You have heard it said that we are living in the “Information Age.” However, for many of us, you can say that we are in “Information Overload.” There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not sent an email from a well-meaning friend or associate that contains a warning, a story or a suggestion that is just plain baloney. So, your friends here at the North Sac News would like to help you out by debunking the bunk. This month, a friend of mine asked me about how to save money at the gas pump, if that is at all possible. This is truly an issue that hits all of us where it hurts, so here are some facts and fallacies when it comes to fuel economy.
Getting gas on Wednesday is cheaper: TRUE. That’s because the prices jump for the weekend, so avoid the station like the plague Friday through Monday.
Running your AC will waste gas: TRUE and FALSE. The Air Conditioner in your car does require energy to run, thus using gasoline. But, rolling down your windows increases the air resistance on your car, which can also cause you to burn more gas. The rule of thumb is “windows down in town.” When you hit the open road, crank up the AC.
Turning your motor off at red lights will conserve fuel: TRUE. Idling for 10 seconds uses the same amount of gas as starting your engine. Turn it off, baby.
Filling up in the morning will get you more bang for your buck. TRUE, but really FALSE. This is just plain physics. Generally, the cooler a liquid becomes the more it will contract (until, of course, it freezes), meaning you theoretically can fit more gasoline into your tank at colder temperatures, i.e. morning verses mid-afternoon. However, gas station tanks are very large, typically 30 feet long, 10 feet in diameter, and are 6 feet below the surface. A change in the ambient temperature above ground will do very little to affect the temperature of that volume of gasoline. The bottom line is if you do save money, it will be pennies a year.
Gas-saving devices like The Tornado will increase your MPG: FALSE! Many different consumer agencies, from CNN to Consumer Reports, have tested these gimmicks and found them to be a scam. Don’t waste your money.
The reality is that gasoline is getting very expensive. While it is a necessary part of life to drive, we all have to be mindful of our budgets. To that end, here are some additional gas-saving tips:
Check your tire pressure. Running on underinflated tires will increase the surface area of your tire on the road, increasing your coefficient of friction. In other words, it will cost you money.
Keep your engine tuned: A well-oiled machine will be more efficient that one that is back-firing $4.00 a gallon gas out of the tailpipe.
Trim some fat: Check your trunk for items that are weighing you down. You can probably leave your snow chains home for a few months.
Plan your trips: Stack your errands so you only have to travel to a certain part of town once a week. Consider ride-share programs for work or school. You can even carpool with a neighbor to the grocery store.
Surf before you drive: Check out websites that will point you to the cheapest price, like http://autos.msn.com/everyday/GasStations.
Check out our ongoing series for more Truth Sleuth topics. If you have been scratching your head about an uncertain subject, contact us at submit@thenorthsacnews.com.