The summer months are upon us. For most American families this means family vacations, summer sports leagues and barbeques in the back yard are in full swing. However, with high gas prices, many families are being forced to cut back on some of these activities. In fact, the latest trend is "staycations," or vacations taken in your hometown or nearby. There is relief on the horizon though, if Americans are willing to fight for it!
What can you do to help? Next time you go to buy a car, truck or SUV, consider buying a hybrid or flex-fuel vehicle. You can also practice fuel conservation. Here are some suggestions:
- Take your car in for regular engine tune ups.
- Install new air and fuel filters.
- If you car is renewable fuels compatible, use ethanol-blends like E85 whenever and wherever possible.
- Drive slower. It's amazing how much fuel you can save just buy slowing down a little.
- Consider starting a carpool at work. Fewer cars on the road to fight in traffic!
- Consolidate trips. Before heading out for your weekly errands, plan out your trip so you can hit as many places as possible in an efficient manner.
- Use mass transportation if it's available. If your house and work are close to a public transit line such as a bus or subway, consider buying a monthly pass.
- Walk or ride a bike for short trips. Instead of driving four blocks to the grocery store just to get a few things on a nice day, take a walk.
Add it all up, and our country could fuel itself from January 1, 2009, until July 4, 2009 =97 more than half the year. With all this talk about dependence on foreign oil, isn't it nice to know that we could potentially fuel our own country for seven months! And with advancements and current research in the renewable fuels arena that number could expand much further. Want to do you part in fighting foreign oil? Sign the online petition in support of declaring our Energy Independence today.
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