Jim Davidson - 75 Ways To Save Gas

PENGUIN CANADA

75 WAYS TO SAVE GAS

JIM DAVIDSON is president and founder of Car$mart Inc., a Canadian car brokerage and consulting firm. Jim has been helping frustrated car buyers for almost 20 years. He has franchised his novel brokerage concept all over North America, has built and sold a dotcom internet service, and now has become a specialist in green cars. Jim is frequently asked to comment on the auto industry on TV, radio, and in print. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Emily and Taylor.

Clean, Green Tips
to Cut Your Fuel Bill

Jim Davidson

PENGUIN
CANADA

PENGUIN CANADA

Published by the Penguin Group

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First published 2009

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Copyright Car$mart Inc., 2009

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ISBN: 978-0-14-317205-5

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This book is dedicated to people everywhere who are sick and tired of paying high gas prices.

Fight back and take control of the fuel you use.

Enjoy the savings!

75 WAYS TO SAVE GAS

Gas prices are extremely volatile. We have seen the price of fuel reach and surpass record levels recently, whether because of economic uncertainty, political upheaval, or natural disasters. Some days, the price of fuel fluctuates radically, but overall, the price of gas is continually going up, and at an alarming rate. The times when gas drops in price are usually short-lived; higher gas prices in general are here to stay, so we need to look for ways in which to save and keep our hard-earned money in our pockets.

To many of us, the car is vital to our daily lives. But, next to our home, it is the biggest drain on our budgets. When it comes to our cars, it often feels like we cant live with them and cant live without them. So what can we do?

With more than 20 years of experience helping consumers make wise choices when it comes to automobiles, Ive learned many cost-saving tips and tricks. 75 Ways to Save Gas is chock full of easy-to-follow suggestions to help you save fueland potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year on your gas bill. The book is divided into two parts. The first half focuses on fuel-saving tips that you can use before you even get into your car. The second half offers fuel-efficient ideas that you can take with you onto the road. At the back of the book, youll find a list of helpful websites that you can visit for more ideas on how to further your savings.

My tips are easy to incorporate into your daily driving routine. Youll be surprised at the drop in your gas bill when you adopt even just a few of these fuel-saving methods. Youll experience instant financial savings. So take control of the high cost of fuel and start saving money today.

For your local errands and activities, why not use your feet instead of your car to get things done? If you give yourself a bit of extra time and plan ahead, youll be surprised how much you can get done by walking. Dont pollute. Instead, leave the car at home and save a lot of gas.

Approximately 50% of car use is for trips within 3 miles of the home.

www.eartheasy.com

Here are seven ways to include walking in your busy schedule:

• Walk your kids one way to school every other day.
• Every second weekend, do your errands on foot.
• On your lunch break, walk from work to do errands.
• Walk with your partner or a friend to the local coffee shop.
• Walk to the corner store or video store instead of driving.
• Walk to and from the gymits also a great way to warm up and cool down.
• If you live close enough, walk to work at least once a week.

In addition to saving fuel, youll enjoy the fresh air, peace of mind, and health benefits that come with exercise.

TWELVE WALKING SAFETY TIPS

Walk facing traffic.

Use the sidewalks.

Dont jaywalk; always cross at intersections.

At night, walk on well-lit streets or paths.

Walk with a buddy.

Always be aware of your surroundings.

Carry a fully charged cell phone in case of emergencies.

Turn your mp3 player down or off so that youre able to hear whats going on.

Plan your route with safety in mind and avoid hazardous shortcuts.

Dress for the weathermake sure to layer up in winter and wear breathable fabrics in summer.

Wear comfortable shoes.

If youre going for a long walk, stay hydrated by taking some water with you.

Most of us own or have access to a bicycle but dont use this gas- and pollution-free mode of transportation for our daily grind. Bikes are a great alternative to the car for commuting, shopping, and running errands. The savings from incorporating biking into your lifestyle can be staggering.

You save $15.80 per week by biking to work.

www.biketowork.ca

This savings is based just on the cost of gas (in 2007). Add on the cost of your monthly car payments, insurance premium, and parking, and the price of owning a car goes up exponentially. Biking is becoming a very popular way to get around in urban areas. Most major cities in North America are committed to this new movement and are adding more and more kilometres of bike lanes to the roads each year. Bicyclists are slowly gaining more respect from motor vehicle drivers, and bike lanes are helping to make it easy and safe to get around on two wheels instead of four.