Self-imposed Rationing

One of the most important things we can do to help the environment is to consume less petroleum. Obtaining it is disruptive to the environment, burning it causes pollution, and of course, our supply isn't going to last forever. How can you help? You could get a more fuel-efficient car, perhaps even a hybrid, but if you're anything like me you don't shop for new cars very often! You can also try to reduce the amount you drive, for example, by walking, biking, carpooling, or taking public transportation. Ideally we would all do this, but of course it's not always possible.

Even if you have to drive a gas guzzler a hundred miles a day, you can still strive to use as little gas as you can get away with. Here are some tips:

1. Keep your car well maintained.
If your car's engine isn't working as well as it could, it will lose efficiency and use more gas than it really needs to. With that in mind, be sure to get a tune-up every once in a while, and change the air filter, oil, and other fluids on schedule. Also, keep the tires at the recommended pressure; over- or under-inflated tires create more drag between the tires and the road and compromise safety as well.

2. Get rid of extra weight and drag.
Don't carry around extra stuff in the back of your car or on the roof, as unnecessary weight makes your engine work harder. If you have items like storage boxes that attach to the roof rack, take them off when you're not using them to make your car more aerodynamic. Worrying about whether your car is aerodynamic sounds like a matter for racecar drivers, but it really does make a difference!

3. Stop idling!
It's a common perception that it takes a lot of gas to turn your engine off and then back on, but in fact, you'll use the same amount of gas in just ten seconds of idling. If you'll be parked for any longer than that, it's worth it to just turn it off.

4. Plan ahead to shorten your trips.
If you have to go to four different stores in different parts of town, think about your route before you leave to avoid doubling back and increasing the distance you drive.

5. Use cruise control on long trips.
Cruise control, if the conditions allow it, keeps you going at a consistent speed, which is more fuel-efficient than constantly slowing down and speeding up.

6. Go easy on the air conditioning.
If you're driving slowly (less than about 40 mph/65 kph), try rolling down the windows instead of using the AC. However, if you're driving highway speed, it's actually more fuel efficient to use the AC because of the extra drag the open windows create. If you do have the AC (or heater, in the winter) on, put it on the lowest comfortable setting.

7. Be a good driver!
Not only does this save gas, but it also makes everyone safer. Suddenly stopping or starting uses more gas than smoothly accelerating or decelerating, so don't slam on the brakes or floor the gas pedal unless you need to for safety.

All of these are little things, but they're easy to incorporate into your daily life, and remember, every little bit helps make the world a greener place!