A Public Service Announcement
[UPDATE 05-18-2007]: The observer offers a link to additional gas saving tips.
A skeptics guide to fuel economy as the summer nears and gas prices hit record highs.
Found in an article on Yahoo! via CNNMoney.com, Four Gas Saving Myths.
From the article,
1. Additives, magnets, and other gimmicks help save gas.
FACT: They have a negligible effect on fuel economy. Mostly, they're a rip off.
2. Keeping windows rolled down increased aerodynamic drag reducing fuel efficiency and running your car's a/c wastes gas.
FACT: Keeping windows rolled down (compared to keeping them up) and using a/c versus not, has no significant effect on gas mileage.
3. Wednesday is the cheapest day to buy gas.
FACT: While gas prices tend to be slightly higher on weekends, there's no one day that is the best day to buy gas.
4. Stopping and starting your engines drains your gas tank.
FACT: That may have been true in the days cars had carburetors, but with today's fuel injected engines, if you know you're going to be idling for more than 30 seconds, turning off the engine actually saves gas.
... and now some gas saving tips that DO WORK!!!!
1. Keep your tires inflated to their proper pressure. Not only that, it'll help the tires last longer and allow you to maneuver more safely.
2. Remove excess weight from your car. Put those golf clubs in the closet if you're not going to be using them. Dispose of that dead body that's chopped up in hefty bags in the trunk. Stop running illegals across the border just to get cheaper lawn care service.
3. If your car has a cruise control, use it whenever possible. When on the expressway, especially on long trips.
4. Most importantly, drive sensibly. Avoid rapid starts and stops and exceeding the speed limit too much.
Happy driving and gute Nacht.