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Save Gas, Save Money

By: Jake | May 19, 2008 | Category: Money

fuel pumpNext Monday is Memorial Day so many of you will be traveling this weekend. Some will travel by train and plane, but most of you will hit the highway.

If you haven't been living in a secluded area that does not require fuel to live (say a well lit cave), you know that gasoline prices have gone up a lot. It's literally gotten to the point where service stations have to replace old gas meters because they were not built to charge more than a certain amount a gallon.

Let's accept the fact that there is not much you (or we here at Gov Gab) can do to get cheap gas besides researching which station sells the cheapest gas in any location. Once you have paid for your gas, however, there are things you can do to improve your gas mileage and there are things that people say to do (myths) that won't make a difference.

Premium fuel (unless your car requires premium), fuel additives, buying gas in the morning, and changing your air filter generally do not improve your car's fuel use. That information comes from a CNN article where Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com tested six common gas myths. The article did find that inflating your tires and using your air conditioner properly would conserve fuel, but make sure you read the article to see how to do it properly.

There are other effective ways to save fuel that were not mentioned in the article. The Federal Trade Commission offers some tips and Fueleconomy.gov suggests you keep your car tuned up, plan and combine trips and most importantly watch your driving habits. If you really wanted to save money on gas, you could buy or trade in for a more fuel efficient car.

Alright, I've been as thorough as possible but I don't think I've covered every way to save gas. Tell me what you do to conserve gas.

| Comments [9] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: economy   fuel   gas   gasoline  

Comments:

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I do all my running in one day. I plan out my stops, going from one destination to the next, in a cirular manner, the last stop being home.

Posted by Sherilyn K. Miller on May 19, 2008 at 01:41 PM EDT #

I can't wait for the Chevy Volt to come out, it can go 40 miles without a drop of gas. I plan on getting some solar panels to charge it to boot. My current vehicle, a Jeep Liberty, isn't too bad on gas, but it is still costing me way too much these days.

Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on May 19, 2008 at 02:20 PM EDT #

You may always want to check out the drivesmarterchallenge.org website. It allows you to see how to maximize your fuel economy, based on the specific make, model, and year of your car. Check it out!

Posted by MissMe on May 19, 2008 at 04:00 PM EDT #

I don't understand this huge rate increase every week. Do you have any idea how much you are hurting people? You make us dependant on oil and then raise it so fast that we struggle every day. Wages are staying the same and yet every resource we are dependant on is becoming too expensive to afford. Don't get me wrong I am all for saving the enviornment (if thats what its really about) but give us time to adjust. I don't think we are in an oil "CRISIS" considering the profits that are being made. We aren't all millionaires and I would love to sell my car for a hybrid, but I cannot afford it thanks to everything you have given us to bare everyday.

Posted by Gina on May 19, 2008 at 08:18 PM EDT #

Hey everyone,

Thanks for chiming in. Gina, here is a page with resources that explain why gasoline is so high:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/FAQ.shtml#High

I didn't see too many other ways to save gas in your link missme, but thanks for posting it.

That's pretty interesting about the Volt, Citizen J. A friend of mine who has a hybrid says that she gets great gas mileage up to 60 mpg, depending on her driving habits. Yesterday I bought a new Toyota Matrix. It gets about 32 on the highway, but I don't drive much and take public transportation. The hybrids were a bit out of my price range but it'll be interesting to see how this gas cruch propels that market.

Posted by Jake on May 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM EDT #

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GAS PRICES ARE AS HIGH AS THEY ARE CONSIDERING THE OIL COMPANIES ARE HAVING SUCH HUGE AND I DO MEAN HUGE RECORD PROFITS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STEP IN AND MAKE THEM ADJUST THE PRICES OF GAS SO THAT THOSE OF US WHO ARE SINGLE WORKING PARENTS WITH OUT HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR ANYBODY ELSE COULD AFFORD TO LIVE WITHOUT HAVING TO SKIP DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS OR DOING WITHOUT OTHER MAJOR NEEDS. OUR CHILDREN WOULDN'T HAVE TO GO WITHOUT THINGS THEY NEED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STEP UP AND MAKE THE OIL COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR ROBBING THE AMERICAN CITIZENS. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO GIVE BACK THOSE HUGE PROFITS OR HAVE TO PAY 90% TAXES AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL WHEN THEY HAVE TO TELL THEIR CHILD THEY CAN'T HAVE FOOD OR CLOTHES THEY NEED.

Posted by RICHIE on May 22, 2008 at 11:46 AM EDT #

A couple of you have asked why the prices are going up. I'm going to look into that for my post next week. You may have seen that Congress was meeting with oil company execs this week:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/05/21/ST2008052102614.html?sid=ST2008052102614

Posted by Jake on May 22, 2008 at 12:11 PM EDT #

I'm afraid that if this fuel fiasco continues this will be the one event that will ultimately bring this country to its knees. we have no definite answer as to why. To me, it has to do with greed. why are these "oil giants" so excited? wouldn't you be knowing that your company just make another record-profit in the tune of 3billion plus dollars? I would!
We have already seen the results that greed played (it might have been alot of stupidity too) in with our housing market and the lives that this has and continues to crush! We will stand and watch,helplessly, as the prices of EVERYTHING, consumer related,
increase to new heights.
reminds me of a newly born antelope being mauled and ultimately
devoured by the predator as the mother stands by as witness to the fate of her young. A bit too graphic? sorry but watch what happens if this continues.

Posted by DOC on May 23, 2008 at 04:27 PM EDT #

Just a reminder for you all. In Norway gasolin cost about 10 dollar pr gallon. And this is in a country with lots of oil. in the us you have to import oil, so think about it you are the lucky ones.

Have a nice day and drive safe!!!

Posted by Motad on May 30, 2008 at 06:09 PM EDT #

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