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Drive For Less!

By: Larry D. Barr

It almost seems counter-intuitive, as fuel prices rise, that we can actually spend less money on our daily transportation. But we can, merely by the observance of a few guidelines and with the expenditure of very little, if any, additional money. Let's take a quick look and find out how to save some of our hard-earned dollars.

First off, always keep your engine in a good state of tune and make sure that the vehicle is in good mechanical condition. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for tune-up and oil change intervals. Use a good quality oil which meets the manufacturer's specification and ensure that the air, oil and fuel filters are clean.

Synthetic oil means less friction, resulting in higher fuel mileage. However, be aware that a new engine should never be “broken in” on synthetic oil because the rings may not seat well. Also, older engines may tend to burn oil if converted to synthetic late in life, due to the increased clearances in high mileage engines. If you're considering converting to a synthetic oil, you might want to consult with a competent mechanic before you make the change.

That pretty much covers what can be done to the car. Next we'll talk about changes that you can make in your driving habits – your driving style, if you prefer – that will save you money on the road. Oh, by the way, you can forget about all the crazy mail order gadgets that are supposed to give you better fuel mileage. You know, the magnets for the fuel line, spatial ionizers and stuff like that. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Now, let's talk about your driving habits. Are you costing yourself money by the way you drive? Let's find out.

You've heard, I'm sure, the saying “Moderation in all things.” It applies to driving too. A moderate driving style is the easiest way to save money on your transportation costs. Eliminate those 'jackrabbit' starts. You don't have to be first away from the light. Just accelerate smoothly to your desired speed. You'll use less fuel and put less strain and wear on the drivetrain of your vehicle.

Learn to anticipate stops. Don't come racing up to a stop under power and then slam on the brakes. Back out of the throttle before you get to the stop and let engine compression slow your vehicle gradually. You'll save gas and brakes both.

Now let's talk about speed for a minute. The “air resistance horsepower”, the power required to push the air out of the way, varies as the cube of your speed. Simply put, that means that doubling your speed requires eight times the horsepower to overcome the air resistance. So, leave a little earlier, drive a little slower, arrive a bit more relaxed and save some money. But, please, don't drive so slowly as to become a traffic hazard just to save a few bucks.

Remember to keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure. Under-inflated tires have a higher rolling resistance, requiring more horsepower and more fuel, to keep the car moving down the road. Properly inflated tires save fuel, wear less and last longer.

Plan your trips. Rather than bouncing all over town when you have a day's worth of errands, take the time to plan your route so that you minimize your mileage. You'll save both fuel and time.

In closing, a couple of money-saving tips for cold weather driving. Don't go out in the morning and let your car idle for an extended period to “warm up.” It's a waste of fuel, because it takes the engine much longer to come to operating temperature idling as opposed to under load. If you really have to leave the house in a warm car, install an electric block heater and have a timer turn it on about an hour before you have to leave for work. You'll save a lot of money over idling your car in the driveway on a cold morning.

If you follow these guidelines, you'll see an immediate saving in fuel costs, and a long-term saving in maintenance costs for your car.

Renewable & Alternative Energy Resources: http://www.alternativeenergybase.com

Larry D. Barr is the owner of Rebel Wolf Energy Systems in North Central Texas. An amateur radio operator (K5WLF), he has been active in the renewable energy movement since the 70s, during which he lived off-grid for almost two years. For design or consulting services on RE systems, or for custom fabrication of portable or mobile RE systems, visit www.rebelwolf.com/ or email ldb@rebelwolf.com.


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