GETTING THE MOST FOR YOUR GAS DOLLARS

My wife and I saw the hand writing on the wall as gas prices started going up. I bought a small 4X4 crew cab pickup truck that will get me and all our gear into and out of some mountain property that my family owns when we want to camp, hike, picnic, or hunt. It is also the vehicle we use to go skiing. This truck is also pretty fuel efficient and has adequate power for what I use it for.

My wife on the other hand bought a small four cylinder four door sedan that she uses to run around town and we both use it to travel out of town unless there is a reason we need to take my truck.

My son decided to buy a one ton quad cab diesel pickup truck at $3:70 a gallon plus an additive with each tank of fuel, a snow mobile and a four wheeler.

As you might expect, the gas bill each month can be pretty high in this family, mostly because of the diesel pickup truck, which my son insisted got better mileage than my Nissan pickup. He has always dreamed of having a big intimidating, 4X4, pickup truck, and now he has one with the accompanying expenses.

It would be an understatement to say I started looking for ways to lower the monthly fuel bill the family is paying.

Most of the following information comes from the Department of Energy or a friend that works for a major fuel company in California. I hope it helps others as much as it has helped us.

Fill your car or truck early in the morning when ground temperatures are lower. Gas station fuel tanks are traditionally under ground and cooler gas is denser and you get a gallon for the cost of a gallon of gas. When ground temperatures rise, the warmer gas expands and you don’t get as much for your money.

Most gas pumps have three speeds. Pump your gas on the slowest speed to minimize gas vapors. Gas pumps have a vapor return that returns some of the vapors back into the storage tank, giving you less for your money.

Fill up when your tank is half full or half empty. The more gas you have in your tank, the less empty air space, and the less gas evaporation you will have.

If a gasoline truck is filling the gas station storage tanks, don’t fill up. The fuel is being stirred up while it is being pumped into the storage tanks and you are liable to get some of the dirt that lies in the bottom of the storage tank in your gas tank.

WHERE TO BUY GAS

Just for your information, Saudi Arabia is currently boycotting American goods. If you are inclined, you can return the favor. You can buy from companies that don’t buy from the Middle East.

A list of companies that buy from the Saudis are:

Shell

Chevron/Texaco

Exxon/Mobile

Marathon/Speedway

Amoco

Citco gas comes from South America from a Dictator who hates America

Companies that do not buy from the Saudis include:

Sunoco

Conoco

Sinclair

BP/ Phillips

Hess

Arco

There are certainly other ways to lower your fuel costs. The particular information I have shared is info. I don’t see widely published anywhere, so take it for what it is worth and share it with your friends. Maybe some of the j-hub writers could share their experiences with lowering their fuel costs.