GasBuddy News Article

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How to save on transportation costs

Miami Herald -- Driving the speed limit can increase fuel efficiency by 7 percent to 23 percent. Figure it costs 20 cents a gallon for every five miles over the speed limit, the government says. • Unload your trunk. You can lose 2 percent in miles-per-gallon by carrying around 100 extra pounds of stuff. Keep your car properly maintained by replacing air filters and keeping tires inflated to the appropriate pressure. • Use cruise control on the highway. • Braking and accelerating slowly can improve fuel economy by 5 percent to 33 percent. • Carpool to halve weekly gas expenses or use public transportation.

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Submitted Dec 09, 2007 By: JT

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vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,906 Points:2,126,095 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 11:13:41 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse doing all that already !!
HankJ Champion Author Montgomery Posts:7,711 Points:1,404,100 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 11:04:19 PM Ignore HankJ Report Abuse Bike or walk
1985tbird Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,680 Points:554,075 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 11:02:10 PM Ignore 1985tbird Report Abuse I'm selling my house and leaving the country
Cretired Champion Author Louisiana Posts:4,622 Points:1,344,985 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:48:34 PM Ignore Cretired Report Abuse Just get the most efficent car you can afford, that'll make the biggest diffrence.
goldieolds Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,317 Points:606,570 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:25:35 PM Ignore goldieolds Report Abuse I couldn't get the whole article to come up, so don't know if they mentioned it, but another one is turn the engine off when you're not driving. Seems obvious, but I can't tell you how many times I see people in parking lots and in front of buildings with their engines running. Not only does it waste gas and therefor raise the prices for everybody else, but it also fouls the air that we all have to breath. Directly, for those that have to walk through that car's fumes to get where they are going, and indirectly by contributing to the growing air quality and pollution problems. Even cities that never had pollution in the past, like Minneapolis, have smog and air quality alerts now. "cough, cough"
BOATNERD5 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,366 Points:395,335 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:25:33 PM Ignore BOATNERD5 Report Abuse hard to calculate
colefolk Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,431 Points:1,002,600 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:23:23 PM Ignore colefolk Report Abuse Vehicles also are lighter in weight than they were in the 70's -- fiberglass [or bathroom tissue] chasses. Like the Detroit-area responder indicated below, it's not a good idea to ride bikes in single-digit temperatures [increased medical bills].
Chasms Champion Author Orange County Posts:20,308 Points:1,690,150 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:15:19 PM Ignore Chasms Report Abuse mugrb: I hate to burst your bubble but =The chief factors in calculating Fuel Economy is HOW you calculate it & How FULL is a "Full" tank!!= Example: When I fill my tank, I can pump 1½ - 2 gallons more in after the nozzle shuts off [even That VARIES by station & pump efficiency]. But when my wife fills it up, she stops pumping when the nozzle clicks off, and tells me "Yes, it's FULL!" AND she doesn't write down trip mileage. If my wife drove your vehicle, you might get 41 mpg as sloppy as she does things. So go figure......
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,860 Points:888,155 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:15:16 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse The 55 MPH for the top MPG is old data and does NOT agree with the digital readings in Chevy Venture. It gets almost the same at 55 MPH as it does at 65 MPH. both are getting 33.5 MPG. Back in the 70's and 80's cars were geared for more power and driving at 55 MPH did save then. Most of todays cars have 4, 5 or 6 speed transmission with a top gear that gets very good MPG at the higher speed. But there is a big drop off in todays cars in MPG at speeds over 70 MPH still. [Edited by: defiancegasman at 12/9/2007 11:18:27 PM EST]
CostcoKid All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:689 Points:1,204,435 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:15:06 PM Ignore CostcoKid Report Abuse maybe if you drove something other than a hugh 4 door SUV and drove a car that got 30 MPG instead we would not be in this mess
RLH68 Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,961 Points:732,000 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:14:07 PM Ignore RLH68 Report Abuse 'chuck sr' makes a lot of sense and I know he's right. I use cruise control whenever possible and have seen the results. I see 'chuck sr' is from Tampa, FL. I'm from Orlando, FL and have found that trying to travel less than the posted speed limit is taking your life in your hands. Most drivers will intentionally pass you then cut back in as close as they can to show their ignorance. Very little courtesy on highways today.
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:2,631 Points:681,180 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:04:49 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse Good Advice-I practice the above steps.
mugrb Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,472 Points:426,240 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 10:00:10 PM Ignore mugrb Report Abuse I TOLD YOU SO!! Now I have the Government for actual proof. Gee, maybe that's why my 1999 GMC Jimmy SLT 4-door mid size SUV got up to 24.2 mpg highway. But according the auto techs and salesmen - NO WAY! According to them the best the Jimmy could get on the highway with a 4.3 liter V-6 engine is at best - 12 mpg. "Your gong to tell me my mid size Jimmy SUV gets worse mpg that my sister's 1999 full size 4-door Chevy Tahoe with a 350 CID V-8 engine!?" She typically gets 17 mpg on the highway. "Salesmen - what do they know?" Now I traded my Jimmy for a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup w/3.0 liter V-6. It's been getting up to 28.1 mpg on the highway. Still get a lot of flack about that. "NO WAY a Ranger is going to get anything better than maybe 19 mpg highway!" These auto techs must have some really heavy lead feet then. The worse I got towing about 2,000 lbs was 24.3 mpg.
