Save Fuel USA

Slow It Down

2011-05-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Not looking to buy a new car, but still want to get higher mileage?
Are you getting the optimal mileage from that new vehicle that was advertised?

So walking and bicycling is not an option, but you want to get the most mileage from you daily drive.

Here is a good test. Drive the way you normally do and record your mileage for the next two fillups.
This way you can take the average of the two tank fulls.

Then for the next two weeks, really work to slow yourself down on the highway and easy on the gas pedal. You may want to take a little more time to get to work so you can honestly slow it down.

If you have a lead foot you will most likely see a difference in the number of miles you get from one tank full.

I just experienced this myself on the highway. I reduced my speed to about 68 MPH from 75 MPH on a stretch of highway where the speedlimit is 65. Of course I felt like I was standing still as most everyone was passing me left and right. I did get the results I was looking for and increased my mileage by 5 - 10%.

I was a bit nervous at how most people were passing me at that speed. I also felt I was holding up traffic when groups of cars and trucks would pass me. I know I should not feel that way, as I was driving closer to the speed limit than most everyone else.

I do watch my speed now and try to reduce the "Lead Foot" syndrome that seems to aflict most drivers today. Must be that most drivers can afford todays fuel prices????

Survive the Next Oil Price Spikes

2011-02-24T05:39:00.000-08:00

Here it comes again. Trouble in the Middle East resulting in higher oil prices. With the current uproar in the oil producing countries a barrel of crude is already hitting the $100 mark. The price at the pump has been steadily inching up. I would not be surprised if gas hit the all time highs of $4 per gallon.

Those of you who have been following the advice of this blog and others on how to reduce your fuel consumption will be coming up ahead in the future months. If you have not been working on saving gas better let off the pedal and brush up on your Hyper-Miler skills.

Maybe that giant SUV you just purchased may not be that cost effective for you. Instead looking into a hybrid will become a more real possibility. All electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf better up their production.

Of course there is always public transportation. And for those adventurous enough may dust off the old bicycle and start getting in shape for their daily commute.

Who knows how long this "crisis" will last. Will we learn lessons? Will Alternative fuel vehicles become more mainstream as a result? Only time will tell.

Is an Electric Vehicle in Your Future?

2011-02-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

With electric vehicles finally making showroom floors the likely-hood of seeing an electric vehicle passing you by on the road is a real possibility. How about you owning an electric vehicle? I know some are still over priced, but the reality is here and now. These are electric cars you can currently purchase here in the U.S.:

The Nissan Leaf MSRP is $32,780. With the federal tax incentives you could pay as low as $25,280. Is that something you can afford?

How about the Chevy Volt? Well that's not fully electric. But it is a big contender in the electric car market with an MSRP of $40,000.

Then there is the Tesla. High performance electric car with long range. Although an exciting car, with an MSRP of $108,000 it is definitely out of the price range of the average driver.

There are other manufacturers working on limited production electrics such as the Tango by Commuter Cars Corp, the Venturi Fetish and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

There is sure to be an electric vehicle out there for you to try out. Owning one is still not for the masses.

Paying to Learn How to Drive Green?

2010-11-29T06:06:00.000-08:00

This is a tough sell here in the the U.S. Especially because once they have earned that license there is no additional learning needed here.
Unless you are required because of your job or your trade to get additional training, learning to drive ends for most people when they get their license.
Yes there are limitations to a license when a sixteen year old first gets their license. But there is not additional formal training required to get the "upgrades". When you reach a certain age, depending on the state you live in, you get the "no limit" driver's license.
People do shell out money for the Defensive Driver Course. But this is usually due to having too many speeding tickets or a person's job requires them to take the course.
In Britain there are driving schools that concentrate on teaching you how to drive green. Yes, people pay to learn how to: not stomp on the gas, use the brakes responsibly and check the air pressure in your car's tires.
Interestingly enough, they actually teach you to drive more economically by paying more attention to the road ahead...far ahead, that is. By gauging the traffic and the upcoming lights you either speed up or slow down accordingly.
Maybe there is more to than just learning to drive to get the most mileage out of your vehicle. There is also the safety aspect in being aware of all traffic ahead. (Don't even think of reaching for your cell phone.)

Driving Responsibly still Best to Save Gas

2010-09-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

With so many different fuel additives and oil enhancers out there, I still believe the only way to save gas, as you are driving, is to drive responsibly.

Many of us can not or will not give up the comforts of our mini vans or pickup trucks whether it is because of work or a large family. Neither can we expect people to pay an arm and a leg for one of the newer and more fuel efficient models. So aside from keeping up on the oil changes, correct tire pressure, and other maintenance pieces we preach about on this blog, one can drive in such a way that it does not waste fuel.

