Comments on: Seven of my favorite ways to save money on driving expenses — and one I don’t use http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/ Personal finance, commentary, and spending less the easy way Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:24:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Colin http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-150651 Colin Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:33:23 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-150651 Re: shutting engine off and buckling up first. Keep in mind that the hardest time on your engine is when you start it. Shut it off and the oil pump stops which means your engine doesn't have oil pumping as you start it. Shutting off you engine for 60 seconds every stop light, to me, is a surefire way to prematurely age your engine by causing excess wear and grossly offset the costs of the minute gas spent idling. (I'm not sure what hybrids do but I would be surprised if the oil pump isn't started before the gas engine is started for just this reason.) Shutting the engine off sounds good up front but you may be shooting yourself in the foot and I really wish people wouldn't blindly suggest turning your engine off assuming it's built the same as a hybrid. (Hint: it's not!) TINSTAAFL. Re: shutting engine off and buckling up first.

Keep in mind that the hardest time on your engine is when you start it. Shut it off and the oil pump stops which means your engine doesn’t have oil pumping as you start it.

Shutting off you engine for 60 seconds every stop light, to me, is a surefire way to prematurely age your engine by causing excess wear and grossly offset the costs of the minute gas spent idling.

(I’m not sure what hybrids do but I would be surprised if the oil pump isn’t started before the gas engine is started for just this reason.)

Shutting the engine off sounds good up front but you may be shooting yourself in the foot and I really wish people wouldn’t blindly suggest turning your engine off assuming it’s built the same as a hybrid. (Hint: it’s not!)

TINSTAAFL.

]]> By: Zombie Money http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-150089 Zombie Money Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:02:38 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-150089 You can just use the car fan while going 40+ windows rolled up/No AC. I'm willing to sweat it out to save some $. You can just use the car fan while going 40+ windows rolled up/No AC. I’m willing to sweat it out to save some $.

]]> By: Slinky http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-149474 Slinky Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:05:14 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-149474 I say the best is to drive a standard, which sort of goes with your last point. Putting the clutch down is similar, but not quite to being in neutral. It takes the car out of gear. Put the clutch down on hills and when coasting and you will save gas. I say the best is to drive a standard, which sort of goes with your last point. Putting the clutch down is similar, but not quite to being in neutral. It takes the car out of gear. Put the clutch down on hills and when coasting and you will save gas.

]]> By: Ed http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-149376 Ed Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:36:29 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-149376 I should have mentioned that, for those who charge a ton, the AMEX Blue Cash card is great. Once you reach $6,500 a year in purchases, you get 5% back on gas, groceries, and drug store purchases and 1.5% back on everything else. The rebates are cash taken right off your bill once a year, and there is no rewards cap. Last year, we got back over $800. I should have mentioned that, for those who charge a ton, the AMEX Blue Cash card is great. Once you reach $6,500 a year in purchases, you get 5% back on gas, groceries, and drug store purchases and 1.5% back on everything else. The rebates are cash taken right off your bill once a year, and there is no rewards cap. Last year, we got back over $800.

]]> By: Ed http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-149375 Ed Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:33:22 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-149375 For a great gas card, try the Citibank Driver's Ege Options Card. You get 3% on gas, groceries, and drug stores, plus you can increase it by sending them your mileage for a 1 cent per mile driven reward match. National City also offers a card which offers enhanced rebates on a number of categories including gas. The Everyday Rewards Visa offers 4% cash back on up to $250 per month in gas purchases. As far as the neutral shifting idea, GM is already building a feature into some of their cars that automatically shifts the transmission into neutral at stop lights to save gas. For a great gas card, try the Citibank Driver’s Ege Options Card. You get 3% on gas, groceries, and drug stores, plus you can increase it by sending them your mileage for a 1 cent per mile driven reward match. National City also offers a card which offers enhanced rebates on a number of categories including gas. The Everyday Rewards Visa offers 4% cash back on up to $250 per month in gas purchases.

As far as the neutral shifting idea, GM is already building a feature into some of their cars that automatically shifts the transmission into neutral at stop lights to save gas.