chuck sr Veteran Author Tampa Posts:445 Points:645,660 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 9:34:10 PM Ignore chuck sr Report Abuse The U.S. government has determined, that 55 mph, is the most efficient, for mpg efficiency. The faster we drive, the more wind resistance, we encounter. The more wind resistance we encounter, the more fuel we will use. Have you ever seen a train start up? The engineer spins the drive wheels for a few seconds, waits a few seconds, then repeats the cycle, until the whole train has momentum. Then, he will open the throttle, and bring it up to speed. The same holds true for cars. Once you get it moving, and up to speed, momentum will do a lot for you. This is how cruise control works. You set it, and then watch for drivers, who are erratic. Also, if you drive 55, drivers behind you must drive 55, or else pass you, if they wish to speed. And, if you are like me, if you see a light, 2 blocks ahead, release the cruise control and coast, and if the light goes green, resume cruising. You will be surprised at the increase in mileage.
Tigerlady All-Star Author Detroit Posts:567 Points:611,055 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 9:12:05 PM Ignore Tigerlady Report Abuse Pretty much same old tips. Bring on more vehiles that use fuel alternatives.
southpaw33 Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,015 Points:537,660 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 9:04:52 PM Ignore southpaw33 Report Abuse i took the spare tire off the back end of my jeep wrangler x, V6 4.0 liter engine. it has improved my gas mileage... believe it or not, i have gotten up to 404 miles on one tank of gas. 19 gallon tank but i squeeze 20 gallons into the tank without spilling a drop. this averages out to 20 miles to one gallon of gas. this is also driving within the posted speed limits. but i take a chance of not being able to change a flat if this happens, so far i've gotten away with it for almost a year now.... oil change every 3000 miles or 3 months which ever comes first. tune up every 30,000 miles and the air pressure in the tires every other day........
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:8,318 Points:1,659,440 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:59:19 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse Drive less!
djleighk15 Rookie Author Arizona Posts:10 Points:13,205 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:46:03 PM Ignore djleighk15 Report Abuse If you keep a steady speed of 45 mph in town, you'll more than likely hit all green lights(unless traffic is horrible, in that case there's nothing you can do). Like in the early mornings or in the evenings just stay at 45 mph and i promise you wont hit a red, once you get the pattern down. Its nice you save gas because you aren't stoping and going all the time and you accelerator stays at a steady rpm. You all know what happens when you have steady rpm...SAVE GAS...LOVE IT!!
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,398 Points:1,028,115 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:42:13 PM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse Remember the good old days ('50s & 60s) when we would modify the engines and transmissions to get more speed and acceleration ... the more horsepower the better? Burning rubber ... peeling out ... etc. was a sign of the times. Well, DON'T DO THAT. (Poor kids of today ... dad will only buy a 4-cylinder.) Many worthwhile ways to economize and save "gas bucks." Worth paying attention to and putting into practice.
Star Cruise Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,082 Points:261,105 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:31:26 PM Ignore Star Cruise Report Abuse great suggestions. About time somebody wa doing something constructive instead of alawys having excuses
JPgas101 Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,744 Points:576,905 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:24:36 PM Ignore JPgas101 Report Abuse Carpooling
cabdriver Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,341 Points:1,035,100 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:20:27 PM Ignore cabdriver Report Abuse yeah. I love the hot rodders accelerating to a red light! LOL gotta luv my little town
anishnene All-Star Author Michigan Posts:885 Points:207,305 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:15:38 PM Ignore anishnene Report Abuse Things that we should all be doing. But what about making alternative fuels.
quixdrah Rookie Author California Posts:16 Points:2,520 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:15:30 PM Ignore quixdrah Report Abuse I try to go the speed limit, but then all those others with money to burn want to run me over on the highway (or the streets in town!)
RangRiderNV Rookie Author Salt Lake City Posts:38 Points:80,690 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:12:27 PM Ignore RangRiderNV Report Abuse Take the bus if you can.
kingpin6 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,610 Points:731,200 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:08:23 PM Ignore kingpin6 Report Abuse All these are common sense that everybody should already know. We have got to change our driving habits. Drive less and find alternative fuels that are practical and cost-efficient.
24541 All-Star Author Virginia Posts:846 Points:1,373,600 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:02:30 PM Ignore 24541 Report Abuse Make your trips count.
Harry911 Champion Author Columbia Posts:4,604 Points:856,475 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 8:00:25 PM Ignore Harry911 Report Abuse walk
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:5,937 Points:1,165,270 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:58:13 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Take it easy. You will be better off in the long run.
brus282 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,626 Points:943,225 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:52:12 PM Ignore brus282 Report Abuse ss dd
Cruiser340 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,509 Points:1,813,035 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:40:00 PM Ignore Cruiser340 Report Abuse Just don't use the cruise control on snow and ice covered roads!
utley All-Star Author Edmonton Posts:594 Points:1,008,835 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:38:50 PM Ignore utley Report Abuse Yeah, like someone is going to get us all to slow down. NOT.
buckoMD Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,240 Points:711,950 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:38:24 PM Ignore buckoMD Report Abuse Seen this since the first oil crisis in '72.
