Here's a piece from MSNBC that lists two ways you can lower gasoline prices. It's an interesting piece because it's MSNBC's response to "so how would you lower gas prices?" questions from readers after MSNBC bashed the idea of a one-day boycott of gas. Instead, MSNBC says that the only way to really decrease gas prices is to decrease consumption -- and they have a couple ideas designed to do just this. Their suggestions:
Simple Step No. 1: Stop driving like a jerk. You punch the accelerator the minute the light changes and cruise at top speed until the last possible moment before hitting the brakes hard at the stop sign. Aside from annoying other drivers on the road, you’re wasting a lot of gasoline. How much is a lot? According to fueleconomy.gov, you can save from 5 to 33 percent. The folks at Edmunds.com, a car buying Web site, tested the idea, running a 50-mile course with four different driving styles from “aggressive” to “moderate.” Average fuel savings: 31 percent.
Simple Step No. 2: Slow down. Look, we’re not talking about crawling along in the right lane backing up traffic. We’re talking about staying within the posted speed limit — or even a little over it. If your car has a tachometer, try keeping it as low as possible in the highest gear. That’s where you get the best mileage. According to fueleconomy.gov, your gas mileage drops off sharply once you blow past 60 mph. By cutting your speed you can save 7 to 23 percent, depending on how heavy-footed your usually driving style.
Hmmmm. Are they talkin' to ME? ;-)
Seriously, I'm not a gas-it-and-go sort of guy, so #1 really won't help me out. However, I have been known to go faster that the speed limit on occasion -- especially on those 9 1/2-hour drives back to Iowa (that I now make in 8 1/2 hours.) This could save me a little, I know, but for me I'd gladly pay a bit extra to save an hour.
All this said, gas prices are starting to even get to me. I filled up my small SUV and paid $40 the other night. Ouch! Thank goodness my wife drives a Toyota Corolla. It gets something like 40 mpg. I guess we've got it set up so my car gets us through the snow and hers saves us some money on gas. ;-)
Unfortunately, both of these hit me right between the driving goggles. (Does anyone still wear driving goggles?)
And I'm guessing you mean that your wife's Corolla gets 40 mpg, not mph. Although if she keeps it to 40 mph, she'll probably get pretty good mpg. :)
Posted by: Rich Schmidt | May 21, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Ha! Thanks, Rich, I fixed it. ;-)
Posted by: FMF | May 21, 2007 at 03:10 PM
My 2000 Corolla gets a little over 30mpg. I can't believe that right now we're being charged the highest gas prices ever... adjusted after inflation. This is ridiculous. I might just end up buying a vespa.
Posted by: Dy | May 21, 2007 at 04:24 PM
How about "drive less"? I could drive a tank to work and use less gasoline than some other people who drive a prius from the suburbs.
Posted by: Kurt | May 21, 2007 at 05:01 PM
I too have a Corolla, and I get about 39 mpg in mixed (mostly city) driving. But I'm amazed at all the people that drive like maniacs, accelerating quickly up a steep hill, only to have to stop at the light at the top. The key is to simply drive smoothly. Accelerate slowly, and try to anticipate when you'll hit the next light red, or when traffic suddenly slows in front of you.
Posted by: Rick | May 21, 2007 at 05:04 PM
$40 for a SUV?! I pay $50 to fill up my little Volkswagen here in California!
Posted by: Christian Finance | May 21, 2007 at 10:21 PM
If you can do it, the obvious solution is just stop using the car.
There are plenty of other ways of moving around, public transport, bicycling, walking etc.
Posted by: tehnyit | May 22, 2007 at 02:32 AM
Go ahead and get that Prius. Its constant monitoring of gas mileage also has helped me to drive my minivan a lot more efficiently.
Posted by: John | May 22, 2007 at 08:09 AM
CF -- Ha! It's a very small SUV. ;-)
Posted by: FMF | May 22, 2007 at 08:16 AM
I can't believe how expensive gas is getting here in North Carolina. Everybody's talking about it here, but I know it's even worse in other parts of the country. We wanted to see if people really are changing their habits here, or making other adjustments in their daily lives. We took a survey, and the results are very interesting. 70% of drivers said they have changed their driving habits in the last six months and plan to drive less this summer. 60% said they've put off making other purchases. Responses on economic questions were mixed. We also asked a bunch of questions about health, smoking, current events, and a fun one about which TV show should be canceled.
Posted by: lindsey | May 22, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Why do you need an SUV? (asking earnestly, not to be a jerk)
Posted by: anon | May 22, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Anon --
Main reason: 70 inches of snow a year on average here -- we've had as much as 120 since we moved here.
Secondary reason: Because I haul lots of stuff (bikes, basketball gear for the whole team, soccer gear, construction materials, etc.) around/take trips with a full family and need the room.
Posted by: FMF | May 22, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Sounds reasonable! I just see lots of guys tooling around alone in giant Ford Explorers and always wonder -why?
Posted by: anon | May 23, 2007 at 07:45 PM