Increased Mileage

There seems to be no chance at all that gasoline prices will ever return to the levels prior to the current conflicts in the Middle East; therefore, we ought to keep in mind the ONLY thing that we can really control: our own gas mileage. These may not seem new to readers, but most are worth repeating and thinking about:

1. Buy a good used sub-compact car that gets great mileage and use it for the daily commutes to work and store, etc.

2. Car-pooling and sharing the cost of gas or charging per passenger, per ride, will reduce your own costs.

3. The tried and true mechanic’s advice: Tune-up and keep the tire pressures at optimum.

4. Driving habits we can recall from drivers ed: Reduce speed, accelerate gradually, slow down before traffic signals require you to brake.

5. Maximize each trip efficiency: Do more things each trip and plan your route in advance.

6. Don’t carry extra weight around in the car – ditch the spouse and kids!