UP-Skier Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:10,160 Points:2,348,095 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:36:21 PM Ignore UP-Skier Report Abuse Nothing new, just the same old stuff.
Japsmith Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,634 Points:227,860 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:35:56 PM Ignore Japsmith Report Abuse The usual tips that people choose or refuse to follow. Many people use the excuse that time is money and choose to speed so that they can get there quicker than if they were going the speed limit. For me I have more time than I do money that I have to spend filling up my vehicle.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,094 Points:1,145,075 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:24:54 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse how about some new info that might be useful.
benj Rookie Author New York Posts:4 Points:64,345 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:19:33 PM Ignore benj Report Abuse same old tips. i think most of us already knew them. furthermore, i find it unbelievable that i can save anything noticeable by following them unless i am driving 90mph, carrying an elephant in my trunk, and have 3 soft tires.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,973 Points:1,046,195 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:14:11 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse The link isn't there but what was in the heading sounds like reasonably ideas. Anything to conserve while we push, holler and screem for the non-oil alternative.
Memaw2mud Sophomore Author Oklahoma City Posts:134 Points:95,335 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 7:06:33 PM Ignore Memaw2mud Report Abuse The tips are all well and good but that is not helping the price of gas now is it?
sdm6061 Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,494 Points:1,503,935 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:57:02 PM Ignore sdm6061 Report Abuse could someone either post the correct link or the full article? the Miami Herald website never heard of it. thank you
DeerFever Rookie Author Akron Posts:49 Points:776,605 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:41:54 PM Ignore DeerFever Report Abuse Push for the fuel cell and have them stick the oil...
gassygrandpa Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,295 Points:1,051,955 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:41:10 PM Ignore gassygrandpa Report Abuse Yea, ride a bike. Oh, I changed my air filter and gas mileage went down. Go figure.
ED6 Champion Author Riverside Posts:5,133 Points:997,685 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:36:53 PM Ignore ED6 Report Abuse Drive a fuel efficient car.
unloquacious Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,560 Points:697,640 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:31:24 PM Ignore unloquacious Report Abuse Get up and leave 5 minutes earlier. Basic stuff we all know, but need to be reminded of anyway;)
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:4,035 Points:1,189,440 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:26:27 PM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse Conservation always helps!
IamWhoIam Champion Author San Francisco Posts:11,900 Points:1,196,480 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:22:14 PM Ignore IamWhoIam Report Abuse Why say that? It is avery short-sighted view, unless you drive a motor scooter which by law almost everywhere is limited to 30mph.
trainjunkie47 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,067 Points:1,310,580 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:19:31 PM Ignore trainjunkie47 Report Abuse "I can't drive, fifty five"
FunkyPMonkey Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,461 Points:812,545 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:04:51 PM Ignore FunkyPMonkey Report Abuse ok
Jeannemarie Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:24,706 Points:1,636,650 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 6:01:02 PM Ignore Jeannemarie Report Abuse Interestingly enough I recall the 55 mph everyone had to endure back a number of years (some of you weren't born then for sure) and at first we screamed and hollered. But, the part we found strange was that we got to our destination within about 5 minutes of the time rushing got us there, much more rested, and used less fuel. That would be good training for a lot of these guys who think they have to get in front of someone else or the roads will be rolled up in front of them so they cannot get through. I am after my husband every week to check my tires forme and it turns out they are generally down a bit so it is a good thing to do. I don't carry anything extra in my car except some canvas tote bags (lightweight) that I use at the grocery stores as I am also in favor to not using extra oil there. Yes, those plastic bags are made from oil. I use cruise control on the highway, I do not brake suddenly but keep my eyes on the cars and the lights ahead so I know when I have to slow down early enough to avoid slamming on those brakes. Often the lights will change to green as I get to them so I do not have to stop at all. I get 48-50 mpg in town and get 78 - 80 mpg on the highway with this. I do drive a Prius Hybrid but I use it carefully so I can do better. The gasoline I don't use is for others. My husband only drives his car one day a month on the average. We both plan our trips to make sure we don't double back or waste our mileage. It just takes a little planning.
metalman79108 All-Star Author Texas Posts:550 Points:157,755 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 5:47:56 PM Ignore metalman79108 Report Abuse Double nickel works
gasie1 Champion Author Maine Posts:5,616 Points:1,565,340 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 5:41:29 PM Ignore gasie1 Report Abuse All great things to know.
masonco Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,728 Points:1,043,085 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2007 5:17:05 PM Ignore masonco Report Abuse I can not get the link to work. senileoldman: It is a known fact that city stop and go driving uses a lot more gas that driving steady speeds regardless of what speed you are driving. That is why they give you one MPG for city driving and higher mileage for "highway driving" usually recorded at a steady 55 MPH. Most have posted ways to improve mileage. I seen other sites that give mileage tips too, but the biggest things are to slow down, avoid jack rabbit starts and just drive less.