The word seeps into everyone's thoughts or conversations just like gasoline vapor. It's like Florida's weather. Everyone talks about it, but most people believe there isn't very much that can be done.
Drivers keep track of gas stations that sell the cheapest gas. aroundcentralflorida.com provides gas maps with a partnership with Gas Buddy. Use our gas map. Prices are hovering above the $4 per gallon mark. Commuters often drive out of their way to save a few cents. When a fill-up costs $50, who wouldn't want to save money on a gallon of gas?
Mark Roth, an Internet marketer in Saddle River, N.J., had a different idea when he launched GasEdge.com.
Roth says the free Web site helps drivers decide if the trip across town to a cheaper gas station will actually save them money.
For example: It's 8 miles to your regular station where your grade of gas is $4.05. Friends say another gas station 8 miles away in a different direction sells gas 10 cents cheaper per gallon than your usual spot. At 30 miles per gallon and a 15 gallon tank, GasEdge.com predicts a savings of $1.50.
The New Jersey resident says New Yorkers lineup at gas stations in New Jersey because gas is cheaper in the Garden State. "I wondered if it was worth the drive." Roth said in a telephone interview.
He offers few opinions about the reasons for high prices. "It could be supply and demand. It could be oil speculators, but in the long term it doesn't matter. Prices are going up," Roth said.
Of course, you can always save gas by not driving. Many are carpooling to work, and some are using Central Florida's alternative transportation.
Drive efficiently
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. Speed can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer, so you may save more than gas money.
Fuel economy: 5-33 percent
Savings: $0.20-$1.35/gallon
Savings are calculated with gas costs of $4 per gallon
Observe speed limits
Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer, MPG decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
The cost of a speeding ticket puts a burden on your wallet.
Fuel economy: 7-23 percent
Savings: $0.29-$0.94/gallon
Lighten your load
Don't keep heavy items in your auto or truck. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
The cost of a speeding ticket puts a burden on your wallet.
Fuel economy: 1-2 percent per 100 lbs.
Savings: $0.04-$0.08/gallon
Avoid excessive idling
Idling engines get zero miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines waste more gas at idle than cars with smaller engines.
Rapid acceleration
Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.
Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from a dead stop. Don't push the pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. Slow acceleration allows the carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
Use cruise control
Using cruise control on the highway helps maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Try overdrive
Overdrive reduces engine speed. Overdrive saves gas and reduces engine wear.
Frank Girard, the owner new Web site, pump-less-gas.com, wants his site to become a clearinghouse for the latest information on gas prices, alternative fuel, energy efficient autos and driving tips. Try their free newsletter. It's packed with information.
And for the real gas geeks, try the RSS feed.
Free gas!
Many merchants are using the lure of free gas to drive business to their doors. It often involves a sales pitch. If you can endure the pitch, then you may save on gas.
Freegasparty.com offers a $100 voucher in exchange for offers from online merchants. Some require a magazine subscription and your credit card gets instant credit.
Read the terms carefully to avoid unexpected surprises. Your mileage may vary. And if you are giving gas cards to your employees, check the IRS rules.
The nitrogen myth
Many motorists are filling their tires with nitrogen at a cost of around $10 per tire.
The airlines, NASA, the military and NASCAR stock cars all use nitrogen to inflate tires because of high tire pressures, high temperatures and other risks. Nitrogen is more stable and not subject to expansion because of heat. The inert gas won't produce fiery explosions.
Nitrogen may help reduce tire wear slightly because tires filled with nitrogen deflate at a much slower rate, according to Consumer Reports.
Bank Rate Monitor, another consumer publication, draws the same conclusion.
A good site that takes the opposite point of view on nitrogen in passenger car tires is www.eng-tips.com, which is run by engineers.
Conclusion: Both magazines recommend watching tire pressure closely to minimize tire wear and save the $40.
Q: Do those fuel efficient cars make a difference?
A: Choosing which vehicle to buy may be the most important fuel economy decision you make. The difference between a car that gets 20 MPG (miles per gallon) and one that gets 30 MPG can add up to a significant amount of money.
Fueleconomy.com has a great test that gives specific tips on you make and model.
Q: How efficient is my car?
A:Click for details about your car or car you plan to purchase.