]]> By: Abby http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-149093 Abby Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:56:43 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-149093 I try not to use the air conditioning, because in Seattle it's only occasionally really *necessary* to cool down that way. Usually windows down will easily do the trick. And it just burns SO much more gas. I try not to use the air conditioning, because in Seattle it’s only occasionally really *necessary* to cool down that way. Usually windows down will easily do the trick. And it just burns SO much more gas.

]]> By: mbhunter http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-149075 mbhunter Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:23:26 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-149075 Joel: It probably is but I don't want to even test it. ;) Mapgirl: I drive a 2004 Corolla with automatic transmission. If I overshoot N from D, I would hit R. Also, I do "sweat it out" and drive with the windows up and the AC off for as much as I can stand. Joel: It probably is but I don’t want to even test it. ;)

Mapgirl: I drive a 2004 Corolla with automatic transmission. If I overshoot N from D, I would hit R.

Also, I do “sweat it out” and drive with the windows up and the AC off for as much as I can stand.

]]> By: Todd http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-149040 Todd Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:19:58 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-149040 This is too about the AC...if your car is relatively new (5-7 years), it is a wash between AC on and windows down at higher speeds because of the drag created by opening the windows. Now if you don't mind sweating in a mini-greenhouse, you could shut the windows and turn the AC off. This is too about the AC…if your car is relatively new (5-7 years), it is a wash between AC on and windows down at higher speeds because of the drag created by opening the windows. Now if you don’t mind sweating in a mini-greenhouse, you could shut the windows and turn the AC off.

]]> By: Bill http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-148853 Bill Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:03:40 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-148853 Don't forget about properly inflating your tires! Barack Obama's imploring that it saves gas notwithstanding (oh, I'm sure it saves a little bit to a lot, but who knows?), tires <i>last longer</i> when inflated the proper amount. That means you don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars a year or two too soon. Buy a used hybrid. Group your errands into as few trips as possible. Drive on the freeway rather than in the city. Or just buy a bike and spend all you saved in gas on food :) Don’t forget about properly inflating your tires! Barack Obama’s imploring that it saves gas notwithstanding (oh, I’m sure it saves a little bit to a lot, but who knows?), tires last longer when inflated the proper amount. That means you don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars a year or two too soon.

Buy a used hybrid. Group your errands into as few trips as possible. Drive on the freeway rather than in the city.

Or just buy a bike and spend all you saved in gas on food :)

]]> By: Lou http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/comment-page-1/#comment-148821 Lou Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:58:36 +0000 http://www.mightybargainhunter.com/2008/08/13/seven-of-my-favorite-ways-to-save-money-on-driving-expenses-and-one-i-dont-use/#comment-148821 Mapgirl, I wouldn't say it's "vastly unsafer", especially with a standard (which is what I drive). And I believe it's nearly impossible to throw any car into reverse above 5mph. Search the mythbusters site for this, they tested the crazy idea that throwing your car into reverse would help you stop quicker. But for an automatic, you're adding one more thing to deal with - gotta throw back into drive at the right moment, which does add to the distraction issue. However small that distraction is. Also, even with an automatic, simply taking your foot off the gas is control. Anything you do with the accelerator when your car is running and in gear affects your speed. Throwing into neutral eliminates that control. My biggest point though, is the efficiency factor. I don't have links, but try searching the cars.com site. The "brothers" have mentioned this exact issue on their NPR radio show in the past. Cheers! Lou Mapgirl,

I wouldn’t say it’s “vastly unsafer”, especially with a standard (which is what I drive). And I believe it’s nearly impossible to throw any car into reverse above 5mph. Search the mythbusters site for this, they tested the crazy idea that throwing your car into reverse would help you stop quicker.

But for an automatic, you’re adding one more thing to deal with – gotta throw back into drive at the right moment, which does add to the distraction issue. However small that distraction is.

Also, even with an automatic, simply taking your foot off the gas is control. Anything you do with the accelerator when your car is running and in gear affects your speed. Throwing into neutral eliminates that control.

My biggest point though, is the efficiency factor. I don’t have links, but try searching the cars.com site. The “brothers” have mentioned this exact issue on their NPR radio show in the past.

Cheers!
Lou

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