I Want Better Gas Mileage

After reaching almost $150 barrel, oil has plummetted, down to the $60-$70 range. Some say oil may even fall below $50.

Unfortunately though, the reason oil has fallen so precipitously is because of the global economic slowdown. Everyone is cutting back spending and production, so oil is still falling.

At the very least, this means we all have to pay less at the tank. Of course, we have less money to begin with, so it’s a bit of a phyrric victory. Once the economic slowdown ends and things go back to normal, we will likely have to deal with higher gas prices.

Just because gas prices have fallen doesn’t take away the need to get better gas mileage. We sure don’t want to be caught unprepared again!

Are you shopping for a new car? Are you trying to maintain your existing car? Follow these easy tips and get the best gas mileage.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends these tips for a better fuel efficiency and environmental protection tips:

Efficiently Driving On The Road:

• Always drive a fuel efficient vehicle.
• Drive within the posted speed limits: Gas consumption is more at higher speeds.
• Don’t drive aggressively: Efficiency in starts and stops, anticipating the traffic conditions and good gear to speed ratio will improve your gas mileage by more than 5 percent.
• Unnecessary idling will waste the gas and cost more money per gallon. It will also pollute the atmosphere. If you are likely to wait for a longer time, then turn off the engine.
• Don’t drive too often to buy various things. Plan your purchases well and cover the distance in fewer trips. The warm engine will save fuel compared to the frequent cold engine starts.
• Make the car lighter! Remove unwanted accessories, especially from the trunk of the car will save fuel.
• Lessen the air resistance on the car by avoiding stuffing materials on the roof of the car. This will save fuel because the car will be aerodynamically efficient.
• Do not park in hot conditions. Find a cool place for parking your vehicle.
• Accelerate, drive, and brake smoothly. A smooth acceleration and a good deceleration will increase the MPG by as much as 20 percent.
• Turning off the air conditioner when not required will save precious fuel. Air conditioning requires fuel to run itself. Try and use the air vents and the windows at lower driving speeds. At higher driving speeds, the air conditioner will actually help save fuel because the closed windows and air vents will actually reduce the air resistance on the car’s body.

At The Garage:

• Keep the tyres properly inflated.
• Use radial tyres.
• Replace faulty oxygen sensors. This can improve the gas mileage by almost 15 percent.
• Proper wheel alignment will help the gas mileage by up to 10 percent.
• Check the spark plugs for dirt. Keeping the spark plug clean will ensure a fuel efficient car.
• Replace faulty gas caps and broken thermostats.
• Check the brakes and other systems of the car.
• Change the oil at recommended times. Use the recommended motor oil. The energy conserving oil uses friction-reducing agents that improve fuel economy.
• Check and replace air filters at regular intervals: This can save fuel by approximately 10 percent.
• Keep the car engine properly tuned. Proper lubrication will keep the car in better condition and will save more fuel.
• Keep your car in optimum condition in all seasons.

While buying a new car, get miles per gallon ratings on various vehicles and buy the best rated car.

Use the public transportation whenever possible will of course save precious fuel.

Educating others to save fuel, and the proper usage of fuel will help the nation save more on fuel consumption. It will also help the environment to become pollution free. Preserve a national resource that is depleting fast. Preserve the Earth from further pollution. Help a global cause!

If high gas prices are really busting your budget – and you don’t mind standing out from the crowd – consider buying a moped for your day-to-day trips.  Mopeds are small scooters that look like miniature motorcycles with the pedals of a bicycle.  They don’t have the distance range of a regular car, but they’re great on gas mileage. So even if you don’t use the moped as your primary vehicle, you can use it for a few trips a day and save a bundle on gas.

Typically, the two things that separate a moped from a regular motorcycle are a smaller bore engine and smaller tires.  Each state defines what makes a bike a moped differently, although they essentially define the same thing.  For instance, Massachusetts says they have to have an automatic transmission, they cannot be capable of going more than 30 mph, and their cylinder capacity must not exceed 50 cc.

Take a trip to just about any college and you’ll see at least a few mopeds parked around campus.  They’re perfect for short trips that are either too long for bikes or too short for a car.  Currently, you can buy a new moped for about $1,000 to $5,000.  You can also find used mopeds in good condition for around $500 to $1,000. If you’re interested in picking one up, check with motorcycle shops in your area or look for classified ads in your local newspapers and on Craigslist.

Mopeds will deliver excellent return on the investment – primarily in this area of gasoline consumption.  There are some models that can give you as much as a hundred miles per gallon.  A few have even been recorded to provide 120 miles per gallon, although that’s not a consistent range that you should expect.  Just like any car, riding your moped at a lower speed will help reach the higher fuel efficiency levels, as will keeping up on your bike’s maintenance.

In addition, there are rumors of a future “hybrid” moped that will allow you to recharge the battery by using the pedals.  This way, when you’re going downhill and don’t need the engine, you can use the pedals and save even more gas at the same time.  This would make the moped even more fuel-efficient than it already is and lead to even greater gas savings.

Currently, there are only a few moped makers in the United States, so the supply is limited.  This promises to change soon though, as more people seek out alternative means of transportation to try to cope with rising fuel prices. This could also lead to an increase in the price of these mini-bikes, so if you’re in the market for a moped, now’s the time to buy.

If you’re looking for new ways to save gas and live in a relatively urban area, consider downgrading from your car to a moped for all your in-town errands. Using a moped for short distances – like getting groceries or going to the movies – can save you a bundle when it comes to gas prices. Sure, you might get a few funny looks, but take heart – while others are laughing at how strange you look, just look at how much money they’re paying to put gas in their cars and you’ll feel better right away!