How To Slash Your Gasoline Consumption By Planning Your Trips Carefully
What's the best way to save gas?
If you ask 10 people this question, each is likely to reply:
"Don't drive"
While this is the optimal way to conserve gas, for most of us, it's not an option. We need to drive to work, to school, to sporting events, to church, to the doctor's office, to the supermarket or shopping mall, to visit our relatives and friends, and to many other places.
But the good news is, even though the majority of us need our vehicles, with proper planning we can reduce the amount of time we spend driving. This will give us more time for other things and help cut down on air pollution.
In this chapter you'll learn many tips for planning your trip effectively, allowing you to save both money and time.
Tip #1:
Before Leaving Your House,
Ask Yourself, "Is This Trip Necessary?"
If it is, then ask this question: "Is the distance close enough for me to walk, jog, or ride my bike?"
If your destination is less than a mile and you're not in a hurry, I suggest you walk, jog, cycle, or even skateboard or Rollerblade there. In addition to saving gas, the exercise and fresh air will be good for your body. You may even consider getting a scooter.
Tip #2:
Get A Family Member To Run The Errand For You
If it's not feasible for you to walk or cycle to your destination before driving there, find out whether a family member such as your spouse or teenager can run the errand for you.
Let's say that after coming home from work, you realize you forgot to buy some lettuce and bread for tonight's dinner. If you know your spouse, daughter, or son (perhaps even a neighbor) may be going by the supermarket, ask whether they can pick up the items for you.
Tip #3:
Combine Your Errands
By organizing your errands and activities strategically, you'll be able to do them all in just one trip. For example, if your bank and doctor's office are located close to a store you frequent, then do your banking, see your doctor, and shop all on the same day.
Another technique is to complete many of your errands on the way to and from work, instead of coming home first.
By consolidating your tasks, you could drive 25 miles less each week, or 1,300 miles per year. If your vehicle gets 25 mpg and uses regular gas, you could save hundreds of dollars annually. In addition, you’ll reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle and help decrease air pollution.
Tip #4:
Figure Out The Shortest Route
If you must drive to your destination, please do this: Before getting into your car, figure out the best (shortest) route to get there (paved road only). Estimate how long it will take you to reach your destination by driving at the posted speeds, and give yourself enough time. This way you can avoid speeding, which is dangerous to yourself, your passengers, and other drivers, and is less fuel efficient.
If you have to drive on a toll road or bridge to go to work, by finding a better route, you could save hundreds of dollars each year, so check whether it's possible or feasible for you to change your route to work.
Tip #5:
Avoid Rough Roads
Driving on dirt or gravel roads can reduce your mileage by up to 30%. Always use paved roads.
Tip #6:
Drive During Off-Peak Hours
If possible, drive during off-peak hours, which in most major cities, are between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and after 6:00 PM. During the summer, you can save a lot of gas by not driving in the late afternoons on Mondays and Fridays, which is the peak driving time for vacationers.
Before leaving for work, listen to the traffic reports to find out whether there are any major delays or traffic accidents along your regular route.
Tip #7:
Use The Smaller Vehicle
If you have more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best mileage.
Tip #8:
Drive The Vehicle That Is Warmed Up
If your family has two vehicles of similar size, drive the one that is still warm for a quick errand. Let's say you're about to go to the store when your spouse pulls into the driveway. If he or she doesn't need the car anymore, ask for permission to drive it instead of taking yours.
Tip #9:
Use The Most Efficient Vehicle
During hot weather, drive the vehicle that has the lighter colored exterior and interior, preferably with tinted glass. A light colored vehicle reflects light and heat better than a dark one, so it will be cooler inside.
Tip #10:
Make A Shopping List
Before going to a store, write down everything you need to buy there. Doing so can prevent you from having to return to the store to pick up the items you forgot. Retracing your route not only will cost you more fuel and increase the wear and tear on your vehicle, but it also will cost you valuable time.
Tip #11:
Check With Your Spouse, Children, And Neighbors
Before leaving the store, or even while you're creating your shopping list at home or at the office, ask your spouse and children if there's anything they would like you to pick up for them from the store.
