Fuel cost and what it means for our daily lives
According to our recent survey, the rising cost of fuel has caused many families and individuals to refrain from the driving habits we are so accustomed to. Before the cost of fuel skyrocketed, we wouldn’t think twice about hopping in our car for a 50- or 60-mile drive, perhaps to a zoo or other recreation area for a quiet Sunday outing with our families.
But based on the statements of those who responded to our survey, it seems that these leisurely trips are being limited or, in some cases, families are simply staying home more.
To combat his high fuel costs, Mr. Cooper of Saint Louis Mo, a consultant who drives more than 20,000 miles a year, recently traded in his Ford Taurus for a new Honda Civic that gets 41 mpg.
Another consumer stated that fuel prices have drastically changed their lifestyle, they have stopped going out to dinner, going to the movies and even canceled their vacation plans. What used to cost him 42.00 to fill his truck now costs $110.00. We have a lot less money than before this all started. We have drastically reduced the amount of driving, only when necessary and we have tried to combine trips, we do not do any additional driving unless it is for school or work, so we stay at home much more and have no extra money NOW !
Matt Downer of Downers Grove, Illinois seems to have at least one positive spin on the situation. I’m much fitter because I walk everywhere or ride my bike I think it’s a blessing in disguise America is the most obese country in the world and maybe this will slim it down a bit also a lot less fuel emissions if people don’t lead the earth will not die.
Whatever your thoughts and opinions on the recent price hike, I think it is clear that until prices come down, the majority of the working class will be forced to continue to deprive themselves of even the most basic of luxuries.
While we can’t control the price per gallon, we can at least follow some basic guidelines and lower our cost, even if it’s a tiny amount, but at $3.00 per gallon, even a tiny amount will help our pockets.
Listed below are UsedCarWise.Com’s top 10 tips for increasing fuel economy.
1. Set the tire pressure to the recommended psi based on your vehicle’s tire tag or placard. (Always adjust tire pressure with cold tires)
2. Avoid excessive downtime, like warming up your car in the mornings (it’s no use anyway)
3. Instead of going through the drive-thru at fast food chains, go inside to order. Of course this will prevent excessive idling while online.
4. Remove any excess weight from the trunk or bed of your truck (this also does not include overweight spouses)
5. Remove the luggage racks for aerodynamic reasons.
6. Make sure the end of the steering and suspension system is properly aligned, a misaligned steering system will cause excessive drag and reduce fuel consumption.
7. Use cruise control while driving at highway speeds.
8. Reduce your speed by 5 mph, this may be the biggest savings of all, and if you think about it, 5 mph won’t get you to your destination much faster. (Just be prepared for 1-finger salutes and honks)
9. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained, especially the air filter. If the check engine light is on, have it corrected as soon as possible, it could be a bad sensor or other mechanical fault that will seriously affect fuel economy. Also always use the proper grade of engine oil, the wrong grade can affect fuel economy by 1% or more.
10. Avoid sudden starts and aggressive driving habits.
While the above tips may not be new, they are certainly worth not only repeating, but adhering to. And with the cost of fuel at record levels, we need all the help we can muster.