You lead feet out there...you know who you are... taking it easy on the gas and the brakes will save you a couple of miles per gallon. And it is cheaper than the additive you were contemplating.
Driving the proper speed limits also saves in gas...and avoids speeding tickets!
Abusing the brakes not only wears them down, but also forces you to have to apply more gas.

Bottom line. it is cheaper to adjust your driving habits and properly maintain your vehicle's fluids and tire pressure than compensating by adding unknown fluids.

The choice, as always, is yours.

Save Fuel for the Summer Travel Season

2010-07-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

Not driving a hybrid or an alternative fuel vehicle, but still want to get the maximum mileage out of your vehicle this summer?
Travel light: remove all those extra pounds you carry in the trunk of your car. Less weight puts less stress on the engine therefore giving you optimal mileage.
Keep the tires at proper pressure: under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance causing the engine having to work harder thus decreasing mileage.
Wash and wax your car: This deceases wind resistance on the body of the vehicle and therefore giving you better mileage.
Reduce A/C Usage: Many upgraded vehicles have automatic temperature control in the cabin. You keep it at that constant 70 degrees no matter what the weather outside. This means you are always driving with your A/C on. Sometimes more sometimes less, but it is always on. Having the A/C on reduces mileage significantly. On cooler days and when you are just driving around town (not on the highway/freeway) turn the automatic temp control off and see your mileage get better.
Do proper maintenance on your vehicle: Change the oil, change the transmission fluid, and lubricate appropriate parts. This reduces friction to internal engine parts allowing for optimal mileage.
On the road, keep your speed as constant as possible and drive within the speed limit. You'll get to your destination safely and you'll also reduce your fuel consumption.

Join the World for Earth Day 2010!

2010-03-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

I know this is not fuel efficiency related, but appropriate non-the-less.
Turn off the lights tonight from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Many communities are joining in to promote this year's event.
Be a part of a global event.

Thank you.

Auto Shows are featuring fuel efficiency???

2010-03-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and auto makers have their annual car shows where they feature their latest creations. The place where the general public can preview the new models that every car manufacturer has for sale.
The annual auto show in Rochester New York is similar. It is not quite as large as the one in Detroit or in Los Angeles, but none the less a good venue to see what new cars are on the market all under one roof.
As the show was announced on one of the local TV stations, the show was dubbed as "featuring fuel efficiency". They happen to be standing in front of the new V6 Ford Mustang that is supposed to get 29 MPG on the highway. Then, I guess the Camaro V6 gets similar MPG numbers.
OK...so the true 17 to 19 MPG that you get is good???
OK I digress.
My point is that they should have been featuring fuel economy way back then. I would think the masses want fuel economy. Especially from the "big" 3.
I will need to visit the show to see if the claims are true with respect to featuring true fuel economy.

Chevy Volt to cruise into California NEXT YEAR??

2009-12-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! Finally... Or should I say AGAIN??
OK is anyone else as confused as I am?
Chevrolet is going to TEST the electric vehicle market in California.

I thought this was done already. Didn't they have an electric car already?
Oh yeah I remember they discontinued the EV because hydrogen was supposed to be the next better thing.

So they are coming out with an electric car for the MASSES?
Tell me who can afford a $40,0000 car?

OK so it is not all electric. Then it's a Hybrid?

Whatever it will be I think GM needs to make up it's mind. If they are going to spend the public's money on developing a car, why not try a vehicle that is truly for the masses. Stop worrying what the oil companies want... The EV, back in it's day, made much more sense than the Volt of today.

Who Says the Electric Car is Dead?

2009-11-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

The Big 3 may be a long way from a production ready electric vehicle for the everyday consumer. But in garages people are taking matters in their own hands:

I think electric cars can still be mainstream, but they are not coming from any big car companies.

American Hybrid Automobiles

2009-10-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

So what hybrids are coming out of Detroit?

Well let's see:

Ford has the Escape hybrid, which is considered an SUV.
It has an MSRP of 31,500 and a MPG rating of 34/31.

For a sedan, Ford came up with the Fusion Hybrid.
With and MSRP of $27,625 and a MPG rating of 41/36.

From the Mercury division, Ford produces the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which has an MSRP of $29,995 and gets a respectable 34 MPG in the city. The Mercury Milan Hybrid is a sedan with an MSRP of $27,855 and gets 41 MPG in the city.
Chevrolet offers 3 hybrids for 2009:
For the sedan it has the Malibu Hybrid MSRP of 25,550 and MPG of 34 hwy
Chevy also has the Tahoe Hybrid which has an MSRP of 50,455 with an estimated MPG of 22 hwy. For special orders Chevy also offers the Silverado 1500 Hybrid. A nice truck that has an MSRP of $38,020 with MPG rating of 22 mpg hwy.

The Cadillac division created the Escalade Hybrid which does an estimated 20 MPG hwy with an MSRP starting at $73,425.