If you get along well with your neighbors, you may consider setting up this arrangement with them: Before going to a particular store(s), each party will let the other one know and buy the requested items for the other.
Tip #12:
Stock Up On Non-Perishable And Frozen Food
If there's room in your freezer, fill it up with non-perishable frozen items. You'll save several trips to the store each month.
Tip #13:
Create A To-Do List
Before going to bed at night, make a To-Do list for the following day. By figuring out the next day’s activities in advance, you’ll be able to combine your errands, saving you money and time.
Tip #14:
Ask Your Children To Run Some Errands For You
If you have children, ask them to do some of your errands for you.
Tip #15:
Let Your Children Walk To School
If you're currently driving your children to school, consider letting them walk there (if you feel it's safe for them to do so). If some of their friends or classmates live nearby, they can walk or cycle to school together.
Tip #16:
Check For Availability Before Driving To The Store
If you need to buy something from a store, such as a gift shop, before driving there, call first to ask whether the item is in stock. You'll be surprised at how many times the thing you want to purchase is not available. Doing so will save you a few extra trips to the same store.
Tip #17:
Ask For Delivery
If you're a bargain-hunter, search the newspaper ads. Ask the seller whether they will deliver for free or for a small fee that still would cost less than if you were to pick up the item(s) yourself.
Tip #18:
Shop On The Internet
Today, you can purchase almost anything on the Internet and have it delivered right to your home or office. Instead of driving across town, check for it on Internet first.
Tip #19:
Do Your Banking Online
Like most people, you're probably using your vehicle on a weekly basis just to do your banking. I suggest you consider online banking services.
I've been doing my banking on the Internet since 1999. Even though I still need to deposit checks and withdraw cash at the bank (or an ATM), I can handle everything else online. Believe me, after a few months of doing your banking on the Internet, you'll wish you had done it years ago.
An alternative to online banking is telephone banking. Contact your bank for more information about the services available.
Tip #20:
Leave For Work Early
By going to work 15 minutes earlier, you may be able to avoid the gridlock and save time on your drive each morning. Stop-and-go driving consumes more gas than when your vehicle is in constant motion (even at low speeds). If you can persuade your boss to let you start 10 to 15 minutes earlier, he or she likely will let you leave that much earlier too.
Tip #21:
Work At Home
Ask your employer whether you can work from home one or two days a week. If you can show your boss that you can get as much or more work done at home than at the office, he or she probably will let you do that. With today's technologies (such as the Internet, video conferencing, fax, phone, and others), more and more people are telecommuting.
Tip #22:
Study At Home
If you're a student who drives to school, check whether it's possible for you to study at home at least part of the time, instead of doing so at your college or university. If your school offers courses on the Internet, you may consider taking some of them online.
Tip #23:
Carpool
If you're driving to work by yourself, consider taking a bus or train. Or better yet, carpool. You'll save money on gas, make new friends, and help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution (because there will be fewer vehicles on the road). Check out the following websites:
When you car-pool (or van-pool) with a couple of people, you can use the special High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, if they're available in your area. Some HOV lanes require only two persons in the vehicle to drive on it legally.
If you're going to car pool or join a rideshare program, you can get the best gas mileage by distributing passenger weight evenly throughout the vehicle.
If you or your children participate in sports, instead of driving to the practice or game by yourself, ride with a few teammates or invite them to ride with you. By sharing the driving, all of you
will save money on gas and reduce the wear and tear on your vehicles.
By car-pooling with your teammates, friends, or other parents for sporting, after school, church, or other events, you could cut your driving by 25 miles a week, or 1,300 miles per year.
If your vehicle gets 25 mpg and uses regular gas, you could save hundreds of dollars annually. In addition, you’ll reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle and help decrease air pollution.
Tip #24:
Use Public Transportation
If you can get to your destination by bus or train, please do so. In addition to saving gas and money, a single city bus can take 40 vehicles off the road, saving 18,667 gallons of fuel and keeping nine tons of pollutants out of the atmosphere annually.
If you take a bus or train to work, ask about monthly passes, multiple-ride discount cards, and any other special deals available.
Some companies provide free or discounted bus passes for their employees, while others offer incentives for carpooling or ride sharing. If you work for a big organization, find out whether such benefits exist.
