I came across these two tips while reading Wise Bread this week, that I thought I would pass on to you. Definitely get you thinking when gas prices are estimated to hit $4 a gallon by summer!
1. Slow Down! – Save $.54 cents per gallon
According to this post, you can save approx. $.54 cents per gallon by simply slowing down your driving. It may be a challenging for most of us, but it appears that you can get an extra 15 miles per gallon (that’s at least an extra 200 miles per tank). The author shares how he increased his mileage from 32-47 mpg with this tip!
“In a typical family sedan, every 10 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like the price of gasoline going up about 54 cents a gallon. That figure will be even higher for less fuel-efficient vehicles that go fewer miles on a gallon to start with (based on a cost of $3.25 per gallon). (CNNMoney.com) In response to the oil crisis in 1973, a 55 mph national speed limit was imposed. 55 mph is still a car’s “sweet spot” for fuel efficiency. What uses the most energy of a car at high speeds is the force of air. The increase in wind resistance is exponential, which means it rises more steeply between 70 and 80 mph than 50 to 60. Increasing your highway cruising speed from 55mph (90km/h) to 75mph (120km/h) can raise fuel consumption as much as 20%. – eartheasy.com
Read the full article here.
We’re giving it a try!
2. Safely Following Trucks
Driving behind big trucks can save 5-10% of your gas, due to drafting. Make sure to allow a good distance, so the driver can still view your vehicle in his windows.
“The science behind drafting is closely related to why driving slower saves energy. Basically, you have less air resistance in front of your car if a big truck has already passed through the air and your car is in the tunnel or “slipstream” behind it. A truck also blocks some of the air rushing at you. On the popular Discovery Channel show Mythbusters it was shown that if you follow a big rig by 100 feet you can decrease your fuel consumption by 11%.”
Read the full article here.
Great post. I’ve been hypermiling and I am posting my results today if you want to check out my blog.
Good tips! I didn’t know about following trucks!
I did a recent Frugal Friday on this, too: http://danandkeren.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/saving-on-gas/.
I wish that I blogged this one! On March 10th I got my first speeding ticket. I was only going 41 in a 25, ha ha! I have a dear husband and he fills up my car when I need gas. My husband says that since the speeding ticket, he has notice that I have been getting better gas mileage! Now, I have to admit that getting dirty looks from people as they pass by does hurt my feelings, but I am never getting another speeding ticket again! That thing cost me $130 and not to mention the traffic school tuition that I have to pay on top of that so I won’t lose the points off of my license and have to pay higher car insurance. Yes, everyone, Linsay is right, slow down!
Holy moly! 41 in a 25 huh. Anymore you could have been arrested for reckless driving. (usually when you go double the speed limit)
If you go to court, and fight it you probably won’t get any points. which it has been over a month, so you probably already paid for it.
I can say I only received one speeding ticket since becoming saved. I try to remember God wants us to obey all laws. Speeding really doesn’t get you there any faster, and you could get in an accident.