On the GMC side GM comes in with the Sierra Hybrid and the Yukon Hybrid, where they both produce MPG figures of 22 hwy. The Sierra truck has an MSRP of $38,390 and Yukon an MSRP of $50,920.

The Aura Hybrid and Vue Hybrid are products of Saturn for 2009. The Aura is a sedan which gets a respectable 34 MPG hwy along with an MSRP of $26,325. The Vue is Saturns compact SUV which has an MSRP of $28,160 along with 32 MPG hwy.

Chrysler finally entered the Hybrid market in 2009 with the Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and the Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid. The Aspen has an MSRP of $45,270 and an EPA estimate of 20 MPG hwy. The Durango comes in with an MSRP of $45,040 and MPG of 22 hwy.\

If my count is correct, that is 14 hybrid vehicles with MPG figures ranging from 20 to 41 city or hwy. This is pretty impressive coming from the Big 3. Of course there are non-hybrid vehicles out there with better MPG figures at a much lower cost. What do you spend your money on?

Back to basics of saving gas.

2009-10-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted on this Blog.
I decided to give this site a rest and concentrate on my other blog and web sites.

So how are you doing on saving fuel?
Are you still interested in saving fuel? I sure hope so.
If you are like most people, you do want to save money.
And one place you do have control over how much you spend is in the amount of gas or diesel fuel you use.

If you are in the market for a new vehicle buy one with better mileage.
And there is a wide variety to choose from whether import or domestic,
Hybrid or a diesel. You can even stick with your current make and model. Most newer models of the old badges are now more fuel efficient. They may even offer a hybrid or flex fuel version.

Of course this all depends on your own needs. Do you like performance or just fuel economy. Or do you want both.

Then there is also the need for space. I have a family of five. I can't very well expect the kids to sit all next to one another when they can have their own seat in a mini van. Mini vans have come a long way, but are still not the most fuel efficient due to their large size. My options are limited there.

Change your driving Habits
Because I am not in the market for another vehicle, I have changed my driving habits to get the most mileage out of my vehicle.
I try to combine errands as much as I can.
I drive my wife's better mileage vehicle if she is not using it.
Use of the cruise control is becoming a habit.
You can also revisit my post on Hyper-miling.

Stop Driving and try public transportation or use your bicycle.
For many in suburban areas with limited to no public transportation routes this just is not an option. I for one live in an area that has limited public transportation and the roads are not bicycle or even walk friendly.
As a matter of fact per Walk Score my neighborhood is rated a 12 out of 100. It is considered a car dependent neighborhood.
I just have to be conscious of the car usage.

My thing is, if you can save gas you can save money. If we can all save gas we may get out from under the dependency of foreign oil. And that is the ultimate goal here.

Thank you.

Speaking of better airflow...

2009-06-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever used the Tornado air management system?

They claim to increase airflow into the engine, thereby giving the car better mileage and increased horsepower. The cost of one of these units is $69.98 plus tax and shipping.

The company says the Tornado will increase your gas mileage by an average of 1 - 2 MPG.
They say it is also easy to install along with no further maintenance required.

My sister had one of these installed on their Nissan Frontier 4 by 4. She says that she did see a noticeable improvement in mileage. She did not notice an increase in HP output.

This sounds good to me. I'll have to test one of these units out and see if it works.

We'll have to let you know on a future post.

More airflow = better mileage part 2

2009-03-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

The last post I covered the inflow, but there is also the out flow to take into consideration. I am talking exhaust.

I am in the market for a new muffler so I asked the mechanic at a muffler shop to check the exhaust system and give me an estimate. Well he came back and found that the muffler and the pipe before it needed to be replaced. Of course I asked for an estimate and he said it would cost me over $700 to fix it properly.

It used to be, that all you needed was a muffler to reduce the noise. Then came the catalytic converter, which reduces the exhaust gases coming out. Both the muffler and catalytic converter are required by law.

Exhaust looks for an easy way out. The easier the better. But the exhaust gases have to content with the catalytic converter and the muffler. Both unfortunately create a restricted flow. This also reduces fuel efficiency.

Now, you can increase the airflow with with a high performance exhaust. They even sell a high performance catalytic converter. Of course, they have their draw backs. You get better fuel economy, but it will sound louder. That's why you don't see mini vans with high performance exhausts. Just imagine arriving at a soccer game sounding like you need a new muffler. They however do sound cool on a souped up Honda Accord coupe...ask any twenty-something.

Another drawback is that like other high performance parts, they are expensive. For my application I am looking at a $1000 installation. The mechanic did say that the metal on high performance lasts longer than a conventional muffler. So it would most likely be the last muffler you buy for your vehicle.

So you gain better gas mileage, more horsepower and longevity. Does this outweigh the higher cost? That's up to you to decide.

More air flow = better Mileage?

2009-03-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

Does better airflow give you better mileage?

