Frugal Or Tightwad? Just More Ways To Save Your Money! Page 2
Drive It Like A Truck
4) One of the 'tricks' truckers use when in rolling hills (it will have only limited benefit in mountains) is to let gravity work for you. Since you'll be loaded a bit heavier than normal if you're traveling, I think you can use this 'trick' to save some gas. IE. $$$.
As you are going downhill and you're looking at the next uphill side, just give a little throttle. This will allow gravity to gain you some speed. You need to watch your speed closely so you don't get a ticket or get dangerously fast, but even a slight increase will give you a boost up the other side. As you get to the bottom of the hill, you can then start a wee bit heavier on the throttle, but not too much. As the uphill starts to slow you, you need to resist the temptation to 'put the pedal to the metal'. Rather than jamming down on the throttle, gradually ease up on it and allow the engine to work easily rather than at full race mode. If the hill is very long, you'll have to get into it a bit, but if you're in 'rolling hills', you'll be over the top having only lost a few miles per hour and you'll have saved a few miles per gallon.
A word of caution: When using this 'trick', be sure you're not obstructing or interrupting the flow of traffic too much. People pretty much expect that from big trucks in the hills, but they might get a bit aggravated if a car or pickup is acting like a truck. :-)
In The Mountains
5) Again, since you're loaded heavier than normal, you should take extra precautions in the mountains.
Several years ago my wife and I had a chance to go to the top of Pikes Peak. The only problem was that we were in our S-10 pickup and it had a piano and other rather heavy goods loaded in it. Having spent a few years trucking in the 70s, I knew how to come down that steep ol' mountain road. Part way down there was a Ranger at a check point checking every-ones brakes. He had a couple of cars pulled over, making them wait until their brakes cooled down enough so they could safely continue down the peak. As each vehicle pulled up to him and stopped, he would bend down and feel the wheels to see how hot the brake drums or rotors were. When we pulled up he just smiled and told us he didn't need to check ours because he heard our engine revving as we were coming down.
The point is this: When you're going down a long, steep grade, make your engine do the braking for you. Put the shifter in a lower gear and let it roll. If you're still having to hit the brakes a lot, then brake down slow enough to get into a lower gear and then let it roll. You can save a several hundred $$$ repair bill and be able to enjoy the scenery better on the way down.
Tires And Gas
6) Tighten your gas cap. Gasoline is highly evaporative and will evaporate out of your tank if it has a place to escape, so make sure your cap is tight and has a good seal. If the seal is bad, it, or the entire cap should be replaced. It won't take long to lose enough gas to more than pay for the new cap.
7) Snow tires and low tires will create extra friction and therefore cut your mileage down. Make sure your tire pressure is at the right psi for that tire and load. Snow tires should be used only if you are going to be in muddy or snowy conditions.
8) Go the back roads. Normally, fuel prices will be somewhat cheaper if you fuel up a few miles off of the main highways.
That's A Definite No! No!
One of the things I have seen recommended on some other 'money saving ' sites is the practice of 'Drafting'. IE, following behind a big truck and allowing the wind eddy to kind of pull you along and breaking the wind for you. This is extremely dangerous. Do Not Do It!
In the first place; You will be in the truck 'NO ZONE' and that means that the driver cannot see you.
In the second place; He may need to stop suddenly or make a manuever to dodge something in the road and you could be 'toast' because you do not have enough room/time to react. Over the years I've seen several cars that went under the rear of a big truck because of this very thing.
In the third place; This is a very good way to be sort of hypnotized because of staring at that truck rear over a long period of time.
In the fourth place; It is not uncommon for big rigs to blow those big tires. You've seen the results of this when you see those big chunks of tires left in the road. Those big chunks are called 'gators' by us truckers. THEY ARE DANGEROUS ! Do what you can safely do to dodge those 'gators' because they can tear stuff up under your car! Also, if you're 'drafting' when one of these 'gators' come off, it can go through your radiator, knock out headlights or even go through your windshield! Always maintain a safe distance behind the big rigs!
In the fifth place; If a cop sees you, you'll get a ticket! PLEASE DO NOT DRAFT!
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