gasoline was less than a buck per gallon?  $4 a gallon (or it could be $4.07 to $4.50 or worse, more than $5 line in Canada as some reports say) was an apprehension that has now turned into reality.  Now we look at our heavy but loved SUV and we simply know how much fuel it guzzles compared to our neighbor’s hybrid.  Having two teen agers, a toddler and a baby, you just gotta have a vehicle that is easy on the gas without sacrificing space.  The first thing that comes to mind is a minivan, or much better if you could find a dealer that sell one of those Japanese hybrid minivans.

We could not just continue to whine and whimper about these fuel prices that continue to go through the roof.   It is time for us to revisit the way we use our cars and trading that SUV with one of those hybrid minivans is just not an option as you would surely end up paying more—much more than what you can save in many years on fuel cost.  Besides, hybrid minivans are not yet commercially available in the United States.  

We don’t want to be doomsayers here, but no one seems to be talking about oil prices that are going to roll-back soon.  So instead of dwelling on something that is beyond our direct control (fuel price, or waiting for those hybrid minivans to arrive) we might as well focus on how we improve our vehicle’s gas mileage and improve the way we use our car.

1. Bring your car to a dependable shop  

    * Have a tune-up.  A properly tuned up car increases fuel economy by as much as 4% or about 12 cents a gallon.  Better have those old fuel filter, air filter, and spark plugs changed.  You will be surprised how a clean air filter can make you save around 29 cents per gallon.  Check the electronic control center.  A malfunctioning oxygen sensor could make you lose 40% of your gas efficiency.
    * Check for tire pressure.  Incorrect tire pressure does not only make you buy replacements sooner, it also decreases fuel efficiency.  A finely tuned car as described above may not be as fuel efficient as anyone of those hybrid minivans but you get to save a lot more than you think.

2. Be gentler to your car

    * Remove excess weight in the trunk of our car—they just use up extra gas.
    * No jackrabbit starts and sudden brakes.  Drive smoothly.
    * As much as possible use cruise control
    * Use less air conditioning.  However, when you are on the freeway at a considerable speed, you could save more if the a/c is on than have your engine contend with the drag caused by open windows.

3. Plan your trips

    * Devise a schedule where you can avoid heavy traffic hours.  The stops and starts eat up lots of gasoline (unless you are driving one of those hybrid minivans or cars).
    * Plan your trips to the store, and consolidate your errands.

These tips properly observe plus other common-sense practices aimed at saving fuel could even make you save more as how you would when you have a greater miles per gallon hybrid minivan.  Saving on fuel cost does not end in fuel efficiency and better gas mileage, it also involves how you use (or not use) your car.