Ethanol reduces gas mileage but is good for emissions . We are paying more and getting less from the oil companies . Certainly , no surprise there !

Personally, I drive very little in comparison to many. Always have consolidated errands, avoided backtracking and high volume drive times when possible, and use cruise control on highways (set conservatively). Works for me - if I'm going to spend money, I'd rather not be blowing it out the tailpipe!

Since this latest gas crunch (and I remember the wait lines of the 70's) I have noticed that in my hyped up traffic area, drivers do seem to be slowing down. And the age-old tradition of a 'Southern - hey, y'all!" tailgating is abating. I think some people are 'getting it'.

As for auto/engine maintenance ..... this is a double edged sword. Auto repair/maintenance has its rip off artists, so many are fearful of falling into a pit of unnecessary work & cost - flip side is that cars these days don't require all that much when driven appropriately. All comes down to personal responsibility and education. Knowing your vehicle and driving habits = knowing good maintenance from bad/unnecessary. JMO

Finding a good mechanic is imperative. When I lived in California I used the same independent Volvo shop for thirty years. They knew my car, and I knew them. (I drove the same car for twenty-eight of those years.) A batch of Christmas cookies each year made the guys extra nice about saving me a few dollars here and there. When it came time to buy another car, they helped me choose which car to buy.

I was really worried about finding reliable mechanics, when I moved to New Mexico. However, I found another independent Volvo shop with guys who are just as terrific as the guys in California. They have gone the extra mile several times, done small things at no charge except parts. They have given me reason to trust and respect them, so I will stick with them.

I recently took the car in saying it was acting up. They couldn't get it to do what I was complaining about when they road-tested. They guessed that a certain part needed replacing because of the age of the car, and asked for permission to replace it. They said if it turned out they had guessed wrong, they would put the old part back on at no charge and refund the price I paid for the labor and the new part. They would keep the old part for a month in case they were in error. I phoned them a few days later, telling them they had guessed correctly, the problem was fixed and they could toss the old part. Whenever these guys sevice my car, they phone a day or so later asking if the work was satisfactory and thanking me for my business. I live in a rural area. I have to drive thirty miles to get to their shop, but it is well worth the peace of mind in knowing these guys are honest, trustworthy and respectful.

Lorna

Using your own gauge, measure your tires at every fill-up. Underinflated tires are arguably the most common waste of fuel.

Accelerate slowly.

Coast to stops and turns whenever possible.

Get rid of any "junk in the trunk".

I go between 55-60 on our multi-lane freeway (the limit is 65). I have signs on my car that encourage people to pass if they want. I'm always surprised at how many people choose not to.

These steps pulled my 28mpg car (city and highway mix) to nearly 34 mpg. I'm still looking for more ways to do better, though. :)

Good ideas and practices, witeowl. You are right about carrying unnecesary weight in a vehicle lowering gas mileage, and properly inflated tires is a very good point.

So what should I take out of my purse to lessen the weight? Kidding! Although my purse is kind of heavy...

:-) Lorna

My brothers semi with 350 horse power gets 5.25 mpg loaded and a bit more empty, loaded he is generally around 84,000 pounds; he cranked the horse power up to 450 and spends less time pulling hills resulting in a bit better miles per gallon of fuel. he had an older truck cranked to nearly 1,000hp, a real fuel burner when he pushed it. He, as most independants get paid by the mile so they go as fast as possible, sometimes resulting in a little poorer mpg.

My SUV gets around 16 mpg no matter what speed I drive at as long as I dont go over 60 mph. Using cruise control does help a wee bit. I keep the filters clean & proper tire inflation. Not much I can do to better that. Some of us just have to pay the piper!

I have a ten year old Honda Civic which gets about 31 MPG for stop and go. Straight-out highway-only driving gets me close to 40. I saw a news item about hyper mileing and realized that I already do everything that they suggested - slow down, no jack-rabbit starts, lots of coasting, good maintainance, tire inflation,etc.

My biggest gripe is that we live in an area that has no good public transportation. I have to drive about five miles to the nearest bus stop or train station to get into NYC - and we're on the "wrong" side of the Hudson River. People in Westchester have much more access to direct train service into town. There is only one private bus line from my county, and it doesn't run 24/7. I work in theatre and film, so I don't have a 9-5 schedule. I may need to be at an audition at 2:30 PM one day, a film shoot at 5AM another day, a performance at 8PM another. Public transport only runs "business" hours. But it doesn't run for my business hours. I car-pool when I can, but that's usually not an option. Taking the bus means a minimum two-hour commute - each way. And it's more expensive than driving and parking. I do the best I can, but municipalities need to step up and do their part. We need more and better mass-transit options.