Tip #25:
Ride Your Bike To Work
If you live within 10 miles from work, consider riding your bike (or scooter), at least on sunny or dry days. In addition to saving gas, you'll reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle and also will become healthier from exercising.
Tip #26:
Remove Unneeded Things From Your Vehicle
The heavier your vehicle is, the more energy it takes to move it, and so the more fuel it consumes. Go through your car, van, or truck and take out things that are not necessary or not being used regularly.
According to the Car Care Council, an extra 100 pounds of weight in your vehicle can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2%.
Please make sure you don't take out safety equipment such as first aid kits or spare tires. Although doing so will save you some gas, it's not worth it. Please use your common sense.
Tip #27:
Take Off The Roof Rack
If you have a roof rack, remove it. It causes air resistance, forcing your vehicle to consume more gas. If you need to carry a lot of items, such as when going on a picnic or a ski trip, instead of putting them on a roof or ski rack, place them inside your vehicle if there's room. A loaded rack will affect the aerodynamics of your car, decreasing gas mileage by up to five percent.
If your car has a surf-rack, take it off if you're not going to use it for a few days. Also, since vinyl tops can cause air drag, consider removing it if you have one.
Tip #28:
Take Out Your Tailgate
If you have a pick-up truck, remove the tailgate or put it down for highway driving. This will reduce the extra air resistance, giving you better mileage.
Tip #29:
Get Rid Of Ice And Snow
During cold weather, snow and ice (weighing up to a hundred pounds) can accumulate on the frame of your vehicle. If not removed, it will cause enormous wind resistance, forcing your automobile to consume more gas. Use warm water to get rid of it before driving.
Tip #30:
Avoid Using Drive-Thru Windows
Instead of waiting in a drive-thru line to buy food or use the ATM, park your car and go inside the restaurant or bank. You'll save gas and may even get faster service. Please keep this important fact in mind: Idling your vehicle for 30 to 60 seconds will burn more fuel than turning off the engine and starting it again. We'll talk about this in more detail in Chapter Five.
Tip #31:
Determine Your Estimated Fuel Cost
Before going on a long road trip, calculate the estimated total fuel cost and then decide whether it's still worthwhile to drive or better to fly. You can do this at
fuelcostcalculator.com.
As a general rule, if you're going on a long road trip (at least 1,000 miles) by yourself, it will probably be more economical to travel by air. On the other hand, if you're traveling with several people, then driving is likely to be a better option.
In the last ten years, I’ve gone on at least ten 1,000-plus mile road trips. And, even though gasoline was cheaper in those days, if I had figured out the amount of gas used for a few of those expeditions, I would have flown to the destinations and then rented a car. It would have been more economical and I would have been less tired.
Today, with sky-high gas prices, before I take the next long road trip, especially if I'm traveling alone, I'll first figure out whether it's more cost-effective to drive, or fly and then rent a car. I suggest you do the same thing for your next long car trip.
In this chapter, I've shared with you 31 tips to help reduce your gas expenses. I urge you to review them and use some of them right away. Remember, just reading about them will not help you save any money. You must implement them.
Below is a checklist that you can use to start saving money on gas. I suggest you print it out and review it before you get into your vehicle.
QUESTIONS
YES
NO
1. Is this trip really necessary?
2. Can I walk, jog, cycle, Rollerblade, or skateboard to where I'm going?
3. Can I get my spouse or children to take care of the errands for me?
4. Have I figured out the best (shortest) route to reach to my destination?
5. Will I be driving during off-peak hours?
6. Am I using the smaller car?
7. Have I made a list of the things I need to buy or do?
8. Have I checked whether my spouse or children would like me to pick up something for them from the store?
9. Have I called the store to find out whether the item is available?
10. Can I purchase the things I need on the Internet and have them delivered to my home or office?
11. Is it feasible for me to carpool or take public transit to work?
12. Have I removed all unneeded items from my vehicle?
13. Do I need the roof or ski rack right now? Can I put the stuff inside the vehicle to reduce air resistance?
14. Can I go to work 10 to 15 minutes earlier (and leave work earlier, too)?
15. Is it more economical for me (us) to drive to the destination or to fly there and then rent a car?
