How do you conserve fuel?

SS MAYFLOAT · Aug 17, 2005

Since we are all complaining about the price of fuel. What are you doing to conserve? Family car and truck I changed the air filters. Pumped the tires up to 40 lbs on the car, 65lbs on the truck. Mow the yard every two weeks vs every week (I like that one) Using only 1 vehicle to take to the lake for the weekends instead of 2. Wait until there is a large list to go to the store instead of running out for just a few items. Cool off on hot days in the creek instead of taking a ride for the AC. Put weed killer around stuff I normally trim with the weedeater. Anyone have any other ideas?

snapperbait · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Changed my plug wires and plugs.. seems to have helped some.. My actual lawn is about the size of a postage stamp.. A gallon of gas usually goes bad before I can use it all.. Xeriascape..

For me, a trip to the bank is a bit long, so I try keep myself enuff pocket $$ to make a trip to the bank every other week or longer... The 21footer's tranny's broke....

So no need for fuel there, at least for the time being... I'm looking seriously at riding the bike to the shop, and cutting back on making deliveries.. 2 and a half miles each way, home to shop.... Maybe not now in the summer, but in the fall when it cools off a bit..

roscoe · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Drought here, so only mowing every 2.5 weeks, insteadt of every 5 days. Changed out most of my lightbulbs to the compact florescent. Do most if not all shopping while on the way to, or returning from work. Start fishing from the dock if possible, using the kicker instead of the 70hp. Reduced cubic footage being heated in the house and the animal building. Replaced leaky rotted patio door. Order more stuff online instead of driving 90-100 miles to buy it. Drive the baby Blazer more often, instead of the van.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Run 4 vehicles every night. 100 mile round trip on each. Have to have the gas. Thinking about cutting the ProMax back to 87 octane, but Merc says not!!!

pjc · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

maintance of the truck and car, "wifes"..ride the harley to work weather permiting..42 mpg from the FXD.

magster65 · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Keeping everything in tune and only boating 6 days a week.

ZmOz · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I don't. I still make way too many 1 item trips. My truck still regularly sees 5000+ RPMs. (gotta clean out the carbon!

) I still startup random engines just to hear them make noise.

When you think about it, each trip, or other use of an engine really only cost a few bucks more than it used to. Sure, I don't like paying that much for gas, but I don't like NOT using gas even more. It's not like I'm on welfare....

SS MAYFLOAT · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Seems like lately everyone takes off real slow, putts along and takes forever to get where they are going. I like getting there quicker and then the engine is not running near as long. My company asked me not to use my AC.

Finally after 7 years of driving a hot van without AC I have it now and they don't want me using it. I didn't say I wasn't using the AC, I said they didn't want me using it. They shouldn't complain. The new van is getting 4 more mpg than the old Ford. I must be getting sick,,,,,,I'm starting to actually like this Chevy!

JasonJ · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I stop by the store in the work truck after work on the way home (boss doesn't mind, he likes the advertizing). No 1 item trips. I accelerate more slowly. When fishing, I cruise a bit slower, and I fish closer to the dock instead of cruising 20 miles to fish. I don't mow as often, and use the walk behind mower more now that the lawn is dry. I only fill the tank halfway on the boat if I am not going far. I only fill one tank on my truck to reduce weight. I also buy less impulse items like dvds and take-out food, and pack my own lunches, which frees up a lot of cash for gas. Seeing as gas is in the 2.60s in my area now, I know I will have to make some more changes if it hits 3.00 a gallon. Gas was still in the 2.40s the last time I bought gas, if this keeps up I might have to pull the boat out of the water early, I won't be able to afford to use it. People who say the prices are not affecting average people and how they spend clearly have their heads up their arse. I know too many people who earn a lot less than I do who are having to carpool, walk, or ride bikes to get to their jobs. I even have started to see where people are just not working anymore and going on welfare, its cheaper to stay home than go to work. They can't afford to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle, they can't afford to gas up the vehicle they do have. They have no back-up money in case of emergency because it is all going into their gas tank. This is becoming a self-perpetuating problem. I will tell you I have seen a significant increase in people on motorcycles, and less motorhomes. But people still just have to go get the SUVs, they just can't live without them. Oh well, we deserve it....