Mechanics at the dealership always say that a new air filter gives you better air flow and more power and fuel economy. So to keep my mileage up I regularly check my filter and change it when needed.
Now how about a high performance air filter such as K & N? They claim to help increase the airflow into the carburator or throttle body of fuel injected system. This in turn gives you more power and in most cases better fuel economy.
From the reviews it would seem that most people will get a slight power boost and better fuel economy. Installing a high performance air intake kit supposedly makes this process even better.
Some of the companies that make the kits are K & N, Weapon-R, and AirAid.
The cost of these units for my Honda van range from $126 to $361.
Is it worth it? If it guarantees better mileage I'd say so.
But I am not to sure of the increased engine noise. I don't want to draw too much attention to the van at soccer games;-)

Best mileage vehicles... Not from the Big 3

2009-02-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

So what are the best gas mileage vehicles out there for 2009?
I still need to drive a family around so electric is not an option yet.

According to fueleconomy.gov the Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle for 2009. It is rated to get 48 MPG in city and 45 MPG on the highway. The MSRP is in the range of $22,000 to $24,270.

Next is the Honda Civic Hybrid getting 40 MPG in the city and 45 MPG for highway driving. With an MSRP of $23650 to $26,850 it is a more expensive option.

Then there is the Smart car. The fortwo Coupe and fortwo Convertible are rated to get 33 MPG city driving and 41 MPG on the highway. The MSRP for these little cars is $11,990 to $16,990. Not bad of a price. Too bad it's too small to carry the family.

VW's 2009 Jetta TDI and Sportwagon Diesel are rated to get 30 MPG city and 41 MPG on the highway. They have an MSRP of $22,270 and $23,870 respectively. Run it on biodiesel and reduce your impact even more.

Another Toyota entry is the Yaris which getes 28 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. MSRP range for this car is $12,205 and 15,880. This is a good contender for our next get around town family vehicle.

Rounding out my most fuel efficient list, from accross the pond there is the Mini. This has always been a nice looking car with 28 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. It has an MSRP of $18,550 and $28,550 depending on the model and options.

Others models that getover 20 MPG, but under the 28 MPG in the city are the Nissan Versa, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Honda Accord.

I am curious as to why aren't there any models from the Big 3 on this list. Probably the same reason why they have lost their Big 3 status.

Let Alternative Fuels Take Over the Market.

2009-01-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

Alternative fuel vehicles are here to stay as evident at the Detroit Auto Show.
How well they are going to do will depend largely on how the general public accepts them. If they cost too much no one will buy them. If the range is not suitable to the average consumer they won't buy them either. If there is no infrastructure in place to refill or recharge the car, people will not want to own one.

Then there is this downward spiral of gas costs. Average cost of gas across the country is under $2 per gallon. One journalist was saying that the general public is going back to it's old habits of abusing fuel usage. Are we all that easily swayed? Do we mind conserving even if prices are way below our means?

I would think that with the current state of the economy we have no choice but to conserve. Jobless rates are increasing. Money is tighter than ever. Conserve! Reduce!
Let the alternative fuel vehicle market take shape. It will be better for all of us in the long run.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

Here's to more fuel economy in 2009!
2008 was a tough year for everyone. The economy, housing market, banking industry and car industry topping the list. I'm looking forward to better things in 2009.
New President.
New Congress.
New Laws.
What else?
My short wish list for 2009:

Electric vehicles getting a longer range and becoming more affordable.
If it has to be gas powered make it fuel efficient with reduced emissions.
Easier access to Biodiesel in all states.
Reduced dependence on foreign oil.

Of course the first three should take care of the last one, but things are not always that easy. I guess going at it one thing at a time with some measure of success will be good for everyone.

Even More Electric Cars?

2008-12-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

On my previous posts of electric vehicles I listed 6 internationally available electric vehicles. Who says there is not enough choice out there? I am still coming across additional manufacturers churning out these zero impact people movers.

The Zenn Motor Company based out of Canada produces the Zenn electric car. It is a full electric model that has a regulated top speed of 25 MPH and claims to have a range of 35 - 50 miles on a single charge. They are sold in North America. I am unable to find a price for this vehicle. I'll have to see if I can contact a dealer to get a base price.

Mini-E is a product from BMW's Mini Division. The Mini-E is relatively new in the electric car field and looking for 500 buyers to be the "guinea pigs". The car is supposed to have a range of 150 miles and is capable of keeping up with it's gasoline brothers on any street or highway. We'll have to see how far the Mini takes this project. The cost of the Mini is similar to the gasoline versions, about $28,000.

If gas prices stay as low as they are today in the US, these electric options will be a tougher sell. I'm hoping that the Electric Vehicle market really keeps at it for the sake of Carbon reduction. It would be nice to have electric cars be a viable means of transportation, making it more mainstream than side show.

