Saving gas for the extremist

It's Wednesday. Time for my small attempt to save the planet. You're gonna love these. You all know the big ideas to get the best gas mileage. Well here are a few obscure suggestions.

Here are tips that will save you pennies:

1. Know where you are going/if it's in stock/if they are open. Don't waste gas driving all over town trying to find the last purple sparkle hairbrush in the city. Call ahead and confirm. Know where you are going first. There is nothing more frustrating or gas-eating than driving up and down streets for 45 minutes.

2. Hold out to run errands in off peak times. You will spend less time in traffic and waiting at lights.

3. Try not to travel on dirt of gravel. It reduces your gas mileage up to 30% (I don't think you have a choice in this, but maybe you do)

4. Remove luggage, bike, and ski racks from your car. They only cause drag.

5. Remove any unnecessary weight from your trunk.

6. Freeze. Your car does not need to warm up for its benefit, it's only your benefit. Tough it out to save a dime or better yet, park it in the garage.

7. Drive steadily. Speed up and slow down gradually.

8. Don't weave. Drive in a straight line. It's the most efficient.

9. Turn your AC off 10 minutes before you get there. It's still cold for those 10 minutes and you are using less gas.

10. Don't accelerate uphill. Build speed up before the incline, maintain it on the way up, then coast down.

11. In stop and go traffic, don't use the AC and roll down the windows.

12. If you are idle for more than 30 seconds, turn your car off.

Yes, some of there are extreme, but some are small choices you can make to save a dime. It's sad to say, but trust me, they actually work. There is a time and a place for all of them, just use your judgement.

Happy Wednesday!

Good luck.