Hawaii WAHMs Blog: Hawaii Gas Prices

Showing posts with label Hawaii Gas Prices. Show all posts

May 23, 2008

Hawaii Gas Prices Getting You Down?

Here I am, grumbling again, about gas prices. Yes, the cost of fuel is getting me down! The last time I checked the Honolulu Star Bulletin poll, it showed that 317 out of 674 voters (0r 47.03%) would continue to drive no matter what gas costs. I'm not included in that group. Many others are already changing to other mean of transportation. I'd like to be in that group but haven't figured out a "convenient" way to do that yet. For those of us who are constantly on the go -- doing chores, driving and picking up kids/family members from activities around the clock and hauling around canopies, coolers, bikes, etc. to events, the thought of giving up our vehicles seems like an impossible dream. In the meantime, we can make use of these fuel saving tips provided by HawaiiGasPrices.com.

Avoid High Speeds: As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.

Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard: By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated: Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

Use A/C Sparingly: When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.

Keep Windows Closed: Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

Service Vehicle Regularly: Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.

Use Cruise Control: Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

Avoid Heavy Loads: Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.

Avoid Long Idles: If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.

Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle: When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.