Fuel Saving Tip - Know Your Route

Sitting in traffic with your car running is one of the easiest ways to waste fuel. We all hate the stop and go traffic. It's summer and hot, the car's air conditioning is blowing full blast to try to keep you cool while you sit on the interstate in a traffic jam... blah!

Better prepare yourself when you leave the house. Check the local traffic report and hopefully you can avoid sitting in traffic.

Here are a few links of interest so you can be better prepared.

• MSN Local Traffic Report
• Traffic.com
• Traffic411
  

Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government

I stumbled upon a good statistical website from the United States Government regarding Gasoline and Diesel Fuel prices. There are good historical graphs, a price breakdown by region, and a percentage breakdown of where the money goes when we purchase a gallon of fuel.

http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp

How can employers help?

I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are on this subject. Recently, I've heard various news reports from around the country about employers or even mayors helping to lessen the burden on motorists.

Here are some thoughts I have (or have read) on how employers can help...

1. Compressed work week. Four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.
2. Subsidize the cost of public transportation for employees that can use it
3. Help organize employee carpools
4. Allow for employees to telecommute or work from home
5. Provide a bicycle sharing program
   
6. Fuel allowance for people who are required to come into the office
   

Driving Technique - Pulse & Glide

According to Wikipedia, Pulse & Glide is defined as:

"This method consists of accelerating to a given speed (the "pulse"), followed by a period of coasting (the "glide"), and then repeating the process. The glide is most efficient when the engine is not running. Because some cars inject extra fuel when the starter is activated, this was originally best accomplished with a manual transmission. Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, are ideally suited to performing this technique as well: the internal combustion engine, as well as the charging system, can be shut off for the glide by simply manipulating the accelerator."

I can't recommend this on busy interstate systems, but many different tests have been done on both hybrid and non-hybrid vehicles to prove its benefit.

Here are some interesting links regarding Pulse & Glide...

• Driving technique: exploring 'Pulse and Glide'
• Pulse and Glide plus Warp Stealth in the Prius II for maximum PE...
• Pulsing and gliding your way to better fuel economy
• Pulse and glide driving - MPG benefits
  
• Q: How do you get 116 mpg (US) in a Metro XFi? A: Pulse and glide.

Tax Incentives

Many people are aware of the tax credit available for owning a hybrid vehicle. But, were you aware that you can also receive a tax credit for owning an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV)?

Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Current Tax Credits
Tax Deductions for AFVs placed in serve before 2006

Hybrid Vehicles
Current Tax Credits
Tax Deductions for hybrids placed in service before 2006

Electric Vehicles
Current Tax Credits

You can find information on State and Federal Incentives and Laws here.

New MPG Ratings

According to the www.fueleconomy.gov website, the EPA has changed the way it estimates the mileage per gallon (MPG). Starting with the model year 2008, the new estimates will reflect the effects of

• Faster speeds and acceleration
• Air conditioning use
• Colder outside temperatures

These tests lower MPG estimates for most vehicles.

You can compare new and old MPG estimates by going here.

Change your driving habits - 3 tips

Most of us have to drive daily. There's not much we can do about it. However, there are things we can change when we are behind the will that can save you from having to fill up as often.

1. Stop driving so fast - There are many proven statistics on this subject so I will not restate all the numbers. Driving fast burns a lot more gas. Sure, it's more fun... but so is having the money saved to buy something when you want it. Four weeks ago, I made a conscience effort to no longer exceed 70 MPH in my daily travels. I travel the interstate, almost exclusively to and from work. This is the true ~ by decreasing my speed from 70+ MPH to 60 MPH (occasionally 65), I went from 28 MPG to 32 MPG in a 2006 Volvo S40 (2.4i 5-cylinder). This has been consistent for the last four weeks with every fill up. There are a few other things I probably did in conjuction with the decreased speed, but I'm pretty certain this was the biggest factor. In fact, I just returned from a business trip that was 290 miles each way (Indianapolis, IN to Rockford, IL). I drove all interstate at moderate speeds and I averaged 36.04 MPG.
2. Accelerate more slowly - Getting up to speed eats a lot of your gas. That's why typical city driving consumes a lot more gasoline than highway. After a stop light turns green, take your foot off the brake and let the idle of your car start the momentum (for automatic transmissions). Slowly press the accelerator. Do not take off like a rocket. I usually take a number on my tachometer (RPM gauge) and try my best not to exceed it. For me, I pick 3,000 RPM usually. To stay at or below that during acceleration, you can do a few things... if you can manually shift, do so right before hitting 3,000. On automatic transmission cars, you can lightly let off the accelerator and it usually will up-shift at that time. My car has an automatic transmission but allows for manual shifting too. I usually just shift up right before I want to and I have no problems. Be careful, though, you don't want to get into too high of a gear at a low speed because your vehicle can bog down and it can affect the life of your engine.
3. Avoid coming to abrupt stops - The more often you stop, obviously, the more often you have to accelerate. Try predicting stop lights ahead of time. If you are a quarter mile away from a red light, take your foot off of the gas pedal and coast. If you are lucky, the light will be green before you get to it and you can pass through the intersection without having to stop. When you stop, you are burning fuel but going no where. Being more aware of your environment and potential stoppages can really help you from burning so much fuel. Please obey all traffic laws... do not coast through stop signs because you don't want to waste the fuel to accelerate out of it. Especially out on an old country road :-) I'd never do that.