Buying a hybrid isn't the only way to conserve fuel, reduce emissions and save money at the gas pump.
Last summer, gasoline prices surged to record highs, causing Americans to stay at home and rethink their love affair with the automobile. Jump ahead a year: Fuel prices are down nearly 40 percent and the Automobile Association of America's travel and auto group is forecasting that trips by automobile will increase by 2.7 percent over last year, up from 26.3 million travelers to 27 million.
While only time will ultimately tell if Americans are truly ready to head out on the highway in search of adventure and whatever comes our way (gotta love Steppenwolf), one thing is certain: The desire to hit the road and low gas prices have not curbed our desire to use less fuel. The federal Energy Information Administration recently announced that over the four weeks that ended May 22, U.S. demand for gasoline averaged about 9.2 million barrels a day, an increase of only 0.4 percent from the same period last year, when gas prices were through the roof. And now that gas prices are back on the rise (since May 25, the national average retail price of gasoline has risen nearly 20 cents per gallon to $2.63), we don't expect consumer demand to change any time soon.
To help, here are 10 tips you can use to squeeze the most mileage out of every penny spent at the pump. Some involve proper maintenance of your vehicle, but most require a change in behavior. All will help ease the burden on your wallet.
Stop Driving Like a Maniac
Changing the way you drive is the most effective way to reduce the amount of fuel your car consumes. Accelerate gradually, drive smoothly and with care and you could see as much as a 33 percent gain in fuel economy on the highway and 5 percent around town, compared with what you'd get with an aggressive driving style, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That means skipping those jackrabbit starts at stoplights and sudden pedal-to-the-metal maneuvers on the highway.
Limit Use of the Brake Pedal
Anticipate stops so you avoid sudden braking. In fact, spend as little time on the brakes as possible. "Any time you hit the brake [in a traditional gas-powered vehicle], you are throwing away energy," says Eric Kaufman, engineering manager for fuel economy and drive quality at General Motors. Take a long view of the road ahead, coasting safely to an intersection in front of you where you see traffic stopped.
Observe Posted Speed Limits
A car or truck moving at 55 mph can get about 15 percent better fuel economy than the same car going 65 mph. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas.
Discuss: What techniques do you use to get the most out of every tank of gas you purchase?
Use Cruise Control Whenever Possible
Sure, it's a luxury convenience. But, when used properly, cruise control can also be a fuel saver. It smoothes out driver input, helps maintain an even speed and allows the driver to take a long look at the road, rather than reacting to every little change in the surrounding traffic.
