Gas
Posted by Ryan Geiger on July 10, 2008 · 2 Comments
There is actually a term that ties in with using less fuel it is called i.e Hypermiling. Did you know there is a ton of information online about this idea? Remember when brown was the new black? Well now, less is the new more! These are some strategies that I found for visiting the pumps less often.
1. Mellow Music. You’ll notice that you’ll drive faster to Rock music and that listening to something mellower (or even a story CD) means you’ll travel at a more civilised pace. Although you may find yourself wanting to crash the car out of boredom.
2. Regular oil and air filter change. More efficient burn and less friction.
3. Move less weight. Losing random junk from the car means less work for the engine to do. I know people who live in their car.
4. Use the FIRST available car parking space. Arriving in a car park or town, ditch the car at the first opportunity as low speed manouvering and waiting wastes fuel.
5. Where possible, drive at the optimum time. I’m fortunate with my job as i live on the campus. But you still need to take opportunities to miss rush hour or miss getting stuck behind a bus where not only are you wasting gas, kids are pointing at you and laughing making you feel even more insecure than you already do.
6. 55mph is GREAT, above 3000 rpm is BAD. Nuff said, watch the dials
7. Leave space. The more space between you and the car ahead the less you have to do sudden braking and hence costly re-acceleration. Or the more space between you and the car ahead allows for more opportunities for others to cut in and more expletives to pop into your mind.
8. Think way ahead. More chance to keep the car moving.
9. Dodge the wind. If it’s a windy day or if there are lots of trucks coming the other way (they move A LOT of air towards you), hug the inside lane.
10. Tyres. Keep them well inflated.
11. Avoid Stopping if possible. It really sucks gas to move over a ton of metal from a stand still.
12. Accelarate evenly and find 5th fast.
13. Switch off. If you’re not moving then the engine doesn’t need to be turning.
14. See the journey in a different light. If you see the journey as something that must be endured before you can get on with X then you’ll speed. See the journey as part of the activity of the day and you can be more chilled.
These are just some ideas and it doesn’t mean that I do them or will try to do them but they may help us out when we are getting 6 miles to the gallon.
Hmmm…let’s see….
1. Another word of advice, refrain from Philadelphia sports radio. It too will make you angry and drive faster and with a bad attitude. A nice Dickens or Shakepeare CD will do fine.
2. Check.
3. What if the weight issue is the driver? Hmmm..time to hit the “Y” more.
4. The far spots are the ones that have random floating shopping carts. They could add a few dents to the car, but probably still worth it. It might help with the weight issue from number 3 too!
5. One day I should have kids waiting outside the church in a bus and point and laugh at you while you walk to your house! That would be funny.
6. Is too slow bad too?
7. More space also means that the kids on the dreaded buses can’t see you as well too. Double incentive!
8. Yea…think way ahead of what roads have less fast food joints now that I have to weigh less to save gas!
9. Those poor people that live in Chicago….
10. On the other hand, total blowouts save on gas too while you wait on the side of the road. Another reason for kids to laugh too!
11. A ton of metal and 300 lbs. (see #3 above)
12. I have no idea what this means. Hopefully, the car is finding 5th on its own??
13. TRANSLATION: If there’s a long line while your getting your Southern fried chicken sandwich and sweet tea at the McDonald’s drive-thru, turn the engine off. When you get to the window, order a salad (see #3 above)
14. Throwing a spiritual bone…We should be seeing life like this right? Ahh yes!
Sorry for the long response. Just had a free moment. For Christmas, make sure everyone gets Ryan story CDs…..
Ummm-RYAN, why are you typing this long blog when you could get a FREEEEEEE chic-fil-a meal if you go to their store dressed in a cow suit today 7-11-08??? Don’t have a whole cow suit? You can get a free menu item for half a dressed up cow!! GO GO GO!!