Not again

Well they are back, high gas prices. We all know with inflation prices go up but the gas prices do it quickly and often, (wish I could too, well often not quickly so much) and frankly it sucks. The thing is looking at the actual prices it doesn't really seem too bad a few cents one week a few more the next. Unfortunately those small increases get multiplied about forty five times at least for my average fill up. I recently filled up my car to the tune of sixty three dollars, this was a record in my car owning history(both had the same size tank) and I don't like it. The sad part it I am likely to do very little to help myself out in actually saving fuel. Why you ask, well it's no fun. 

  

 There are many many fuel saving devices out there and you guessed it pretty much all of them are utterly useless. Check out this popular mechanics article for the most popular ones. Real fuel saving tips buy an appropriate vehicle. If you are single and never leave the city limits do you really need a full size truck? If you simply want it that's cool but don't expect pity from me. I do drive a small car, well a MINI car that is. Did I buy it for fuel savings? Nope. Sure it is pretty good compared to similarly fun cars but I wanted it because it's a blast to drive. That being said if it truly had really bad fuel economy there is a chance I would of had to pass on it due to simply not being able to afford it. 

Next tip drive a properly maintained car. Has your check engine light been on for three months? Get it checked out. Does it run rough? Yep go get it fixed. Check you tire pressures regularly, hell I am guilty of not checking as much as I should. 

Don't carry around useless junk, sure on a road trip it's good to have some emergency gear but around town you can leave your zombie apocalypse gear at home, well keep the bat just in case. 

Now the most important on, the one I will for the most part ignore. Don't drive like a jack ass. Jack ass here is not about cutting people off and not properly signalling but accelerating quickly and not coasting when coming up to a red light.  Now I don't expect everyone to take a kilometre to get up to the appropriate cruising speed but maybe a little longer than the length of the intersection might help. Same for the coasting, no need to idle  to far away from a red light but if you know you will have to stop take your foot off the gas, don't go for neutral though coasting actually burns no fuel at all neutral is pretty much the equivalent of zero miles per gallon.

Now I make myself sound worse than I actually  am here yes I generally take off from a stop quicker than the average driver on the street but I really don't cruise any faster, nor do I redline every gear every day, but I do give it the beans at least once per outing, sometimes more. But it's worth it because it puts a smile on my face. 

 A few more things to think of, did you buy a gas guzzler and now you regret it? Well do the math before getting rid of it. The last gas was in this price range I heard many people on the news and what not talking about getting rid of their gas guzzlers in favour of a much more fuel efficient model. Sounds like a good idea but it's not always that simple, how much are you losing on that trade in? A thirsty vehicle will be worth less when gas goes up. That nice new fuel sipper well everyone wants one you are not getting a deal. Are you really changing your ways or will you be back to big once the prices go back down?(we all hope they go back down) 

How about a second beater car for your commute? Well don't forget all the associated costs of ownership of having a second car.

Lastly those talks of boycotting big oil in various ways to "teach them a lesson" well they simply don't work. Even if we did manage to cut way down to the point of prices falling they won't stay there if demands peaks again.