treedancer · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I am consolidating my trips to the store more than I used too .Am making a list of what I need and a lot of my shopping is in bulk at Costco. When my boys are home I spend more time running around turning off lights after them than I used to. Costco has some of them floresant lights might check that out when I go the next time. Most likely have to buy a wheel barrel full though. Don

Mark42 · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I bought a gun. The gun greatly reduces the cost of operating a vehicle: The gun enforces the new $100 single use license fee for opening my gas tank to fill it.

Cranky18 · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Driving 60-65mph to work. I drive about 80 miles a day round trip. It is easy in the morning at 5:00am, but in rush hour on the way home it is hard to stay in the slower lanes. I'm not on welfare either, but I don't want it to come to that.

kenimpzoom · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I too drive 80 miles each day. Have tried to let cruise control sit on 68-70 MPH. I used to drive the truck to work, now wife drives the truck around town and I drive the 4 banger Acura Integra. When going to my grandmother bday party, my extended family all rode together, instead of taking our own cars. Ken

Link · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I aint fishing from no bank or dock. Banks are for casting into... but we have been fishing more using electric motors on smaller lakes. Even kayaks which can be kick. And like everyone else, planning where I need to go and do as much as I can on each trip.

JasonB · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I've replaced about 1/2 of the regular bulbs in the house with compact Flouresecent. The full-size truck is staying parked except for a short 10 mile round trip to church on sunday just to give it some run time. Making sure the house is as effecient as possible. AC still comfy, but up a degree or two more than normal. I drive 54 miles round trip to work. I'm now car-pooling with a co-worker as much as possible and i drive my commuter truck much more effeciently. Normal MPG is 21. By watching my shifting, starting, and speed, I'm up to averaging over 24.5mpg. About to make a tonneau to see if I can get more. Increasing MPG has become a challenge. Not bad for a 13yo truck with 170k miles that is EPA rated at 22. Using the Wife's 30+mpg car for most trips. The boats are staying in the shed more.

brother chris · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I do absolutely nothing to avoid spending money on gas. I have to do what I have to do. High gas prices are not going to keep me at home. Maybe I might try to do two things in one trip, but I always try to do that anyways......see I do nothing different. I am not rich...no even in the slightest, but I do what I have to do, when I have to do it and nothing is going to stop me from doing what I have to do, when I want to do it!

SpinnerBait_Nut · Aug 17, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Amen brother chris.

dolluper · Aug 18, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

All the toys need gas, so I guess they are just worth more when they have a full tank

Old Norton needs a clutch awaiting parts to arrive Steury runabout transom being replaced Cutter runabout needs transom Hydro 50hp Merc just perfect and flying fishing boat 9.5 evinrude humming cheap cheap on gas 58 Chev Apachee 350 LT just sucking the gas 46 Chev Chiefstar 6 banger real cheap on gas Suesuki 400 Savage dirtbike cheap on gas 96 Caprice 350 LT parked real cheap now 02 Chev 1500 daily runner And the cheapest on gas the wife's 92 Olds Cutlass Wagon "she pays the gas" and I get to drive it for free

oddjob · Aug 18, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

I drive like the rear-end of my vehicle is gonna go at any minute.....makes a big difference.

DJ · Aug 18, 2005

Re: How do you conserve fuel?

Brother Chris wrote:

I do absolutely nothing to avoid spending money on gas. I have to do what I have to do. High gas prices are not going to keep me at home. Maybe I might try to do two things in one trip, but I always try to do that anyways......see I do nothing different. I am not rich...no even in the slightest, but I do what I have to do, when I have to do it and nothing is going to stop me from doing what I have to do, when I want to do it!

Ditto!

How do you conserve fuel?

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