Tips to save some gas $$$

Get 50 mpg -- IN YOUR OWN CAR!!!


Rules of the road You can achieve similar results by following these nine commandments of hypermiling. "It's not brain science," Gerdes says.
Brake sparingly. Coast up to red lights instead of braking (though you might want to watch your rearview mirror). Timed correctly, you'll hit the green while still moving forward and expend less fuel accelerating again. A commuter should be able to pick up the timing sequence of lights along a route in three to four days, Gerdes asserts.


To idle is to sin. Cars of recent vintage have fuel-injection systems that make starting an engine more efficient than idling. So if you're going to be at a standstill for 10 seconds or more, cut off the engine. And if the drive-through line at McDonald's is a long one, park and buy your food inside.


Speed kills. "My Honda Accord, with good tire pressure and synthetic oil (see below), driven at 50 to 55 miles per hour, will get an average of 50 miles per gallon. It's EPA rated at 24/34." So just follow the speed limit, or go at a slightly slower speed. To make himself and his slower speed conspicuous to faster drivers behind, Gerdes "ridge rides," meaning he keeps his right tires on the white line that defines the far right side of the slow lane.


Avoid the big chill. Today's cars can't kick into their most efficient mode -- called "closed-loop operation" -- until the engine is sufficiently warm. There are ways to speed the process even if you don't want to invest in an engine-block heater. If you're on a round of errands, for example, always go the farthest destination first to bring up the engine temperature. If you make a series of short trips, the engine stays cold and never achieves maximum efficiency.


Beware of drag. Car racks and other automotive appendages -- even those flags honoring favorite sports teams -- reduce mpg by creating drag. The problem gets worse with speed. "Think of trying to stand up in a 75 mph hurricane," Gerdes says. So if there's something that can be taken off the car without compromising its operation or aesthetics, get rid of it. Driving with open windows is generally held to be better than using the air conditioning, but closed windows and no A/C are best.


Lose the weight. For every 30 pounds of extra weight your vehicle carries, mpg decreases by anywhere from one-tenth to one-hundredth of a percent. That may not seem like much, but mile and mile it adds up. Jettison what's not essential. If it's summer and your trunk still contains a bag of sand to help you negotiate icy, winter roads, get rid of it.


Pay attention to load. When you're driving up a hill, keep a steady load on the engine. Gerdes recommends accelerating to a target speed and then locking your foot in position so the gas pedal is held steady. That will keep gas consumption at a constant level. Maintaining a constant speed, on the other hand, requires increasing the fuel burn rate as the hill is climbed. Do that and a vehicle that registers 40 mpg on a level road can see fuel efficiency decline to as low as 15 mpg, Gerdes says.


Be not a hare. Jackrabbit starts might enable you to win the race to the next traffic light, but they're murder on fuel economy. Gerdes explains that the best mpg is had at relatively low rpm levels. It may seem like you're crawling if you try to accelerate at 1,900 rpm, he says, "but if there's nobody behind you, what's the point of going faster? You're just throwing fuel away." And if you let the other guy beat you to the next light, his presence might just cause it to change to green, enabling you to keep going without braking.


Set up for success. How a car is set up, particularly in the areas of tire pressure and engine lubrication, is critical. Gerdes recommends inflating tires to their maximum allowable pressure, a specification you'll find printed on the outside of the tire. Higher pressure means less rolling resistance, allowing you to coast a greater distance. As for synthetic oil, it breaks down more slowly than regular oil and thus promotes efficient operation of the engine for a longer period.
Follow these basics and you'll get your 25% increase in mpg. You can boost it even further if you're willing to try a couple of more-involved tactics, such as avoiding left turns (and the braking that goes with them). Also, if you select parking spaces that allow you to leave by moving forward, you don't waste fuel and motion backing up.


Some techniques to avoid Fuel economy improves most drastically when hypermiling techniques are wed with highway driving. Simply by driving at or slightly below the speed limit while faster vehicles pass and pull you along in their wakes can result in mpg 50% higher than the EPA ratings. This passive drafting is entirely legal, as is a practice called "distant drafting," where the goal is to stay 10 or more car lengths behind a tractor-trailer.
More problematic, not to mention less legal, is the "close-in drafting" that involves staying as little as three-quarters of a car length behind the lead vehicle (usually an 18-wheeler). Though the resulting fuel economy numbers are "stupid high," Gerdes says, "this is like NASCAR and I would not recommend it to anybody."


Talk back: What do you do to boost mpg?

Finally, the truth about gas mileage

MSN Autos: Tips for maximizing your mileage

MSN Autos: The cheapest gas in your neighborhood

Is a penny a gallon worth a detour?



Also worthy of a ticket is another technique Gerdes admits using but does not recommend:

Taking curves -- a highway exit ramp, say -- at up to twice the posted speed to maintain as much momentum as possible. That, too, would cause a trooper to turn on his flashing lights, Hallion says, adding that even ridge riding is questionable as it might jeopardize motorists who have stopped on the shoulder of the road.