Is anyone else in a similar quandry?

Playsinthedirt20, I have a similar situation. I live in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, and there is no good transportation system here. The train is okay, for going into Philalphia. I'm also just outside of Trenton, NJ, so I have access to NJ trains as well. As far as buses, they only run about every hour (I don't even know what time they stop) and a ride on the bus could take 3 times as long as driving by car.

I'm a therapist and work at a private practice and community agency. Many of my clients I see in the community (homes, school) and have to drive to all of those appointments. I do have a company car, so fortunately gas costs are covered, but I still have to drive.

So for now, I do the best I can when driving.

Sarah

We basically have no reliable public transportation in Florida . Thanks to continuing tax cuts , the infrastructure is crumbling or being cut entirely . Heat is a big factor down here and often walking or biking is not an option year round . We often have no choice but to drive .
Lowering our gas mileage is important . Less driving , fewer fill-ups , using alternatives and staying home can send a message to oil companies . If only it were that simple !

Because gasoline expands in heat, one can get more gas for a fill-up if one buys gas early in the day, before temperatures have gotten hot. When the gas is cool, one gets more gas for each gallon because the gas is not in an expanded state.

Lorna

I drive a Camry hybrid which gives feedback on mpg per tank. I have fun monitoring it during every outing and try to increase the number in any way I can. As Playsinthedirt mentioned, the things that make a difference are the speed, acceleration, and amount of coasting. Whenever I see a red light ahead, I immediately start coasting. It never ceases to amaze me how many large vehicles, seeing the same red light are bent on accelerating all the way to it before putting on the brake. Although drivers know they will have to stop, they get impatient behind me, wanting to race to the light. Acceleration is frequently the same thing. Even if there is a another light up ahead, or a jam, it seems many drivers accelerate rapidly to that point and then put on the brake. Go figure.

I also wanted to mention that since I started buying the gas with ethanol, my average mpg per tank has gone down from approx. 37-38mpg to about 34-35mpg. A significant decrease in mileage that has been frustrating to me.

Anna

Okay. I admit it, I drove an average of 80 mph on the highways. I was impatient to get to places, was tired of all the grannies on the road. . .I would tail end a car in the fast lane to pressure it off to the right to a slower lane.

Yup, I was that person. But high fuel costs made me realize that saving the extra minute or two to get to a place really wasn't worth it. I slowed down to 70 mph. . .to 65. . .and now I cruise around 60-65 mph on average. . sometimes even to as low as 55mph. My car has a window where I can watch my MPG average for a trip. . .and all I do is obsessively watch it while I drive. I find my car can average about 19-21 mph city and about 31-34 highway. So whenever my average dips below my range. . .I either slow down or I try to accelerate more slowly.

I live close to work, but I don't live close to my boyfriend. He lives about 40 -45 miles away, so a roundtrip visit to him is what? 80-90 miles. Not including commuting to work. . I probably average 250-300 miles per week? (We used to see each other every day or every other day. . .now I only drive to him once or twice a week).

DRIVING SLOW and COASTING I find are the best ways to conserve gas. I try not to break while I'm driving on the freeway, and instead I let go of the gas pedal and sort of cruise along slowly. Accelerating eats up most of the gas, but breaking heavily also brings your MPG down as well.

By doing this, instead of filling up two-three times a week (this is crazy maniac 85mph me), I can go on a tank of gas for an entire week! Yay!

That is an amazing testimony, Mandarinmint. I bet your blood pressure is more stable now that you aren't in a hurry all of the time. Terrific!

Lorna

I have heard on the radio and t.v. and from friends and family the following :

off-shore drilling = 1% increase in available gasoline in 10 to 12 years

properly inflated tires = 3% more gasoline - immediately

proper car maintenance and tune-ups = 4 % better gas mileage as
soon as you pay the bill

True or not ? I'm not sure . I do know that # 2 & 3 can't hurt and only help !

Anyone finding that turning off the A/C helps on saving gas mileage?

Definitely, rake4leaves, the ac eats up the gas, so does the heater. Gas is down to $3.89 a gallon for super in New Mexico. I buy from a station which doesn't add ethanol. I'm of the opinion that ethanol eats up gaskets causing more expense for car maintenance.

Lorna