What to do about rapidly rising gas prices?

Question

I can not afford gas anymore. I put $10 in and it only me 1/3 of a tank; actually a little less. I have done everything to cut down on my gas consumption from limiting my life to about a 5 mile radius from my home. I live in a small city within a bigger city so it works for now. The bus is like $2 one way and you have to climb up this huge hill and stand by an extremely busy known to be accident prone street. Taxi Cabs are ridcolously high at $2.50/per mile plus an added fee for something. I have severely limited my life but I am still always on empty. I go no more than the posted speed limit. I have knee problems so walking any further than 1/4 mile is out for me. I thought about a bicycle but what would that do to my knees and I am a bit out of shape. What tricks do you use to make your gas last? Does driver faster or slower help? I often take the most direct route. Will gas protests help? (I am political.)

Answer 1

This tool will help you find the cheapest gas nearby.

Answer 2

I would say the bike would be your best bet.  Its not that hard on your knees unless you crash, and you will get in better shape pretty quickly.  In the long run I think you will be pretty pleased with the money you save, plus the increased health you will have.  The extra walking and biking should help your knees too.  At least you have access to public transportation.  I live in Alabama and unless you live right in the middle of one of the bigger cities in the state, you are driving everywhere whether you like it or not.  I have no choice whatsoever.

Answer 3

get a smaller more fuel efficient car...

www.gasbuddy.com

Answer 4

Impeach Bush. Lol. Just kidding. Shoot Cheney.

Answer 5

Definitely give that bicycle a try.  Compared to walking or running, riding a bike is low-impact, and if you know how to shift gears correctly, it should not put much stress on your knees.

As far as driving goes, there are several things you can do to save gas, but it will only take you so far:

1 - Combine everything you do into one trip.  Rather than going to the bank one day, then driving to the laundromat another day, and grocery-shopping the day after that, don't drive for 3 days and combine those three chores into 1 trip.

2 - Make sure your tires have the right pressure.  Underinflated tires kill gas mileage.

3 - Clean out any junk in the trunk to save weight.

4 - Change your driving habits--  Don't gun the engine, don't do jack-rabbit starts, coast as far as you can (especially to red lights or stop signs), brake as gradually as you can.

Definitely give that bike a try.

Good luck.

Answer 6

tuning up your car can give you 10% improvement, see the interactive video http://www.asterpix.com/console?avi=7715...

Answer 7

Drive the speed limit and try to avoid stop and go traffic. High speeds suck up gas and the constant stopping and going eats it up too.

Gas prices do suck; but, unfortunately we can't do anything about it. On the positive side your not alone.

Answer 8

We need to start pulling oil out of Colorado.  We have 3 times more oil in Colorado than all OPEC countries combined.  This info is everywhere including 2005 Federal Energy Budget and 70% is on federal government ground.  Oil Shale in Green River Basin.  Shell clams they can extract for $10.00 a barrell. Our problem is just get the permits to do these projects takes 7 years.

Answer 9

Protests will not help. The price rise is driven by global instability, speculation, increased usage by China & India, the Peak Oil phenomena and most of all by the shrinking dollar. Economics will drive it higher still.

Have you considered a scooter ? They are much cheaper than hybrid vehicals and it sounds like you are not going very far.

If we were in Europe I would suggest a small diesel car but they are not easily available in the US and GM scrapped its own electric cars years ago (it worked great). Long term there will be more electric vehicles appearing. Since you can't ride a bicycle, a scooter is the way to go.

Good Luck!

;-)

Answer 10

i think a horse or jackass is the best transportation for you they got all of us wondering when it all will end but brace yourself there will be another 20 cents hike in 2 weeks

Answer 11

OK I say invade Saudi Arabia, start bombing and killing and take it. I mean an all out war start the draft back up, heck I'll join!! Then go over and kick some serious butt!!! Or we could just spend a few billion on science and develop a new fuel one that will take the place of oil and one that will play to our strength's. Yeah the second idea might be cheaper, cleaner, and less deadly. Not as much fun, I will admit but it is a better way to deal with it. In say 4 years we could have it down and in another 4 we could all be using the new fuel. So it's up to America, what do we want?!! And, will we be willing to force the hands of our political leaders? I hope so. =)

Answer 12

It would help to drill for oil in this country again. It would make good paying jobs and would put more oil in the country for both gas and natural gas.