There are many ways to conserve fuel. Conserving fuel or gasoline is important regardless of whether you are a millionaire, or a pauper. It is good for natural resources as well as the environment.
It isn’t what I consider possible to apply many techniques in all situations.
Some of the things I have read which I mention are not listed in order of importance, but I do feel it is as important to list the ones that cause the least inconvenience, or just some that I have actually tested myself.
The one that I put first for anyone traveling more than a couple miles on open road is to use the cruise control if your vehicle is so equipped. I found that on a 20 mile commute, I gained almost 10% more mileage per gallon. This is really not an inconvenience and it just might prevent a speeding ticket. I also find that by using the cruise control, I maintain a more even speed and arrive there at the same time or quicker than if I control the speed of the vehicle. Obviously there are many times when it just isn’t possible to use it. I try when possible because it really causes no inconvenience whatsoever if traffic permits.
Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. This also saves wear on the tires so it saves more than just fuel.
Rapid acceleration is or should be a given in that I think we all know rapid acceleration uses more fuel.
With the cost of repairs I think many of us would save if we keep the automobile tuned properly. I tend to run a car without new sparkplugs or tune ups at recommended times because they are expensive. I don’t know that it really would save money, even if it did save a few drops of gasoline.
I can’t help but feel that there should be some savings to the consumer monetarily as well as saving fuel. I haven’t experienced an automobile that got enough more mileage by getting a tune up that ever paid for the tune up as long as the engine was running smoothly.
I do believe the air filter should be one item that is changed frequently as this has a very negative affect on mileage if it is partially clogged.
The majority of the wear on an engine occurs when the automobile is started. This is less if the engine is warm, but the recommendation I saw was to shut the engine off if stopped for more than 30 seconds. It might save fuel. It will also put much wear and tear on the starter and all moving parts in the engine. My belief is that this would end up costing the consumer far more than the few drops of gasoline it takes to let the engine idle.
Running headlights and accessories uses fuel, but we pass laws to run them if the wipers are in operation. There are many times in very light rain or drizzle when visibility is fine, and it would save energy to have the headlights off. For safety reasons I don’t recommend driving without them anytime there is low visibility of any kind, but it does take extra fuel.
Naturally car pooling and things of this nature save energy.
I do think many people feel that something like a car pool that is or can be somewhat inconvenient has a negative affect on the way they live. The inconvenience can be mild, but many people aren’t ready because they won’t tolerate this. It is probably the best overall way to save energy. Many of us will but for a great many others, it just isn’t an option.
Public transportation will save. This public transportation is not available to everyone in all situations. The more rural the area in which we live, the greater the chance that this isn’t an option.
Removing roof racks and reducing drag is a very good way to save. It seems like a good idea not to carry a lot of junk in the automobile, but I am not sure how much people actually haul around in their cars that is heavy enough to have much of an affect on mileage.
The time people drive can mean more stop and go traffic increasing fuel consumption. Some of us can alter the time we go to work, shop, or run errands and avoid some of the peak traffic hours.
Combining trips is a great way to save. If you know you have an appointment, then pick up needed items in the same trip, avoiding a special trip at a later time.
I believe we all watch for sales on gasoline. I have read that mileage varies with the discount gasoline compared to the name brands. I have not experienced this.
If possible using cruise control, combining trips, removing racks and items that cause wind resistance if not in use, and keeping tires inflated seem to be some of the best ways to reduce energy consumption because they cost nothing in other areas and are the least inconvenient.
I don’t see people doing anything that is very inconvenient until it is so expensive to drive, that we just can’t afford it. If a person is well-to-do they can take a trip by plane, train, or a cruise. For lower and middle income people that love their cars and most of us do, that short drive, needed or not is quite often enjoyable. It is what we can afford for recreation.
We all should save energy. Many would say that extreme limits on our driving is a serious loss to our quality of life.
For now I believe we should save where we can, even if we suffer moderate inconveniences, but it doesn’t appear to me that the American public is ready to make major concessions to save pennies at the pump. Major being the key word.
What are you doing to save fuel and gasoline?