Toyota Yaris Forums - Ultimate Yaris Enthusiast Site
 

 


 
Go Back   Toyota Yaris Forums - Ultimate Yaris Enthusiast Site > Members Area > Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions
  The Tire Rack

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-26-2011, 04:41 PM   #1
fnkngrv
Mr. 155 and climbing
 
fnkngrv's Avatar
 
Drives: Seriously Modded 07 Sedan
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: In The Hotbox
Posts: 4,742
How to save on $4 a gallon gas this summer

Great article today on MSNBC:

Memorial Day is fast approaching, and that means it’s time for millions of Americans to hit the road.

The American Automobile Association estimates that about 35 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend, and the vast majority will do so by car.
Story: 9 great getaways to celebrate Memorial Day

Americans love to drive, but thought of a road trip, or even a commute to work, may not seem so appealing these days, with gas hovering around $4 a gallon in some states. AAA found that 4 in 10 drivers are altering their plans in some way because of high gas prices.

We can’t all just go out and buy a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle, and there are no silver bullets when it comes to saving on gas. Still, experts say there are some ways you can get the most mileage out of the car you have.

Here are some tips.

No junk in the trunk: It’s one thing to toss a few grocery bags and your gym stuff in the back of your car, but quite another to haul around a cooler, a tool chest and a year’s supply of water. An extra 100 pounds can reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That roof rack isn’t going to help your fuel efficiency, either.

Skip the drive-through: If you routinely get a pick-me-up on the way to work, experts recommend that you park your car and walk into the coffee shop instead of waiting in the drive-through line. Chevrolet tested the theory using its Chevy Cruze and found that the person who waited 15 minutes in the drive-through line for a cup of coffee used an extra quarter gallon of gas, adding as much as $1 to the cost of that coffee splurge.
Is it cheaper to fly or to drive?
Advertise | AdChoices

Keep your cool: Yes, we know you’re in a hurry to get home, or to the next stop on your family vacation. Experts say that driving aggressively by accelerating fast, then hitting the brakes, is a drag on fuel economy, especially on the highway. The Department of Energy says driving sensibly can reduce your gas bill by a modest 5 percent around town, but up to 33 percent on the highway.

Use cruise control: Just as aggressive driving can reduce your gas mileage, so can constant fluctuations in your speed. Experts recommend trying to maintain the same speed for maximum efficiency.

Follow the speed limit: Yes, we all have a need for speed sometimes, but driving over 60 miles per hour will cost you. If you are paying $3.96 per gallon, the Department of Energy estimates that every five miles per hour over 60 will cost you 24 cents per gallon in gas.

Plan your driving: Whether it’s bundling a few errands into one or finding the quickest way across the state on vacation, you can save a lot by just planning better. Chevrolet notes that cold engines are less efficient than ones running at operational temperature, so it’s not just the reduction in miles that makes it worthwhile to combine a few trips into one

Shop around: Saving on gas starts at the pump. AAA has a free mobile app, TripTik, that shows you where the nearest gas stations are and what they are charging for gas. That’s one way to make sure you’re getting the most gas for your dollar.

Check the tires: Make sure your tires have the proper pressure. The Department of Energy says proper tire inflation can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 3 percent. You can also get better gas mileage if your car is properly tuned and you use the correct grade of oil.

Don’t drive, or at least share the car you do drive:The guys at Car Talk note that a great way to save on gas is to walk or bike short distances, take public transportation when you can or work at home when possible. If you have to drive, try to carpool.
__________________
Team Tiamat Racing on Facebook


Youtube Channel: Team Tiamat Racing


Class record holder in Land Speed @ 154.5mph for 1.5 mile and 145.5mph in the mile in the F (2.016 to 3.014 L), G (1.524 to 2.015 L), and H (1.016 to 1.523 L) classes.
fnkngrv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2011, 07:07 PM   #2
Klink10
 
Klink10's Avatar
 
Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 910
Posts: 1,229
Thank you for the reminder. Have a happy holiday weekend.
Klink10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Fuel Economy swng Fuel Economy Forum 2089 01-23-2015 06:41 PM
Natural Gas Transportation - Why Not? Kal-El Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions 1 03-20-2011 01:12 PM
I predict gas will be $3(nyc) by summer, national avg $2.80 Yawesh Fuel Economy Forum 103 06-26-2009 03:45 PM
Economics of Price Gouging and Gas shortages GeneW General Yaris / Vitz Discussion 1 10-31-2008 04:20 PM
Free gas for any vehicle. ketel0ne General Yaris / Vitz Discussion 4 09-19-2006 08:07 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:52 PM.




YarisWorld
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.