It's Not Just the Tire Pressure, but Type of Tire Also

2008-12-15T05:49:00.000-08:00

Did you know that different types of tires can give you better fuel economy.
Back in the day of the bias ply tire your did not care about fuel efficiency as gas was rather cheap.
Radial tires came on the scene back in the early 70's and gave vehicles better handling. Radial tires also gave you better fuel economy due to a better design and less road resistance.

Of course now, unless you own a classic car that looks better with the original bias ply tire, most vehicles come with a set of radials. And they come in different shapes and sizes. From high profile to low profile. All season to winter tire. And each will affect your fuel economy.

Tires that have the least rolling resistance also get the best mileage. Independent non-profit organization GreenSeal.org rates tires according to it's fuel friendlyness. They performed indendent testing of multiple tires on rolling resistance using a dynamometer. These tires also have better treadwear, which means they last longer. This efficiency does come at a cost: braking distance is longer.

So what tires do I recommend? I would leave that up to you to check out consumer reports
or the Automobile Protection Agency of Canada.

More on Electric Vehicles

2008-12-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

This is a follow up on electric vehicles that are currently in production. These are not concept vehicles and are being sold somewhere in the world. Unfortunately not all electric cars made can pass the rigid DOT and IIHS standards here in the U.S.

One electric car that can be found on the nation's highways is the Myers Motors It looks like a fun vehicle that is equipped with Lithium Batteries. With a top speed of 76 MPH and a range of 60 miles it is a strong contender to make a dent in the automotive market. Then the $29,995 price tag stops most people dead in their tracks. This, I believe, is not in the budget for your average driver. They would have to bring the cost down below $20,000 to get me to own one.

Then there is the ZAP company, which sells the ZAP Xebra Sedan. In addition from the same platform they also have a truck model:the ZAP Xebra truck. The sedan and the truck have a top speed of 40MPH with a range of 25 miles. Their cargo truck, the ZAP Truck XL can carry a payload of about 770 lbs. But there are no specs available on their web page.
The ZAP sedan retails for $11,700 making it a viable solution for many local consumer trips. (including this writer) Its truck model sells for $12,500. (Another good candidate) ZAP does have an upper scale model in the concept stage, the ZAP Alias, due out in late 2009. Its MSRP of $35,000 will show them few and far on the road.

Last but not least in this series is the REVA. They are made in India and are sold in India, UK and Malta. REVA is also being test marketed in US, Nepal, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, Norway and China, according to their web site. The Reva has a top speed of 80KPH and a range of 80 Kilometers. I was not able to find a price for this vehicle.

This is a very promising list. There might just be an electric vehicle in my future. Of course I think the toughest part is selling people on the speed and range. An electric vehicle with a 100 mile range and average highway speeds is not within the budget of your average Joe. I guess I'll have to take a look at the subcompacts for now.

Bring on the Electric Vehicles

2008-11-25T07:25:00.000-08:00

I think it is time to have electric vehicles go mainstream. To save money on gas and reduce CO2 emmissions, there is no reason for you or I not to own an electric car or electric scooter. They are out there.

What prevents most people from buying an electric vehicle?

Cost? OK some can be expensive.

Range? On average, people work within 10 to 15 miles from their place of work. Most EVs have a range of 30 to 40 miles before needing a re-charge.

Well here is the low down on the what and how much. A list of who makes and sells electric vehicles. I'll also include prices and where they are available. Some may not be available yet in the US.

Vectrix makes high performance electric scooters that are designed to go on the freeway according to the manufacturer. The range is about 55 miles. I was unable to find the cost of their electric scooters. They are in production and selling world wide.

GEM aka Global Electric Motorcar is a subsidiary of Chrysler Corporation. They sell 6 different models of their GEM line each with different available options. Their top speed is 25 MPH with a range of 30 miles. Prices range from $7,395 up to $14,180 for their 6-passenger GEM e6 model. The GEM is available in the US, Canada, most European countries and Southeast Asia.

Gizmo is made by Nevco. It is a single passenger vehicle designed for commuters traveling under 45 miles per trip. Its top speed is 45 MPH. The base price for the Gizmo is $12,000. The Gizmo has been in production since 2000 and sells in the US only, as far as I can find on their web site.

These look like they would be fun vehicles to drive. Pricing meets many a budget and make for a very viable product. I wonder how well these models would do in the cold of Upstate NY.

Stay tuned for another installement of Buying Electric Vehicles.

Average Gas Prices Broke $2

2008-11-21T06:59:00.000-08:00

According to AAA, average gas prices across the US has broken the $2.oo barrier. Wow! If the price stay this way through next week the cost of our visit for our turkey dinner will be cheaper. Not a bad thing.

Just remember to keep up on the other car maintenance chores. Fuel efficiency should not take a back seat just because it is cheaper to gas up. If at all, taking the money you save and putting it toward that oil change you have been delaying would make great sense. How about a new air filter? Maybe some new tires? OK OK I think you get the drift.

