Publication: Travel Tips
Cutting your fuel costs. | |
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COOL TRAVEL MAIL'S
TRAVEL TIPS
Tips & Adice for the Seasoned and Armchair Traveler Alike!
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http://www.CoolTravelMail.com
May 29, 2007
I grew up during the energy crunch of the 1970s.
Gasoline prices hit record levels.
Long-planned vacations were rearranged as fuel gobbled up
more of the family budget.
Big, gas-guzzling vehicles were left cold in the driveway as
travelers squished into more energy efficient cars.
My, how far we've come.
This week's edition includes:
* CUTTING GASOLINE COSTS
* STRETCHING YOUR MILEAGE
* CRUISING AND SCAMMING
P.S. If you're interested you can now post comments on this
and recent issues on our forum at... Travel Tips Forum
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CUTTING GASOLINE COSTS
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With the price of gasoline averaging more than $3.20 a
gallon across the country after hitting record highs,
travelers are once again faced with steeply increased costs
for getting where they want to go.
But few people are choosing to stay at home.
Roughly 32.1 million travelers were expected to drive more
than 50 miles over the Memorial Day weekend, according to
the American Automobile Association. That's nearly a 2
percent increase from last year.
So, in light of this determination to hit the highway, I
offer some tips on cutting fuel costs and maximizing your
mileage. First, here are some ideas about saving gas money
once you've arrived at your destination:
* Take the bus
Choose a travel location that's served by a decent bus,
subway or ferry system. That way, you can avoid renting a
car. It also allows you to explore a new city from the
residents' point of view. Chances are, you'll also save on
parking fees.
* Trade four wheels for two
Many vacation destinations - and, increasingly, many
non-vacation places - offer bicycle rentals. In beach towns
and many other tourist-focused areas, the streets are often
bike friendly and bicycle rentals are not hard to find. Not
only will you save gas money, but you'll get some exercise,
and see things you wouldn't normally notice.
Unless it rains. If a week of storms is forecast, stick to
something with a roof.
* Look for hotel deals
Many hotels are offering special gas promotions - usually in
the form of gasoline vouchers or gift cards - for guests
arriving by car, so make sure to ask your hotel or inn about
it before you book a room. if they have any offers.
In general, it's the smaller, independent inns that are
offering the deals. Guests typically need to stay for at
least two nights, usually between Sunday and Thursday, to
qualify for rebates or gift cards.
Some chains do it two. Participating Best Western hotels,
for example, offer a $50 gas card for a stay of at least
three nights. To qualify for the card, you must book through
individual hotels or their Web sites.
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STRETCHING YOUR MILEAGE
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* Walk
Just because you rented a car, doesn't mean you have to use
it. Vacations are meant for walking. You're supposed to
enjoy yourself and experience new things.
So, pick a pedestrian-friendly location and don't use the
car when you get that morning coffee or evening snack.
Densely populated cities and even many small towns are
perfect for exploring on foot.
* Ride the shuttle.
Check to see if your hotel offers a complimentary shuttle
service. This will allow you to skip driving all together.
It also gives you a free tour guide to point out the sights
and make suggestions.
* Go all-in-one
Resorts and other all-inclusive destinations make
transportation unnecessary once you arrive. Choose one of
these vacation spots, and you'll have easy access to food,
entertainment and everything else that you'd need to make
your trip enjoyable.
Although I generally don't suggest these places for
travelers who want to explore new places and experience
other cultures, rising fuel prices have earned them another
notch in the "pro" column.
If your vehicle is you primary means of travel, you need to
make sure you use as little gasoline as possible.
Naturally, the first consideration is the vehicle you drive.
If possible, downsize from a gas guzzler to a more
economical model. Unfortunately, with luggage and traveling
companions, a big car, truck, van or SUV may be unavoidable.
If so, here are some things you can do:
* Stay in tune
You'll use less gas if you keep your vehicle tuned up and
running like it should.
* No tired tires
Under-inflation creates a drag that reduces fuel economy.
Read your owner's manual and make sure your tires are
inflated as the manufacturer recommends.
Don't forget about your vehicle's wheel alignment. You won't
get optimum gas mileage if it isn't rolling straight.
* Streamline
Roof racks are handy, but carrying things on the roof
creates a source of drag that can increase your gas
consumption. Big, clamshell-type carriers are great for
freeing up space to make folks in the car more comfortable,
but it can hurt you a bit in the mileage department.
I learned this first-hand when I was 16 and my dad and I
made a trip from New York to Florida in a Beverly
Hillbillies-type truck piled high - and I'm talking the
Grinch's sleigh on Christmas Eve kind of high - with
athletic apparatus. We drove in strong winds that pushed the
pile on the truck bed like a sailboat. Luckily, nobody
happened to be in the oncoming lane when we had to tack to
stay on course.
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CRUISING AND SCAMMING
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* Cruise
Continuous up and down acceleration and braking should be
avoided. Use your cruise control on the highway to help
maintain a constant speed. Take it slow and easy on starts
and stops.
* Slow down
One of the biggest fuel savers is reducing speed. The faster
you go, the quicker you use your gas, simple as that.
One of the big legacies of the '70s gasoline crisis was the
now-extinct 55-mph national speed limit. All the politicians
talked about safety, and that was true, but the driving
force for the legislation was energy conservation.
* Turn it off
If you're stopped in traffic, or waiting for someone, turn
the vehicle off. Don‘t sit there and idle for 10 minutes.
The pearl of wisdom handed down by many older drivers’
parents - it takes more gas to start a car than you use
idling for a few minutes - became out of date when
carburetors did.
For the same reason, avoid drive-thru windows with long
lines. Park your car and go inside the bank, restaurant,
pharmacy or whatever.
* Resist scams
Like so many things in life, there's no quick fix for lousy
gas mileage.
Over the years, I've seen ads for additives, special magnets
and even a pill that has promised to improve a car's fuel
efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Most of these products
actually provide negligible, if any, improvement in fuel
efficiency, according to Rik Paul, the automotive editor for
Consumer Reports. Especially when compared to the money you
spent on the gizmo.
* Plan around traffic
Try to plan your trips to avoid congested, high-traffic
areas with repeated traffic snarls and stop-and-go driving.
Every trip I make that puts me in the Washington, D.C. area,
for example, involves a concerted effort to avoid traveling
the beltway. If it can’t be avoided, then I time things to
arrive when traffic is at low; even if it means starting
the trip in the middle of the night.
Well, that's it for this week, group. Thanks again for
reading, and please keep those comments, complaints and
questions coming in.
You can send me an e-mail message at: Email Pierce
Until next week, thanks for reading.
Your Tipmeister,
Pierce
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The Iraqi parliament has asked the US to withdraw. Should we
just leave?
Please share your opinion, visit: The Question of the Week
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