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Conserving Gas
Conserving Gas
Gas Conservation for Men
While cruising the Internet about a year ago I found these suggestions on how we can conserve gas while driving, now they seem to be reasonable in this time of rising gas prices-but I felt the need to add my two cents worth. My comments and suggestions are in parenfenaces.
Avoid rapid acceleration; most horsepower (consumes a lot of gas) is built into cars for acceleration; relatively little power (and thus fuel) is required to maintain speed. (Your not gonna beat the kid in the 67 Mustang off the line in your mini van any way.)
Avoid hard braking and sudden stops. Stay alert and anticipate traffic lights, stop signs and merges. Use turn signals (Remember to turn them off-have you ever been stuck behind the old guy who has had his left turn signal for the last 40 miles?). Traffic will move more smoothly, which saves fuel for everyone.
When starting out, shift up to the next gear (manual transmission) as soon as possible without straining the engine.
Drive more slowly. One study reported that for all vehicles tested there was at least 20% loss in fuel economy as cruising speed was increased from 55 to 75 mph. So, 20 mpg at 55 mph becomes 16 mpg or less at 75 mph. (It will also save on speeding tickets-right honey?)
If your car has an instantaneous mpg indicator, use it to improve your driving efficiency.
Remove extra weight from the car; 100 extra pounds may cost 1 mpg. Pack lightly for trips. (Remember this when your wife wants you to go to the Mall with her, your just trying to save gas.)
Try to avoid using roof racks and remove when they are not in use. (This guy is obviously not married, “Gee honey you can only take 2 suit cases†like that’s gonna happen.)
Use cruise control on highway trips. ( See comments about speeding tickets)
For any stop you expect to last more than a minute, shut of your engine rather than letting it idle. (As in “Honey you wait here, this will just take a minute†wrong-no woman has ever gone into a store and been there less than an hour, this is not sexist just the truth.)
Do not warm engine up before driving; it is not necessary, even in cold weather. (Yes it is- my sweetie doesn’t care if I sit in the car and freeze my ass off while it warms-but her happy little cute butt isn’t getting in there till its nice and toasty.)
Do not rev engine before shutting it off; this wastes fuel and can dilute motor oil, leading to excessive wear on engine parts. (Come on you are driving a Taurus-it just don't roar like the Hemi you had when you was a kid anyhow,)
Reduce the use of your air conditioner at low driving speeds. When driving over 40 mph using the air conditioner costs less fuel than having windows open. (This guy has never had to run around town in July with a menopausal woman who is having hot flashes.)
Park in the shade and/or leave windows slightly open to reduce the need for air conditioning. (Ok she has gone into Wal-Mart; face it your afternoon and Master Charge are both shot. Find that big tree and prepare to wait. I suggest a good book-you will have time for a Tom Clancy novel and that 44 oz. ice tea from Sonic. Sit back and enjoy. You will get your exercise later carrying her loot in to the house.)
As you can see gas conservation is possible it we just look at it reasonably and take the measures to help in this time of crisis. If you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to add them below.
posted on Apr 17, 2008 7:44 AM ()
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Good stuff.
You got trees in your parking lots?????
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