With the increases that seem to come just about every day in the price of gasoline... I thought I would share something that I noticed about my gas mileage quite some time ago.
About a year ago, I purchased a 2007 Honda CR-V. It's a cute little small-to-medium size "cross-over" vehicle... I think the industry calls it. I think the gasoline MPG figures on the window sticker quoted perhaps 23/29 or so... 23 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the open road... highways, etc. My mileage, however... is usually around 27 or 28 MPG in the city, and right at 32 MPG on long highway trips.
I have found that one very easy way that I can increase my gas MPG is to simply drive as "stress-free" as possible.
It seems that when I am stressed, when things are a bit upsetting, when I am anxious about a closing, or angry or upset about anything... I tend to "press" while I am driving. I "push" a little bit more than normal, my right foot seems to feel heavier on the gas pedal, pushing down harder than I normally do.
Just this little "stressor" and the behaviors that follow... can drop my MPG from 28 down to around 24 or 25 MPG. That is a loss of about fifteen percent MPG efficiency.
When I look at my odometer/speedometer and notice what the current miles per gallon measures... and I see it hovering around 23 or 24... I know I am upset about something... and that I am stressing, or pushing.
It's then obvious that I have to "on purpose" grab ahold of my attitude, slow it down, breathe deeply, maybe even pull over to the side of the road and just sit for a moment and "regain my calm, de-stressed attitude.
Once I do this... breathe deeply, lose the stress, or focus on something calm, or some pleasant memory... my mileage actually goes back up to the 28 MPG range.
So... in a way... my Honda CR-V has become my "shrink on wheels."
Update: I just did the math. A 4 MPG increase from 23 PMG comes to a 17.39 percent increase... which for me with the mileage I drive... saves me $1,415.70 a year. Not bad. Not bad at all.
I suppose since I am always flying from one place to the next, I just need to slow it down a tad. Great post, Karen Anne.
I read recently that if we pump gas in the early mornings and not fall below 1/4 tank we get more bang for our buck because the cooler morning temps coupled with capacity in the tank reduce the vapors.
Roberta: Yikes... $72 a tank. That's enough to stress out anyone. Calm down, breathe deeply, and then read one of my blog posts. It works every time... LOL. Another great way for me to lower my stress, is to not see large logo's in comment boxes like the one you posted... hint, hint... LOL.
Roberta: Honestly, it looked great... and I am sure on your posts, it increases your visability. In a comment, though, it was so "overpowering" it became a distraction. Also... there have been others who put things like that in comments... and I have asked them to remove them, too.
My thought is... having any of them there invites all kinds of stuff, and some folks can include all kinds of stuff. I just thought... what would it look like if everyone did it. Thanks so much for editing your comment. You are a sweetie... take care... and good luck with your new "logo."
Breathe in... breathe out, and "pause when agitated." That always helps me. oh.. And I agree Karen, we use less gas and save more when we drive at slower speeds and don't step on the pedal so hard when taking off from the stop light. We all need to be reminded to slow down a little.
Hi Karen, if all else fails, don't forget pizza!
I have not put a calculator to it but the savings over a year would be substantial!
Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!
HA!! I drive a Sequoia. I get blocks to the gallon.
But, I can haul stuff for my landscaping. I can carry 6 buyers with playing wagon train. I can hit a Deer head on and survive. I sit high so I can see the road.
It's a trade off. I do save gas by "bundling chores" and not hitting the road for little things.
I also saved $9,000 in taxes for 2004 so I have to keep the vehicle for 5 years or pay a recapture tax.
All things considered, it's been a great vehicle.
They don't let me out much anyway.
Karen, I think you are on to something. I learned a simple trick to increase your gas mileage. Imagine you have an egg between your right foot and the accelerator. It works, but I broken a few imaginary eggs.
Good Post!
