Revised
2006.05.06 Rev G
Created 2001.06.04
How to save gas? There are three areas where gas consumption can be saved. General attitudes towards transportation, car choice & maintenance and driving habits.
When you buy your next car, please think environmentally. This is where you can make the most impact on your gas consumption. Public transportation not only takes your car out of the traffic snarl, but it reduces pollution. If you use public transportation, then you can really think about what you need as a personal automobile for other use. SUV's are so, well, common, don't you think? Ford recently found that over 85% of SUV owners NEVER take their monster off road! A mid (or even full sized) sedan uses much less fuel than an SUV or minivan. Don't believe SUV's have an impact? Please read:
SUV's increasing Washington DC Pollution levels (Washington Post, July 8 2001)
Or
maybe you believe SUV's are safer? Read this!
It is not likely that everyone can practice all of these tips or habits all of the time. I hope that MOST of you can practice MOST of these tips and habits MOST of the time. I do. You shouldn't be surprised that making at least some of these adjustments is not hard at all.
By the way, if you are an American Citizen reading this page, please consider writing your congressman or senator and tell him that you are against George W. Bush's energy policies. His policies are aimed at free expansion of consumption (which generates profits for his friends in the oil patch) rather than conservation, efficiency and protection of the environment. Tell 'em! If you believe in Dubya's bullsh*t, then please read the monograph by Dr. Nering that appears several pages below or go to the next page for gas saving tips.
I was born in Alberta so I'm ashamed to report that they are the number one exporter of oil to the US. Sure, the US need it; Alberta has it, so let the oil and money flow. Well, uh, except a couple little things: First of all, the exports to the US are growing while Alberta's oil fields are producing progressively less drilled oil. So how do they do that? With increasing tarsands production. Proven reserves second only to Saudi Arabia. The hitch is that to extract tarsands and make oil you need energy. What kind? Clean natural gas. So you take really dirty heavy tar and use natural gas energy to extract the heavy (really heavy) oil and more natural gas to convert the heavy oil into oil that can then be refined into the usual polluting products. At $60 - $70 per barrel this is highly lucrative, so to hell with the huge greenhouse emisions from the process. After all, money is money and that lubricates a lot better than any other substance known to man. It's really sickening and absolutely no surprise that Albertans are anti-Kyoto.
e-meil: alan dot browne at videotron dot ca
Disclaimer: These tips are distributed freely without charge or profit. The tips above are my own opinion. They are based on various and many sources and my own experience and common sense or otherwise as referenced. I am not responsible for actual performance improvements being realized as a result of following the advice/tips above. I am not responsible for damage to your vehicle or property or other vehicles or property as a result of following or attempting to follow the tips above. I am not responsible for injury or death resulting from any person following or attempting to follow the advice or tips above. Driving safely is the responsibility of the driver.