I can't help but wonder how long these lower gas prices will last. It would be nice if it could last longer to affect our other living costs also. But I won't bank on that.

How Good or Pure is the Gas You Buy?

2008-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

You always hear from some people that they are sold on their brand of gasoline. And that is all they will get for their vehicle. Some people just want to get the cheapest gas. Is there really a difference in gasoline quality from brand to brand. Aren't they all created equal?

I was just at my dealer for service and mentioned that I filled up on really cheap gas at BJs Whole Sale Club. Where upon I got an ear full on how watered down BJs gasoline is and the reason why it is so cheap.

I have a hunch that they may be correct on their assessment as I filled up my motorcycle with BJs gas. Ever since then I have been having trouble with cold starts. Coincidence? I was not getting the same results with the van. On average I was getting good mileage with BJs gas.

Now this car dealer claims to perform it's own independent testing of gasoline from different service stations in the area. They had these tests performed so that when a customer comes in with a fuel issue they can almost pinpoint it to where they last filled up their tank.

Of course, I was curious myself and asked about the other gas stations in the area. The other one that is not recommended is Delta Sonic due to its similar high water content. Mobil was not suggested as it contained a bunch of additives (cleaners). They did recommend getting gas at Citgo, Kwikfill or Sunoco. I forgot to ask about Hess as they are another big player in our area.

Now a good friend of mine swears by Shell gasoline. He claims to get the best mileage with it. Unfortunately Shell does not have any service stations in NY. My friend fills on shell before he crosses the NY border from Pennsylvania. He even fills up his portable gas tanks.

Now I'm not recommending any particular brand of gas, but when you are trying to figure out why your car is running rough or not getting the mileage you should, try a different brand of gas and see if you get better results.

If you have some independent results you want to share please comment. Thank you.

Vote for Change, Vote for Saving Gas

2008-11-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

This is just my reminder to cast your vote in these important elections.

A change of the guard. It could be a change for the environmental landscape.

More tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles?
More Off-Shore drilling?
How about legislation to force automakers to increase the minimum fuel economy of all new cars?
Anything to help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Any of the above must be strongly considered by either candidate.
May the best one win.

Meet Halfway and You Both Save Gas.

2008-10-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

I am always on the search for gas saving tools you can use. My goal is to reduce on the miles you drive and ultimately save on your gas expense.

Want to have extra money for that glass of wine or appetizer the next time you meet your friends for lunch or dinner. How about finding a vacation destination between long distance friends. Save gas and meet halfway between both of your locations. This way you each are only going half the distance.

So how would you find this half way point? Well, you can look on a map or Google the directions and estimate a half waypoint. This would take some time and estimation on your part. Then you need to find the restaurant or hotels within that location.

There are websites that can help make this process a little easier:

One site is: http://www.happymedian.com/ It is an established site since 2005 and allows a user to enter two to four towns representing each person wishing to meet, via zip code or a city and state combination. This information allows HappyMedian to find a location halfway between both places. They then provide the user with a list of various types of places to meet, from restaurants and bars to coffee shops and lodging.

http://www.meetways.com/ looks to help people easily find a halfway point between two locations. It allows you to search for restaurants, coffee shops, movie theatres, parks, hotels, virtually anything that you may be interested in the halfway location. That way you did not need to spend extra time and money driving out of your way for your next meeting. Meetways is available for multiple countries.

One other web site is: http://www.meethalfway.com/ Aside from local connections, this one also looks to attract vacation goers who would like to meet half way for a vacation destination. One problem with this site is that it is geared for the UK only. The site for the US is still under construction.

No matter which site you use, you are helping yourself save money by driving less. Good for you and good for the environment.

Basic Engine Maintenance: The Oil Change Part 2.

2008-10-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

What is the real cost of an OIL change?

As you can see be my previous post you can spend anywhere from $19.99 to $63.00 on a full service oil change. The advantage here is that you do not get dirty and the oil is disposed of for you. When you do it yourself you still have to collect the oil and drop it off at any garage.

Of course doing the job yourself still saves you money. Especially if follow the recommended every 3000 miles rule.

I went out to a discount store and priced out the cost of doing the oil change yourself. Here is what I came up with:
5 individual quarts of the cheap oil @ $2.77 per Qt totals $13.85.
Or you can buy a 5 quart container of the cheap stuff for $10.50.
Then the cheapest filter I found is $3.48. Now the oil filter is a FRAM ExtraGuard. This, in my opinion, is not a bottom of the barrel filter. I could not find any generic filters at that store.
This brings the grand total to $13.98 to do the oil change yourself. Not bad at all. If done every 3000 miles or every 3 months it would cost you only $55.92 (before tax) per year to change the oil in your vehicle by doing it yourself.

