ALT-13 What you can do to Save Money on Gas
Cutting your gas consumption is crucial in an era of expensive and dwindling supplies of fossil fuels. Here are some ways to save the bank and the world:
1. CarpoolCarpooling is energy, money, and time saving. Get together with coworkers and arrange a way to switch off driving. This will likely allow you to ride in the carpool lane, and will have you pay for only a fraction of the gas.
2. Choose your route carefullyAlmost every vehicle is more fuel efficient at highway speeds. Try to stay on the fastest moving roads, and remember, a highway doesn't count as the fastest moving road if it's always blocked up with traffic or if it has a toll every half mile.
3. Shift when you canFor people with both standards and automatics, shifting into neutral can save a lot on gas. When you hit stand-still traffic, when you're coasting down a hill, when you're gradually slowing to a stop, or when you're at a long stop light, it makes sense to shift into neutral. This cuts down on gas usage, but be sure that doing this is safe: especially for people with automatics who are not used to shifting while driving, shifting into the wrong gear or trying to accelerate while in neutral can place yourself, your car, and others in the way of danger.
4. Accelerate and brake with brainsUnder almost no circumstances do you have to fully depress the gas pedal when accelerating from a stop. Doing so wastes gas. Similarly, if you're going to stop soon, coast to a slower speed instead of always having your foot on either the gas or the brake. Another helpful tip: don't speed unless you absolutely need to.
6. Consider MPGNext time you're ready to buy or lease a car, consider a fuel efficient car or a hybrid. Generally speaking, the bulkier the car, the worse the gas mileage, and the worse the gas mileage the more you'll pay. Also consider if you'd be willing to do without AC, a huge gas drain.
Remember, every bit helps.
