Three Gas Saving Mileage Tips
by Wes Fessler

Gas prices are escalating out of control and have become impossible to ignore. A few pennies here or there were smugly shrugged off in the past, but now it seems that prices are jumping up by dimes and quarters. The effect on families is tangible and is intensified with every trip to the gas station. Nobody knows how high the prices will soar, but the time has come to do something to ease the burden.

One way to ease the burden is to drive in a manner that reduces fuel consumption and thereby decreases the expense of gas. Driving to save gas requires a conscious effort and takes some of the convenience out of driving, but it can reduce the amount of fuel used and the amount of money that is wasted.

There are several changes in driving that can be made to save gas, but we have chosen a simple approach to keep gas saving simple and convenient. When too much attention is devoted to saving gas, one may risk paying too little attention to the road and compromise driving safety. Our simple approach is easy to remember, and therefore it is easy to do and keep doing.

The Family Fun Shop approach to saving gas is as simple as "Go, Slow, and Flow."

"GO" = Accelerate Slowly from a stop, and pick up speed over a longer than usual distance. Also when passing others or increasing speed for any reason, do so gradually when possible.

"SLOW" = Slow down. Gas prices give everyone a real reason to drive the speed limit. Use your instrument panel (speedometer and tachometer) to help you drive at a rate that your engine likes.

Use that tachometer. Many people who have a tachometer in their instrument panel don't know what it is for, much less how it can be used. For the purposes of saving gas, using the tachometer is very simple. Instead of allowing your engine to rev at high and low extremes, try to find a steady rate of RPM (rotations per minute). Watch the needle (or if you have a digital tach watch the numbers) and try to minimize big ups and downs by adjusting your pressure on the accelerator. Steadiness and consistency on the tachometer at a level that is not straining the engine will reduce gas consumption.

"FLOW" = Drive Smoothly. Drive in a manner that promotes continuous motion of your car and minimizes stops.
Anticipate traffic signal changes. When approaching a red light, ease off of the accelerator early and "coast" toward the light. If you approach a signal that has been green for some time try to anticipate the best way to approach the light. If you can make it to the light safely before it changes do so (without speeding of course); but if you believe you will not make it on green, ease off of the accelerator early. Smoothness is the idea. Minimize stops (which will give you no miles at all) and avoid sudden stops or bursts of acceleration.

To sum it up remember: "GO, SLOW, FLOW" and keep it just that simple.

GO = Accelerate slowly
SLOW = Slow Down
FLOW = Drive Smoothly

By following this method you will save money for your family without becoming fanatical about the process. It is simple enough to modify your behavior and improve your gas mileage, but it can be done without drawing odd or angry looks from others on the road.

For other useful family ideas visit us at www.familyfunshop.com