When I change my oil I usually get the Castrol brand. This can cost you $3.67 per quart or $16.00 for a 5 qt. container of the plain Castrol oil. I actually use their Syntec blend version at $4.27 per qt. This oil change would cost me a total of $24.83 before tax.

Now if you were to use a full synthetic brand, such as Mobil 1. You would end up paying $6.27 per qt. or $26.00 for the Mobil1 5 qt. container (if available). Your lowest total cost for the Mobil 1 oil change would be $29.48. ($34.83 if you purchased individual quarts)

Do keep in mind that these prices do vary by location and I do not recommend any particular brand. I'm sure we could get into a discussion on which brands are best, but that is better left for the comments.

Robert

Gas Prices Are Falling! Gas Prices Are Falling!

2008-10-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

Well don't get too excited!

Last time we did that gas prices went way up beyond $4 per gallon.

This would not be the time to pull out the gas guzzler and gulp gas to your heart's content. Au contraire my friends.

Keep doing what you are doing. Save your pennies for a rainy day. What comes down will go back up. The downturn in gas prices is merely a product of the financial troubles in the world markets. This too shall pass.

Remember, you are also starting to reduce your CO2 emissions. This is good. This should be continued. Keep riding that bus. Keep riding that bicycle. Don't stop walking. If you were about to buy a hybrid or an electric vehicle, go ahead with the transaction.

Reducing our dependence on foreign oil should be our ongoing goal not a "just because it hurts my pocket book" thing.

Tire Pressure: Can Kill Your MPG.

2008-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

So you are doing everything right in the way you drive to optimize fuel economy. You're watching your starts and stops. Keeping your speed down. The engine runs great.

But you are still finding that something is robbing you of the fuel economy your should be showing... Tires!
If your car does not roll smoothly on properly inflated tires you will lose mileage.

I found that out the hard way:
Last spring I drove all the way from Upstate New York down to Florida on tires that were under inflated by about 7 lbs. I was getting lousy mileage. And I was even using a fuel additive.

I wasn't paying attention to the tires until one of the vacation days I noticed the front tires were showing unusual wear on the outsides. I did not carry a tire gauge, so I could not check to see what the tire pressure was at that time.

I noticed that there is a Honda dealership near the condo we were staying at. I dropped in at the chance that someone would be able to look at my tires.

The service coordinator had some time and was able to check the tire pressure for me. He found them to be at 29-30 lbs. He told me the pressure in the tire should be at 35 lbs.

Man, the tires were grossly under inflated. Thank God he was able to add air up to the proper pressure at no cost. Of course the damage had already been done to the outside of my tires. He even recommended replacing them. I was not ready to do that being away on vacation. I ended up rotating the tires front to back and drove home without incident.

We actually drove home with properly inflated tires and got the mileage we were accustomed to when cruising on the highways.

I now regularly check the tire pressure in both our vehicles, so I know they will not be the "bad mileage" culprits.

To see how much air to put in your car's tires you can check inside the door jam or your vehicle's Car Manual. This will give you the factory recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.

To check the pressure, I use a digital tire gauge, as I had misplaced my old pressure gauge. Both versions work fine. I did manage to find the analog gauge for this picture.

To inflate the tires I use a little portable air compressor. This way I don't have to pay 75 cents for something that should be free. I also do not have to look for an air station as not all gas stations have one.

This shows you that you can't exclude tire pressure from regular maintenance checks.
I won't make that same mistake again.

Idling Your Car or Truck Wastes Gas and Pollutes.

2008-09-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

So how long were you waiting in line at the bank drive-thru?
How many cars were waiting in front of you? How long were you actually waiting before it was your turn? Was your car running continuously while you were waiting there?

Did you leave your car idling, while quickly running in to get your dry-cleaning?
How about that railroad crossing that you had to stop for because a mile long freight train was going by.

Believe it or not while your car is idling (and not going anywhere) you were still using gas. Unless you drive a hybrid that is in electric mode at that time, you get zero miles per gallon when idling. Depending what you drive your can use anywhere from half a gallon to a full gallon of gas per hour of just idling. In addition you are still sending CO2 and othere noxious emissions in the atmosphere.

Ok so let's see how idling affects your car's engine: While you are idle (not driving, but engine is on): You put unusual wear on the engine as the car does not cool well. At higher temps engine oil breaks down faster. This in turn requires more maintenance intervals. With the oil running at higher temps you are also putting additional wear on the engine components.

As you can see long term idling may be convenient for you, but harmful to your wallet and the environment.

What is your current fuel cost?

2008-09-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

What is your current MPG?

To start saving gas you need to know how much you are spending today. What is your daily regular cost of driving back and forth to work? What would your current costs be driving on the highway as opposed to city driving? Do you know what this cost is over an extended period of time? Say a month. Can you get an accurate average cost/MPG?

Once you have this baseline, you can see if any measures you take will indeed reduce your gas/diesel consumption.

