by Nanette Piotrowski

Created on: June 29, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2009

I think we have all learned a valuable lesson, as we watched rising gas prices go over $4 per gallon. We know for a fact that it can happen any time and that it impacts every single one of us economically. We suddenly become very aware of what we do and how we do things in our everyday lives. Things that for the most part, were inconsequential or that we took for granted.

It has always been at dire times that we come up with some good old-fashioned ingenuity and thinking, about how we can overcome a disruption of the norm.

Here are some suggestions as to how you can save on your fuel costs.

( 1) Eliminate the 'junk in the trunk'. Keep only the spare tire, jack, jug of water and a small tool kit. You can save anywhere from thirty to fifty pounds of weight that is burning your fuel.

( 2 ) When you go to the gas station, make sure you're getting what you pay for. Fill to ten gallons, stop and multiply that by the price listed. If it is not correct, you're not getting what you're paying for and you need to bring that to the attention of the attendant immediately.

( 3 ) Unless you're driving a Maserati, most cars do not need the 'super' or 'premium' fuel. If you feel you need a higher octane than the Mid-grade, purchase an octane boost instead.

( 4 ) Keep your vehicle in top condition. Make sure to change the spark plugs and get oil changes at their recommended intervals. Your engine will run cleaner and smoother and you will save on fuel consumption.

( 5 ) It is a proven fact that driving speeds of 55-60mph versus 80mph, will save a tremendous amount of fuel and you may have fewer speeding tickets, which saves on out-of-pocket costs and higher insurance premiums.

( 6 ) More fuel is sent to the injectors on fast starts. Your car has a natural idle pull for the correct amount of fuel needed to advance the vehicle. Racing to the next 'red' light will only consume more fuel.

( 7 ) Once a week, carpool, ride the bus, tram or rail and when you do your shopping, make as many of your stops in one day that you can. What you would have done in several trips can be done in one and you will save up to a half-tank of gas.

( 8 ) Your A/C unit is the biggest gas guzzler. When possible, drive with the windows down and use the fan on the unit only.

( 9 ) If you have a pick-up without a lid or stretch tarp, the wind created in the bed of the truck pushes down over the back end, causing drag; which also consumes more of your gasoline. It is worth the investment to purchase a lid or tarp.

Even though the government is mandating the auto industry to make more fuel efficient vehicles, we can still make a difference on the vehicles we already have by using a little common sense on how we drive. We have no control over what the auto makers or the oil industry will do but with a few adjustments on our part, we can save money, and isn't that what it's all about?

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