There are lots of reasons people are reducing their gasoline consumption these days. For some, it’s pure economics. A gallon of unleaded gasoline costs $3.90 at the gas station nearest to my house right now, and filling up costs $50 or more. Others are compelled by the environmental, public health and other benefits that come when we drive less. No matter the reason, reducing gasoline use can make our lives better. Some of these tips are basic and pragmatic. Others require a little more effort, but you may find they end up improving your life.
1. Make sure your tires are propertly inflated
If you’ve ever bicycled on underinflated tires, you know movement is sluggish even if you’re pedaling hard. The same is true for cars. When tires are underinflated, it takes more fuel to go the same distance. So next time you’re at a gas station, check your tire pressure. If they’re lower than recommended, head over to the air pump to inflate. (To find the right pressure for your car’s tires, check the sticker inside the driver’s side door or your owner’s manual.)
2. Buy efficient replacement tires
When it’s time to replace car tires, rather than buying the cheapest, invest in ones that deliver the highest value. The low up-front price can be misleading. Efficient tires might have a slightly higher price tag, but pay for themselves many times across the life of the tire.
3. Drive gently at reasonable speeds
Aggressive driving not only increases your risk of an accident, it also wastes fuel. So to help conserve gas and reduce the risk of an accident, drive gently, use cruise control and observe speed limits.
4. Use your car’s eco and the auto start/stop modes
Many modern gas cars have settings you can use to boost fuel economy. To help save gas, use your car’s “eco” setting. If you have auto on/off start, make sure that function is not disabled.
5. Remove racks or cargo boxes from your roof
Cargo on the roof of your vehicle increases drag, which lowers fuel economy. If you have a rack or box on your roof that you’re not actively using, take it off to conserve fuel.
6. Combine trips
A little bit of planning to combine trips heading in the same direction can save time and money. So, make a list of errands and map out the most efficient route to avoid unnecessary mileage and backtracking.
7. Try walking or biking
Many Americans need cars to get around, especially in rural areas where destinations are far apart. That being said, if you’re trying to conserve gas, one step to consider is to walk or bike more. Try it one or two days a week or for the trips where it’s easiest. From there you can work your way up. After doing this a few times, you might find that you appreciate how being active outside — on bike or by foot — reduces stress, enhances concentration, and makes you feel better.
8. Consider taking public transit
Now’s a great time to explore transit. PVTA has its own trip planner on its website, and bus routes are also integrated into Google Maps, which can help you find the best route and where to make connections. For longer trips, there are also transit options that can get you to Boston, New York or Washington D.C. via Amtrak or the Peter Pan bus.
9. Seek out carpools
Carpooling basically means riding with other people who are going to the same location. It can be a huge fuel-saver because even just carpooling with one other person reduces your combined fuel use in half compared to if you were both driving. And who knows, you might make a friend.
10. Make your next vehicle electric
This is one way to potentially avoid the gas station completely and charge your car at home. Electric vehicles are far more energy-efficient than gas powered vehicles, and are increasingly powered by renewable energy. Homeowners with solar panels can use power gained from the sun during the day to charge their vehicle overnight.
The recent jump in gas prices reminds us that gas-powered transportation leaves us all over a barrel. Now’s a good time for all of us to be finding ways to reduce gas consumption – not only today, but for the future.
Johanna Neumann of Amherst has spent the past two decades working to protect our air, water and open spaces, defend consumers in the marketplace and advance a more sustainable economy and democratic society. She can be reached at columnists@gazettenet.com.