Karen Anne - I drive a gas guzzler (Durango) but have learned how to get the absolute most out of it. All the car reports say it gets 13-15 in the city. I can get about 18 with the air running. On the highway it was rated at 19-21. I get 24 or more. It's all about your style of driving. I'm not aggressive. If I'm running late then so be it - that's what a cell phone is for. If there is a traffic jam/train crossing/accident ... I can't change that, so why get upset?
I combine my trips, don't just drive around in circles for the heck of it, and try to keep the truck maintained as well as possible. Maintenance is key in a car - and a house!
Charles: I just did the math. An increase of 4 MPG from 23 MPG to 27 MPG is a 17.39% increase in gas mileage. So... saving 17.39% on my gas purchases, means that yesterday's gallon of gas at $3.47.9 price per gallon gets that same 17.39% discount... which... bottom line... means I am saving over 60 cents per gallon.
So... the prica I am paying... using the gas savings... makes it like I am paying $2.87 a gallon. At fifteen gallons a tank, and three tanks a week... (I drive a lot) saves me $9.05 a tank, or $1,415.70 each year. Not bad for just driving "cool" instead of driving "stressed." (By the way... this former teacher also taught math... LOL... to those pesky seventh-graders.
Lenn: Most everyone is upset about gas mileage, but the most important thing... is whether the mileage you get... whatever it is, and whatever you drive... would be worth the trade off of either driving less, or driving something like a Honda Civic Hybrid... at something like 52 MPG.
All of the things you describe absolutely could not be done in a Civic, but are done very nicely in a Sequoia. And... the $9,000 tax savings equals $1,800 a year. You can buy a decent amount of gas with that.
And about them not letting you out much anyway... I know the feeling. I have found that if you bring back a bottle or two of something they like, the orderlies at "the home" can be very cooperative. At least... it works for me. LOL. Lenn... thanks for your comment... take care...
Roberta: Honestly, it looked great... and I am sure on your posts, it increases your visability. In a comment, though, it was so "overpowering" it became a distraction. Also... there have been others who put things like that in comments... and I have asked them to remove them, too.
My thought is... having any of them there invites all kinds of stuff, and some folks can include some fairly odious pictures and stuff. I just thought... what would it look like if everyone did it. Thanks so much for editing your comment. You are a sweetie... take care... and good luck with your new "logo." Please don't let my asking you about it to keep you away from reading and commentin in the future :)
Bob: I really try to come up with at least one interesting and worthwhile idea a year. If my calculations are correct... this one brings me up to about 1979. So... only 29 more good ideas to go, and I will be current.
Thanks for your comment. And yes, I have seen his MPG idea work for me... and I don't drive all that crazily when I am stressed. It just amazes me when some of these dudes in their monster turbo pick-em-up truck go steaming by me on the local freeways... kinda like the Star Ship Enterprise goes whooshing across the screen. It used to tick me off when they zoomed by, but now I just laugh... watching all of their dollar bills emptying out of their tail pipe !
Liz: I have no clue... but I wanted to ask. How do gasoline prices compare up there in Chilliwack, BC compared to Seattle or Portland ? Just curious. And yes... pressing can make a big difference. I don't "press" very much, but even me changing can save $1,400. Not a bad plan.
Great post, I noticed if I slow down in traffic, I tend to brake less and don't waste as much gas either.
All the best!
We don't own a thing that gets exceptional mileage. Kathy's car averages about 24+/- but my truck... well, I'm doing good to hit 16. My right foot might have something to do with that though. Time to fire up that oil rig. :)
they do... it's included inside this neat little envelope along with a bill... I get it each and every month. :) Who says big business has lost that human touch? haha
Karen Anne: My hybrid car has taught me the meaning of stress free driving. There are digital displays that reward you for driving gently by giving you a higher ECO-DRIVE rating. Enough of those and you can get great MPG. I just finished off a tank with 532 miles on the trip meter. It averaged to over 39 mpg. My husband is so impressed he's now diriving gently too. Slowing to a stop, starting from a stopped position with ease instead of ramming down on the gas pedal.
Another tid bit is keeping your tires properly inflated. Those two can save you money.