Saving Money by Driving Slowly

Saving Money On Fuel

If you have any frustrations over the present gas prices don’t think that you are just one voice in the wilderness; nay, you have jolly good company!  You can meet them at pumping stations, where practically 100% of the drivers who pull up for refilling will share your sentiments. But, all are helpless about it.

What can you really do about it? Form a consumer group and show your resistance to the price hike by refusing to buy this commodity. Am I right? Haven’t you also read that somewhere in economics? Nuts, you may do it with most other commodities, but not with gas because it is the flagship example they give for commodities with an elasticity of demand almost equal to zero. Surely, there may be something you can do? So, let’s see.

How Do You Save Money On Gas

It is true we cannot change the price of gas, but we can change the quantity we buy through various manipulations such as keeping the car at home and using public transport or buying a smaller vehicle easy on fuel. They are easier said than done. After plying by public transport for two days you will get sick of it due to the innumerable disadvantages compared to using your own car.

Smaller cars are now more in demand and hence more expensive and conversely larger cars are less in demand, which means you will have to dispose of your automobile for a song and buy an alternative more fuel friendly vehicle at a very high price. So those two options are out and a third option is to drive a little slowly to economize on fuel costs. Now let’s see how that works out:

When I talk of slowing down, what immediately strikes your mind maybe speeding tickets and accidents. Very true, but there is another aspect to it related to reducing fuel costs.

Many drivers are accelerator happy even when driving within city confines. Even after seeing a red traffic light ahead or a vehicle ahead slowing down for whatever reasons, he won’t let go of that pedal, resulting in having to stop the vehicle with a screech of brakes to avoid knocking whatever is in front. What you should do instead in the circumstances is to take the foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast; in which event you would conserve on fuel and braking system, both. With some luck, the green light may just come on as you draw nearer the traffic light and you would have the advantage of being able to continue by accelerating from the forward momentum you are already having; thereby conserving fuel once again than by having to stop from a zero speed had you had to stop at the traffic lights.

The situation is quite different on highways where you don’t have to stop and start at frequent intervals as in towns. You can save fuel dramatically on highways compared to cities, by averaging around 55 mph. It is estimated that achieving speeds above 55 mph would result in fuel being consumed at ever increasing rates culminating at about 25-30% more at a speed of 75 mph. Incurring a 25-30% more on every mile you drive at 75 mph is a crime at times when driving at 55 mph might serve your purpose just as well.

Your impatience can cost you dearly, though there may be times when the extra cost is justified due to actual urgency. Otherwise, it is only a needless waste of money that can be diverted for more useful purposes. Not only would you be wasting money unnecessarily; but also inviting traffic tickets and accidents through your irresponsible attitudes to driving. 

Remember to ease up on your accelerator pedal always except on occasions you are compelled to speed for genuine reasons. That is one of the best ways to keep your spiraling fuel costs on check.

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Drive efficiently to reduce gas consumption