WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CONSERVE GAS

Americans have faced soaring gas prices for months. Sometimes, it seems that the price at the local gas station rises each day. This problem is especially acute in California. According to AAA, on May 17, 2003, in Los Angeles, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $1.86. On May 17, 2004, the same gasoline averaged $2.28. In Sacramento, the price went from $1.83 to $2.21. And in San Diego, regular gasoline increased from $1.84 to $2.30 per gallon.

I’ve made it a priority to fight gas price gouging. I’ve developed a nine-point plan to address soaring prices and to prevent future gouging. (Click here to go to the nine-point plan.) Meanwhile, we can all take steps to better conserve gasoline. By doing so, we can each ease the burden on our own pocketbooks, and we can create less demand for gasoline in the marketplace.

In conservation, every little step counts. When you put many steps together, real savings can occur for you and your family. I invite you to review the information on this page and on the webpages to which it links and to consider implementing one or more of the strategies suggested.

If you would like to respond to me about this or any other issue, click here to send me an e-mail message.

Use your car only when necessary.

• Whenever possible, walk, telecommute, take a bus, go by train or carpool.
• Try to do your banking and shopping over the Internet.
• Check with your employer about an available carpool program. Many large companies sponsor them.

If you have to drive...

• If you own more than one car – especially if one of your vehicles is a less fuel-efficient truck, SUV or van – use the more energy-conserving vehicle as often as possible.
• Offer a ride to people who may be headed in the same direction, whether it's to work, school, or social events.
• Combine errands into one trip. Make a list of things that need to get done using your car and try to consolidate them into one weekly outing. (When you make a trip to the grocery store, pick-up dry cleaning, drop-off video rentals, go to the bank, etc.)

How can I get better gas mileage?

• Keep tires properly aligned and inflated to the optimum recommended pressure to improve your gas mileage. Check your driver's manual for the correct tire pressure.
• Avoid high speeds. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs. 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
• Avoid sudden acceleration and hard braking. Your fuel savings may increase by as much as 20%.
• Avoid sitting in idle for long periods. Turn off the engine when waiting at a train crossing for a train to pass, or at a drive-up window. Idling may burn more gas than restarting the engine.
• Keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced.
• Try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.
• Lighten the load by not using your car as a storage facility. A heavier vehicle burns more gasoline.
• Routinely maintain your vehicle. Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
• When buying a new car, make fuel efficiency a priority in your decision making.