Tips To Fight Rising Fuel Costs by Lynnann Leoni

Saving money and saving the environment can actually go hand in hand. With all the media working to raise awareness, one of the most effective things we can do is find ways to use less fossil fuel. So many options are becoming available, finding ways to make it affordable for everyone to update their vehicles is a big challenge.

We can get a more efficient air filter. They may cost a little more in the beginning, but more than make up for the cost in the fuel savings. Some things we can do are simple and inexpensive.

Take public transportation. Carpooling, taking the bus, riding our bike or walking when possible will save gas and is better for the environment, as well as our health.

Idling to warm up is particularly bad, as the engine needs extra fuel to warm up. After start up, allow your car to idle 15-30 seconds, then drive conservatively until it reaches normal operating temperature. Avoid idling. While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon.

Not only do hybrid cars give you immediate savings at the pump, the U.S. government and your local state offer tax breaks for people who use gas-saving cars. Converting to a hybrid car is a good idea. There are now ways to convert your gas powered car to a water powered car with kits and instructions available online.

While this may sound extreme, since we spend most of our driving time to and from work, shortening this daily trip will save money and fuel. Reduce your commute. Moving closer to where you work.

Combine trips. If you can do several short trips in one longer trip, you will save fuel and time. Make lists to avoid having to go back to the store.

Air resistance goes up as the square of velocity. The power consumed to overcome that air resistance goes up as the cube of the velocity. Rolling resistance is the dominant force below about 40 mph. Above that, every mph costs you mileage. Drive under 60-65 since air grows exponentially denser, in the aerodynamic sense, the faster we drive. To be precise, the most efficient speed is your car's minimum speed in it's highest gear, since this provides the best "speed per RPM" ratio. Slow down.

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For a better option, please see Lynnann Leonis' valuable free information page about converting your vehicle to a water powered car