How can you save on gas?

Question

It's hard to save on gas where I live just because I have to drive to work. I work a little over 7 miles away 4 days a week. I can't carpool cause nobody else I work with comes from my way. I have ridden my bike, but that takes a while, and it's not that realistic to do everyday, I'd get sweaty, it could rain, I sometimes have to get somewhere right after work.

I have a small car, so it is good on gas. I just wonder what people are going to do as gas prices increase? Will you just cut back on spending in other areas? Do you think prices will ever go back down?

Answer 1

A price drop in the near future is unlikely. Unless the dollar gets stronger and OPEC loosens up, just get used to the $4 gas. But there is a trick I've learned that saves me some gas. On the roads that I need to travel, I drive exactly the speed limit and pretty much just keep feather pressure on the throttle to maintain my speed and have it drop ever so slowly. Should save you a few bucks every week.

Answer 2

Do what i did, i bought a motor scooter/bike. it gets 125 mpg. Or if you want to avoid gas all together check out electric bikes. i know there is one at walmart for 350$. it should pay for itself the first couple times.

Answer 3

buy yourself a bike!

Answer 4

-don't tailgate

-don't speed

-don't run up to a red light then stop

-don't burst forward after the light turns green

Answer 5

my radio station gives 100 dollars of gas every 3rd person  that calls.

I always call!

:D

Answer 6

Prices may go back down but not by much.  And that is only relevant as to how high it gets.  As far as solutions you named some good ones in your question.

Answer 7

You are already doing a great job.  I drive for a living so it is harder for me.

Answer 8

Drive at or a bit below the speed limit, turn off the car if you're in a jam, roll down the windows instead of using the A/C, etc.

Answer 9

Hybrids =)

Answer 10

1. Prices will fluctuate, but never go back down to a level they were 1, 3, or 5 years ago. They will, however, continue to go up.

2. You need your car for work. Nothing you can do about it. You just need to be careful to drive to the speedlimit, not over rev your car, shift early if its a manual or dont use full throttle if its auto.

3. To compensate for the high fuel prices, we are going out less, eating takeaway less and shopping in Aldi or IGA insted of Coles as they are cheaper, We also only buy meat when it is on special, and look for specials when we shop.

Answer 11

There are few thing you can do to save (or maximize) gas MPG. First get a tune-up.

(1) spark plugs

(2) spark plug wires

(3) distributors, coil, rotors (if you have them).

(4) new air filter

(5) PCV

(6) correct tire pressure

(7) clear the trunk of useless heavy items

(8) spray clean MAF sensor.

===

Forget all those "SAVE GAS" scams.  This was on NBC morning TV show.   The difference is as much as 38% (their claim).  There are very simple rules to save gas:

(1) drive slow - not too much past 55

(2) accelerate slowly

(3) don't brake unnecessarily

(4) use cruise control - whenever it is safe to do so.

Don't coast - it is NOT safe and it does NOT save gas.

The above really works. Using those simple rules I was able to drive from Boston to NYC (210.5 miles) on just 5.112 gallon (94 Civic).  That's 41 MPG (94 Civic 187K miles).  Actually I was speeding at 72 MPH so I could do even better at 55.

WOW !!

Good Luck...

Answer 12

i have slowed down from driving 70-80 mph to  45-55 mph, scheduled my grocery trips to coincide with coming home from work..... eliminated single destination trips as much as possible....

seriously considering carpooling......emptied out all extra junk from car to reduce weight......

so far my gas consumption has reduced by about 20% ..... mostly from the driving slower, no more rabbit starts and being content to accellerate at about the same rate as a big rig.... (low but steady)

Answer 13

Switch to vegetable oil. That way you can pick up spare oil from local fast food places.  In most cases it's free. =]

Converting takes a lot of money and patience though.

I'd say carpool but you clarified it as not being an option.

Good Luck.