09/ 14/ 2005
by Summer Huggins
I have a magnet on my refrigerator that serves as a flashback to the year I was born – 1971. The magnet, from Pages of Time, says that a loaf of bread was 25 cents. A new car averaged $3,560. And a gallon of gas was 40 cents.
Fast-forward to yesterday evening, when I put gas in my car for $2.79 per gallon. I paid $2.79 because the line at the pump across the street – where gas was listed for $2.73 – was probably 20 minutes long. But neither of those prices in my area is horrible when you think that as of Sept. 12, the national average price for a gallon of gas was $2.96.
So what's a driving small-business owner to do?
The American Automobile Association, better known to you and me as "Triple A," has offered a list of gas-saving guidelines to help us deal with this gas-guzzling, money-burning pinch at the pumps.
Earlier this week, AAA issued a set of fuel-conservation instructions for drivers struggling with record-high fuel prices, especially for those worried about gas availability in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
AAA's full list of energy conservation guidelines, excerpted from the brochure "AAA Gas Watcher's Guide," is available from your local AAA club and can be downloaded via the link below.
The guidelines from AAA include:
Change driving attitudes. Keep fuel conservation at the top of your mind when choosing which vehicle to drive, the distance of the destination, and what trips and errands can be combined and when to run them.
Consider driving style consequences. Save fuel by slowing down, maintaining steady speeds, and avoiding rapid acceleration and sudden stops. Leave plenty of time to reach destinations and try to avoid letting the engine idle.
Don't pursue fuel savings that are counter-productive. Topping-off a nearly full gas tank or joining gas lines out of a sense of panic will contribute to the possibility of fuel shortages. Shop for the lowest gas price, but don't drive out of your way or burn gas sitting in line hoping to save a few cents per gallon. Had I waited in that long line yesterday, it would have only saved me 60 cents on the 10 gallons I put in my car.
Practice good vehicle maintenance by making certain tires are properly inflated, the air filter is clean, the engine and chassis are properly lubricated, and spark plugs are in good condition.
Check your vehicle owner's manual to make certain the grade of gasoline being purchased is the correct one. Normally pumps offer three grades of unleaded gas, but at a pump this weekend, I saw five choices – two of which I had never heard of. Most vehicles are designed to operate on lower cost regular gasoline, so don't feel overwhelmed by your choices. Look to your owner's manual for guidance.
Save money by considering car pools and public transportation as a form of commuting if available. Car pools for school, children's activities and shopping can also cut fuel costs. Car pools can be especially effective over the next few weeks in cutting the nation's fuel consumption.
Consider telecommuting one or more days per week if that is a possibility for you, and allow your employees to do the same. Arriving earlier or leaving later from work can also help you avoid wasting gasoline in bumper-to-bumper rush-hour traffic.
