by Diane Sagers

CORRESPONDENT

Gasoline prices are big news and we can't avoid hearing about the problem even if we were to stay at home. However it is the "pain at the pump" that drives the point home. Driving is part of our lives and we have limits in Tooele Valley as to alternative transportation so we are searching for ways to use less gasoline. The timing is not good either as we get into the big summer vacation driving season.

To many of us, this feels like deja-vu. It isn't that we have spent so much per gallon before, but gasoline shortages in years past taught many of us ways to save money at the gas pump.

The experts are out in force offering us suggestions on how to and not to save on gas. I have made two lists below. The first is the "Gas Saving" list. Do it and save money. The second is the "Misconception" list. All the things we think will help but actually don't.

With a tight economy, we are likely not feeling financially flush enough to go out and buy a new fuel-efficient or hybrid car but there are ways to reduce our gas consumption even in the old clunker according to the Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Emissions Lab. This is the group that tests cars and puts mileage stickers on them. Chris Grundler, spokesman for the EPA offers the following tips.

Gas Saving

Tip #1 Slow down

The way you drive can improve gas mileage. We may remember from a number of years back during a gasoline shortage when the speed limits were dropped to 55 everywhere to save on gas. That advice still holds. Fuel economy drops whenever you push the speed over 60 miles per hour, and it drops like a stone when going over 70 mph -- up to 33 percent according to the EPA.

Tip #2 Don't tap the gas pedal

Keeping an even speed is also essential. Use your cruise control if you have it to avoid tapping the accelerator. Driving in overdrive, slows engine speed, cuts wear on the engine and helps save gas say the experts.

Tip #3 Calm down and start out gradually.

It's that speed thing again -- avoid jack-rabbit starts. If you like to spin you wheels as you pull away from a stop light or a parking spot, you are using extra gasoline in the process.

Tip #4 Turn off the engine

The opposite is also true. If you are stopped and idling the car you are using gas. Avoid idling for more than one minute.

Tip #5 Keep the car well maintained

Well maintained cars are more fuel efficient. Get a tune-up and keep your car running well to save on fuel.

Tip #6 Turn off the air conditioning

While the weather is bearable, don't use air conditioning, which can cut mileage by up to one-fourth.

Some common sense behaviors let you accomplish more on a tank of gas. Combining errands to get all of them done in one trip instead of several a day saves not only gasoline, but your time as well. Apparently not everyone subscribes to this. (See Myth #5 below)

Tip #7 Buy wisely

If you are out to purchase a new car, pay attention to the mileage stickers. They should give you a good ballpark figure of what you can expect in performance from a particular vehicle. This too can help you get the most for your gasoline dollar.

Misconceptions

All of this should help, but there are a number of myths out there these days as well. According to CNN Money, Consumer Reports and Edmunds here are some misconceptions on saving gas.

Myth #1 Fill your tank in the morning

Since cooler liquids are more dense a lower temperature, you will got more gas in your gallon.

Reality #1 Fuel at gas stations is stored in tanks beneath the ground and the temperature doesn't vary all that much during the day due to ground insulation. The temperatures the fuel comes out of the house varies only slightly from morning until afternoon.

Myth #2 Change your air filter

Reality #2 A clean air filter in modern cars doesn't do much to save gas. Today's engines have sensors that adjust the fuel/air mixture as the air filter gradually gets dirty. A clean air filter will increase engine power slightly and replacing it from time to time is important to keep the car running well -- but not for gas savings.

Myth #3 Use premium fuel

Reality #3 Your car manual may "recommend" premium but not "require" it. Engine sensors detect regular instead of premium fuel and automatically adjust the spark plug timing. Regular gas may diminish peak horsepower slightly, but with little effect on fuel economy. Paying that extra money at the pump for premium will not return dividends in that case. If you find, however, that the car doesn't run well on regular, go back to the premium quality fuel.

Myth #4 Pump up your tires

Reality #4 Underinfltated tires do reduce fuel economy and you do need to keep the tires at the right pressure for better car handling, to decrease wear and tear and reduce the danger of a high-speed blowout as well. However, extra air -- over-inflating tires -- is not the answer. You may improve fuel economy a little, but since less tire touches the road, your wheel grip for braking and turning will be reduced.

Myth #5 Turn off the air conditioning

Reality #5 Is this a myth or reality? (See Tip # 6 above.) According to CNN, the Air conditioner drops fuel economy by only a mile per gallon around town. Driving at higher speeds with the windows down increases drag on the car. The faster you are going, the more drag your engine has to compensate for when the windows are down. Consumer Reports says that the air conditioner uses slightly more fuel than driving with the windows down, but the Edmunds experts say the difference is negligible. Maybe it is ok to save your hairstyle and roll up the windows. However, if the outside air is cool, keep the fans on but turn off the air conditioner.

Myth #6 Bolt-ons and pour-ins

Reality #6 You can find all sorts of devices and liquids on the market that are purported to give you more miles per gallon. However, if this were true, the oil companies would be adding those liquids to their gasoline, knowing that the consumers would line up around the block to purchase their company's "more-mileage" gasoline.

The same is true for automobile companies. If they can engineer a car with better gas mileage, they know that it would sell and sell well.

Most of the gas-saving devices only work psychologically. If you are paying for that kind of product, you are probably also conscientiously paying attention to your driving habits and your car's gas mileage. As a result you may get better mileage for your efforts.

The price of gasoline is what it is. If you are inclined toward the misery-loves-company philosophy consider what some people from Britain told me: gasoline in England currently runs more than 1 British pound per liter. That translates to roughly $7.50 per gallon.

Things could be worse.