Tips for fighting skyrocketing fuel prices
April 23rd, 2008, 2:19 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Tony Natale
AAA Arizona has some suggestions for drivers facing the shattering fuel prices at the pump.
“There are several ways motorists can curb their fuel consumption and maximize their fuel efficiency to lessen the pinch of current pump prices,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs manager for AAA Arizona. Print these out and put them on your sun visor:
* Carpool, telecommute, ride share or use public transportation when possible. Alternative modes of transportation just one day a week can curb fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.
* Keep your eyes open for low fuel prices, but don’t waste gas driving to a distant station to save a few cents. For the cheapest gas in your neighborhood, log on to www.aaaaz.com/news and click on “Fuel Price Finder.”
* When planning a vacation, budget your fuel costs in advance by visiting AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.fuelcostcalculator.com.
* If you are going somewhere new, get directions first from an online source such as AAA TripTik. Getting lost wastes gas.
* Keep up your vehicle maintenance. A simple measure such as keeping tires properly inflated can increase gas mileage by as much as two percent.
* Follow the speed limit. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower it by 17 percent.
* Travel light. Less weight means better mileage and heavier vehicles uses more gasoline.
* Buy at the right time of day. Gas is sold by volume, which expands and contracts given the ambient temperature. By filling your tank during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening) you will be getting more volume per gallon.