So, if you don't want to risk a fine or worse, stick to hypermiling's basics and avoid its riskiest maneuvers. If you work at it, you'll dramatically improve fuel economy.

"You have to put all the pieces together and stay on top of them," Gerdes says. "If you don't, you're not going to see improved fuel economy. You're not going to get positive feedback."

YEP! We felt it... This morning and Friday night.

We are all concerned about Mother Earth's rocking and rolling.

Want to keep track of the latest earthquakes and what is going on? Click here, scroll down and click on the list of Earthquakes on this map.

GREAT NEWS FROM AIRLINES....FINALLY!

If you've ever been bumped from a flight because it was oversold, you know how frustrating that can be, WELL now the airlines will pay you for your lost time and pay you well!! Yesterday the transportation department announced that airlines who oversell flights MUST compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped to another plane....here's how it works...

If you get bumped from your flight, the airline will pay you $400 if you get on another plane and arrive at your destination within two hours of the original arrival time or within 4 hours if flying internationally! AND here's the big one, if your arrival is delayed even longer that...the airline has to pay you $800!!!! WOW...we say overbook and bump us EVERYTIME!!!

Earthquake 101

With all of the earthquakes (albeit small ones) going on around Reno in the past couple months or so, it doesn't hurt to be prepared the best you can if the big one comes. We opened up the phones lines today and talked to listeners about it and we found cool tips online for you to check out and keep in mind...just in case!


How to Survive an Earthquake...What to do before, during and after an earthquake, and preparing an earthquake survival kit for your home, automobile, and office.

WHAT TO DO
PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY NOW!

Have an earthquake survival kit on hand.

All family members should know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity.

Plan family emergency procedures, and make plans for reuniting your family.

Know emergency telephone numbers (doctor, hospital, police, 911, etc)

Anchor heavy objects to walls (bookcases, wall units, mirrors, cabinets, etc.)

Never place heavy objects over beds, and keep heavy objects lower than head height of shortest member of family.


DURING AN EARTHQUAKE STAY CALM

Inside, stand in doorway, or crouch under a desk or table, well away from windows or glass dividers.

Outside, stand away from buildings, trees, telephones and electrical lines.

On the road, drive away from underpasses and overpasses; stop in safe area; stay in vehicle.


AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

Check for injuries-provide first aid.

Check for safety-check for gas, water, sewage breaks; check for downed power lines and shorts; turn off appropriate utilities.

Check for building damage and potential problems during aftershocks.

Clean up dangerous spills.

Wear shoes

Turn on the radio and listen for instructions from public safety agencies.

Use telephone for emergencies, only.

Earthquake Survival Kits
SURVIVAL SUPPLIES:

Water-2 quarts to 1 gallon per person, per day.

First Aid Kit-ample, and freshly stocked.

First Aid Manual-know how to use it.

Food-canned or individually packaged;precooked, requiring minimum heat and water. Consider infants, pets, and other special dietary requirements.

Critical medication, extra eyeglasses

Can opener

Blankets

Radio-portable battery operated, spare batteries

Critical medication and eyeglasses, contact cases and supplies

Fire Extinguisher-dry chemical, type ABC

Flashlight-spare batteries and bulbs

Watch or clock-battery or spring wound.


COOKING:

Barbeque-use outdoors ONLY-charcoal and lighter, or Sterno stove

Plastic bags-various sizes, sealable

Pots-at least two

Paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels SANITATION

Large plastic trash bags-for trash, waste, water protection

Ground cloth
Large trash cans

Hand soap, liquid detergent, shampoo

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss

Deodorant

Feminine supplies

Infant supplies

Toilet paper

Powdered chlorinated lime-to add to sewage to disinfect and keep away insects.

Newspapers-to wrap waste, garbage; may also be used for warmth.


SAFETY

Heavy shoes for every family member

Heavy gloves for every person cleaning debris

Candles

Matches-dipped in wax and kept in waterproof container

Knife-sharp, or razor blades

Garden hose-for siphoning and fire fighting

Clothes-complete change kept dry

TOOLS

Axe

Shovel

Broom

Crescent wrench-for turning off gas main

Screwdrivers

Pliers

Hammer

Rope or bailing wire

Plastic tape

Pen and paper

Mini Survival Kit for Automobile

Non-perishable food-store in coffee cans

Boiled water

First aid kit and manual

Fire extinguisher

Blanket


Flashlight-spare fresh batteries and bulb

Critical medication, extra eyeglasses

Tools-screwdriver, pliers, wire, knife

Short rubber hose

Pre-moistened towelettes

Sturdy shoes and gloves


Your emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 72 hours (3 days).
A 10-day supply of water, food, and medicine is recommended.