It seems there are numerous complaints these days about the high price of gasoline. Without going into all the arguments about inflation-adjusted prices, there are a few things drivers can do to reduce their costs. Drivers should ask themselves the following questions:
– How aggressively do I drive? A heavy foot wreaks havoc with gas mileage.
– What kind of car do I choose to drive? Do I really need that gas-guzzling SUV or 250-horsepower sports car?
– Could I buy a less expensive car and devote more dollars to operations and maintenance? It doesn’t make sense to buy a $300,000 house if you can’t afford to heat it.
– Do I keep my car’s engine tuned up? A well-tuned engine burns less fuel.
– When I’m considering buying or renting a new home, could I find something in a desirable neighborhood closer to my place of employment?
– Could I utilize public transportation?
– If I must drive to work, do I share rides with family members, neighbors or business associates?
– Do I sometimes walk or ride a bicycle when it is feasible?
– Do I use a higher grade of gasoline in my vehicle than recommended in my owner’s manual? Premium gasolines are more expensive.
If you’re complaining about gasoline prices but doing nothing to reduce your costs, then you’ll just have to grin and bear it. If you’re currently doing everything you can do to save money and gasoline, then you have my sympathies. Maybe higher prices at the pump will allow oil-exploration companies to meet and solve the objections of environmentalists and use the added economic incentives to search for, extract and refine more oil from U.S. soil.