Some businesses already record this information as they not only have to record fuel consumption, but also full maintenance of their vehicle(s). But this is a whole other subject.

OK, so how do you figure that out?

Well some of you may have a tool built in your vehicle that can figure this out for you.
This is a trip computer. It calculates the range of a full tank and the average MPG you are getting at the moment. You may need to read your car's owner's manual to set it up correctly. This way you know how to reset the system or zero it out. You can then record this information on your note pad or receipt.

Most cars have a trip odometer, which is the second mileage dial on the dash of your car. Some are digital like mine on the Honda. Some are analog and require you to either dial or push to reset to zero.

You need to be able to record how much gas you get everytime you fill up.

When you get gas you should fill it up all the way until the pump clicks and stop filling. If you do this every time you get gas, the amount to fill will be consistent. This in turn will give you more accurate MPG calculations.

I also recommend getting a receipt every time you fill up. Write the odometer mileage on the receipt. This will allow you to record the information on your pad, spreadsheet or computer at a later time. This also saves you time at the pump.

Now you are recording your mileage everytime you fill up. What do you do with it?

Well we need to calculate and record your mileage/MPG. This is done by taking the number of miles driven and divide this by the number of gallons filled. For some just doing this in your head is great. I need my handy calculator or computer to do this for me. This way I know it's done correctly and accurately. I created a spreadsheet on the computer that does the calculations for me.

For the rest of you a pen, a pad of paper, and a calculator (I tend to be more accurate with one) will do fine.

Now you are recording the mileage information every time you fill up. You can start to see what your average MPG is over a specific time frame. If you record how much you spend you can also start to see how much you pay for gas over time.

In a future post I'll tell you how I automate this process and show you the tools I use.

How real is hypermiling?

2008-09-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me, I am sure you have read or heard about "Hypermiling". Per Wikipedia "Hypermiling" is a term used in North America that refers to a set of techniques used to maximize fuel economy. Those who practice the techniques are referred to as "hypermilers."

Some of the primary techniques they use are:Reducing lead foot start and stops by keeping speed as constant as possible.Use your cruise control as much as possible. Turning off the engine when coasting and when stopped for long periods.

There are even some dangerous moves they do in the name of better MPG such as drafting behind semis and driving way below the speed limit on highways.

OK so this may be a bit extreme, but dialed down a bit these methods can and will reduce your fuel consumption:

Every time you hit that gas or break pedal too hard you have used too much gas to get into that situation. So try easing on the gas. This in turn will ease your breaking. Overall you gain fuel economy and your brakes last longer.

You know, you do not have to use your cruise control on the highway only. I've actually used it at 30 MPH on a long stretch of residential road. It is easier than having to maintain the 30 MPH pace. Also a guarantee not to get a ticket by that cop sitting in that one side street.

Turning off your car's engine while driving 50 MPH down an incline can be dangerous and not my suggestion. But shutting the engine down while you wait at the drive through teller,or while you're waiting for that long train to go by. That makes more sense to me.

Driving to reduce your fuel consumption takes a little thought and can be done with positive results. Hypermiling has good intentions as long as it is done safely.

Basic engine maintenance the oil change part 1.

2008-09-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

OK! OK! This probably is not the first time you've heard this.
It's fall, kids are back to school. Time to do the basic of all car maintenance.

The Oil change!

Have you tried any of those quick service oil change places.
Are they worth it? These are the major players in our area in Upstate NY.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Their service includes up to 5 quarts of Valvoline® conventional Oil, a new Valvoline oil filter, and vehicle lubrication of chassis components according to manufacturer's specifications. Their cost $34.99. For their Durablend service the cost is $49.99. With Valvoline's Maxlife, for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles, the charge is the same as the Durablend Service. For full synthetic service you pay $62.99.

Delta Sonic's Oil Change.
Aside from washing your car they have their own full range oil change menu. For the conventional oil service they charge $25.99. If you get a wash first, the cost of the basic oil change is $19.99. That is a good deal! Then they have a Deluxe and Super package, which uses a synthetic blend and charges $29.99 and $32.99 respectively. They added a fuel injector cleaner to make it "Super". Their full synthetic service includes Mobil 1 and costs $59.99.

Both Valvoline Instant and Delta-Sonic top off all fluids, lube chassis where needed, check air filter, wiper blades, tires, lights, belts, and pcv valve.

Come back for more info on other "instant oil change shops".
Also what would it cost to do it yourself?

What can we do to save on our oil consumption?

2008-08-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

What will it take to reduce our dependence on foreign oil?
Reduce our consumption.
More fuel efficient vehicles.
Alternative fuels such as biodiesel.
Electric vehicles.
More bicycles or bicycling.
Public transportation.

We'll have to explore these alternatives a little more.

But how about the vehicles we currently have?
Are they running in top form? Are they as efficient as they can be?
And then let's not forget our driving habits.

There is plenty to checkout, review and use.