Big Savings on Gas While you Travel!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Gas prices are soaring! This has resulted in elevated travel expenses. If you travel by car, YOU have some control over the costs.

Here are some ways to save money on gas:

* Switch to synthetic motor oil. It reduces engine friction and may make your car a little less ravenous at the gas station. (There are brands available claiming 5%-20% increases in fuel economy.)

* Use the manufacturer's recommended grade of oil. Manufacturer specs are based on what is best for your specific vehicle.

* Buy gas with the recommended octane rating. Premium can actually be detrimental to many engines.

* Fill up during the coolest times of day. You get more gas in each gallon, because liquids expand in the heat. The pumps are measuring gallons, not weight.

* Make sure that the gas cap is tight after you fill up. Gas evaporates easily - you can lose an appreciable amount through an improperly seated cap.

* Check your tires before your holiday and inflate them to the manufacturer's recommendations. Underinflated tires create drag and increase gas consumption. Always carry a tire gauge in your glove compartment.

* Never drive on bald tires! Besides being unsafe, they also increase fuel consumption.

* Don't leave your engine idling for long periods of time. This includes pre-warming - one minute is all you need. Start off slowly, then use normal speeds after a couple of minutes.

* Don't continually start and stop your engine. Each start burns about the same amount of gas as one minute of idle time.

* Drive the speed limit on highways - speeding devours gas. Activate your cruise control whenever possible, and when cruise is not engaged remember the 'egg' trick: drive like you have a raw egg between the floorboards and the gas pedal.

* Stop lights in cities are usually set to synchronize with the posted speed limit. Drive the speed limit and you are more likely to hit a long series of green lights. Stopping at red lights increases idle time and gas consumption.

* Drive in a way that entails minimal use of the brakes.

* Don't pack more than you need. The more weight you carry, the more gas you use.

* Decrease wind resistance. A car caked with mud, snow, or ice will cause drag and burn more gas than a sleek, clean vehicle.

* Don't use the air conditioner unless necessary. Vehicle air conditioners increase fuel consumption.

* Pamper your vehicle by ensuring that it goes in for regular tune-ups and maintenance. Slight adjustments can mean dramatic fuel savings. Ask the maintenance people to add fuel injector cleaner whenever the oil is changed.

* Some communities have websites that post fuel prices at local gas stations. Do your research before you leave to find out where the cheapest stations are. Use common sense: driving too far out of your way will gobble up more gas than you save. Try gasbuddy.com (USA and Canada) and your favorite search engines.

* If you own a gas guzzler, try trading with a relative or neighbor for a smaller vehicle while you vacation. (Make sure that insurance policies on both vehicles are in order first.)

* Use your feet! Once you get to your destination, walk whenever possible. Walking is how you really get to know an area.

Save money, save the environment - and have more cash to spend on your vacation!

Kathy Steinemann is a webmaster who writes for: * 111 Travel Directory * 1000+ Travel Tips * Adult Escapes

A Good Debut For A Great Car

Monday, August 4, 2008

Well with the showing that the 2009 camaro had, it's a good thing that GM is going to build the car, the camaro had had a long life with muscle car fans in this country, and it's poised to do it all over again, if GM can stay in business, they seem to be having a rough time along with all the other motor companies.

The camaro came out in 1967, to do battle with the Ford mustang, and a battle it was, either car could win with the right person behind the wheel, the right pilot if you will, and then in 1968 Don Yenko, owner of Yenko Chevrolet, in Canonsburg, PA. This brilliant man would create a monster that would give the camaro name a reputation befitting a king.

The sYc or “Super Yenko Camaro” would propel Don Yenko to super star status in the muscle car world, the cars were very expensive, so in turn not a lot of them were ever produced, 1969 turned out to be the magic year for these cars, in 1969 of the Yenko camaro two even meaner camaros would spawn, 1 known as the COPO or “Central Office Production Order” 9560 and the 9561, the only difference between these two cars was the engine, the 9560 “AKA” ZL1 had an all aluminum 427 CID engine rated by the factory at 425 HP, this of course was a serious under rating, the car actually made about 600 HP.

The 9561 was a cast iron block, so you can imagine the difference in performance between the two cars, the power to weight difference was phenomenal, and only the most experienced drivers could even handle one of these monsters, and Chevrolet is poised to do it again with the 2009 camaro, it’s not the exact same idea, but it is a great step toward Chevy getting their muscle car heritage back in order.

The 2009 Camaro runs a 400 HP LS2 6-Liter V8 engine, and sporting the power train from a Corvette, this car will be awesome, also sporting 22” rear wheels and 21” front wheels in it’s unrevised form, but the spokesman from Chevrolet says that when the car is released it will have 21” rear wheels and 20” front wheels, of course the difference won’t be noticeable to your eye, but it will save some cash for Chevrolet.

This car is a tribute to Chevrolet’s ingenuity and creativity, the one thing that will help to keep them alive in this economy that seems to be horrible for the automotive industry, if anybody can do it Chevrolet can.

I've been in the automotive business for about 20 or 25 years now, and worked in all facets of the automotive industry, from mechanical repair to restoration and parts, for American and import cars.

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