| Introduction | | | | brakes you are eventually using more gas. Look |
| I was a really stupid kid. In addition to getting | | | | ahead and stop acceleration and coast to the stop |
| mediocre grades in Spanish class, not listening to | | | | sign or red light. Do you live in the city? If you are |
| superiors, and turning down Lucy Haines for a | | | | at a red light, is it likely there will be another one |
| date (she is now a model), I would venture out to | | | | in 10 seconds? Why are you racing to that light? |
| a local farm and partake in late-night cow tipping | | | | The guy next to you may feel cooler because he |
| with my friends. | | | | beat you to the next light, but you will feel cooler |
| Sure, "boys will be boys," but it did generate bad | | | | when you have more money in your pocket (to |
| karma for me. Let me explain. When I got a bit | | | | buy those $300 designer sunglasses of course - |
| older I realized the error of my ways and got a | | | | no, don't do that). |
| lot smarter. I studied hard in college, got a decent | | | | No loitering allowed |
| job, and invested in a Smart Car. It is safe and | | | | Did your wife or girlfriend just go "run in" the |
| energy efficient. I worked hard to shed my | | | | store? Are you leaving the car on because you |
| stupidity. | | | | think they will be "right back?" Do you know you |
| The karma police did not forget my old stupidity. | | | | are wasting gas? Turn your car off if you are |
| One morning I strolled out of my apartment to | | | | going to let it sit idle for more than a couple of |
| find my Smart Car tipped over on its side. Some | | | | minutes. The theory that it costs more gas to |
| would begin having mixed feelings of anger, | | | | start a car again than to sit idle ranks right up |
| bewilderment, awe, self-pity; but, I did not engage | | | | there with explosions in your stomach from pop |
| in any of these emotions. I knew exactly why | | | | rocks and cola (don't do it!). If these allegations |
| this had happened. The cows had their revenge. | | | | were true than cows can cast spells... And ladies, I |
| The irony is I had installed a sensor for tip-over | | | | am not being biased, it is not that men don't |
| protection. Too bad they don't make sensors that | | | | enjoy shopping as well, it is just that women are |
| alert you of committing acts that will generate | | | | too smart to sit and wait for us with the car on. |
| bad karma. | | | | Heavy load |
| Why did I relate my history and Smart Car | | | | Every 100 pounds can reduce your fuel economy |
| anecdote? I needed to segue into my article and | | | | by 2 percent. Are you living out of your car? |
| to illustrate its purpose. Some positive karma is | | | | Rent a storage space instead. Also, get that drum |
| obviously needed in my life; so, with no further | | | | set and sound equipment out of the trunk; your |
| ado, I will relate some tips to better economize | | | | band broke up well before Metallica cut their hair. |
| your fuel purchasing. | | | | Clear out anything from your car that does not |
| Take another mode of transportation | | | | need to be there. |
| The day my car was tipped I walked to work. I | | | | The AC does turn off |
| figured it would give me time to reevaluate my | | | | I have a friend that uses the AC for company. |
| situation. Walking is not that bad. I figure you could | | | | We are getting him help, but I digress... Unless it is |
| walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation | | | | extremely humid, turn off your AC. Running the |
| instead of driving. You can get some exercise, | | | | AC forces your engine to work harder. Save |
| save money, and save wear and tear on your | | | | your engine to burn gas efficiently. You know |
| car. Visit the Public Trans. Associations Web site | | | | those cold packs? Try sitting on one while you |
| to see how convenient it is for you. | | | | drive if you are hot. My friend gave me that tip...I |
| Get a new car | | | | know, we are getting him help. |
| More and more fuel efficient cars are produced | | | | Ask for directions |
| each year. Monster trucks are no longer en vogue | | | | I am not doing a comedy routine here about how |
| (now there's Ultimate Fighting), so look for a | | | | men never want to stop and give directions, but |
| hybrid or other fuel-efficient car. What ever | | | | do you know why that bit is so cliché, |
| happened to the electric car? | | | | because it is true. Instead of driving your car and |
| How prime is premium? | | | | anxiety levels extra miles, why not just stop and |
| Use the grade of gasoline that your car needs. I | | | | ask for directions when you are lost. Navigational |
| know you're proud that you can afford the extra | | | | systems have helped with this conundrum, but |
| forty cents a gallon to buy premium (which equals | | | | there are still those (you know who you are) who |
| $8 for every 20 gallons), but if your car does not | | | | refuse to rely on asking for directions. These are |
| specifically need it, there is no benefit. | | | | the same people who call those 800-numbers for |
| Slow down Speedy Gonzales | | | | their astrology fortunes. |
| Wind resistance increases with increased speed. | | | | Don't go tired in checking your tires |
| Let me do some math for you (don't worry, I | | | | Deflated tires will cause more friction on the road |
| majored in English). Every ten miles per hour of | | | | and in turn, cause your engine to work harder to |
| speeding costs you 15% in fuel economy. So, for | | | | acquire speed. Check your tire pressure every |
| every 1,000 miles driving (gas being about $2.50 a | | | | week to every other week. You can get the gas |
| gallon and getting 25 mpg) you would save $15 by | | | | attendant to check; they appreciate checking oil, |
| going 10mph slower. I know it is a lot of math | | | | washing windows, and gauging tire pressure for |
| (eww), but think of this over the course of a | | | | no additional money (hint, hint). You can find the |
| year. | | | | pressure for your car on the driver-side door |
| Chill on the hills | | | | threshold or in the manual. |
| Don't you feel like going faster up hills? Well, this is | | | | Take your car for check-ups |
| a stellar way to burn a lot of gas. Maintain the | | | | Proper car maintenance is vital to fuel efficiency. |
| same speed. You will save yourself a plethora | | | | Bringing in your car for regular checks will keep |
| (told you I majored in English) of gasoline. The | | | | your fuel efficiency potential optimized. This is |
| conversion changes from getting 25mpg to like | | | | something that is underestimated by most |
| 4mpg when accelerating up a hill! | | | | because they fear that they will have to spend |
| See into the future | | | | money by taking the car in for a check-up. The |
| I have a friend who loves to race people to the | | | | longer you wait, the more likely something may |
| next red light and stop sign. He is the big winner | | | | go wrong and wind up costing you more money |
| of wasting gas. Every time you employ your | | | | in the end. |