They say bad habits die hard.  That is true when it comes to driving bad and wasting gas.  Save on gas by not doing the following thanks to an article on Yahoo by Peter Valdes-Dapena of CnnMoney.com :

1. Racing away from green lights

When the light turns green, you don’t have to take off as quickly as possible. That pedal under your right foot is called the “gas pedal” for a good reason. The more you press down on it, the more gas you’re pumping into the engine.

Press lightly on the gas pedal, and you’ll still accelerate, and you’ll still get where you’re going. You might be surprised at how little pressure it takes to get your car up to speed in a reasonable time.

2. Racing up to red lights

When you’re driving down the street, and you see a light red light or stop sign up ahead, you should lay off the gas sooner rather than later.

There’s no point in keeping your foot on the gas until just before you reach the intersection. Let off the pedal sooner and give your engine a rest as you coast to the stop while braking gently. As an added benefit, your brake pads will last longer, too.

By themselves, these first two tips can improve your fuel economy around town by as much as 35 percent, according to tests conducted by automotive information Web site Edmunds.com.

3. Confusing the highway with a speedway

Even if it doesn’t involve hard acceleration, speeding wastes gas. The faster you go, the more air your vehicle has to push out of the way. It’s like moving your hand through water. The faster you try to move your hand, the harder the water pushes back.

In tests by Consumer Reports, driving at 75 miles per hour instead of 65 miles per hour reduced fuel economy by between 3 and 5 miles per gallon, depending on the vehicle.

4. Bumper-buzzing

Tailgating is a bad move for many reasons. First of all, it’s unsafe. You reduce your ability to react if the car in front of you slows or stops. It also means you have to pay ultra-close attention to that car which reduces your ability to scan for other hazards ahead of you and to the sides.

And tailgating wastes gas. Every time the driver ahead taps his brakes, you have to slow down even more than he did. (That’s because you can’t react immediately so you have to slow even more because you’re slowing down later.) Then you accelerate again to get back up to speed and resume your bumper-buzzing routine.

Hang back and you’ll be safer - plus you’ll be able to drive more smoothly and use less fuel. A good rule of thumb is to allow two seconds of space between your car and the one ahead. You can figure that out by counting off two seconds after the car in front of you passes an obvious landmark like an overpass.

5. Driving standing still

You’ve probably heard that it takes more gas to restart a car than to let it run. Maybe that used to be true, but it isn’t anymore. With modern fuel-injection engines, it takes very little extra gas to restart a car once it’s warmed up.

Idling, meanwhile, burns about a half-mile worth of gas every minute, according to the California Energy Commission. That’s why hybrid cars shut down their gasoline engines whenever they stop, even for a moment.

Now you don’t want to shut your engine down for every little stop in your regular, non-hybrid car - it’s not designed for that - but if you’re waiting for someone to run in and out of a convenience store, turn off the engine.

And don’t go through the drive-through at fast food restaurants. You’re already paying enough for the oil in those chicken nuggets.

Bonus tip: Don’t idle your engine to let it warm up before driving. It does your engine no good and it wastes gas. Instead, start driving right away, but drive gently until the engine is warm.

6. Short hops

For really short trips, take advantage of the opportunity to get some exercise. Try walking to the store instead of driving. You can save gas and burn a few calories instead.

If you can’t hoof it, save up your errands. A lot of short hops that let the engine cool down at home between trips can use twice as much gas as starting the car once and making a big sweep to all your stops, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Go to your farthest destination first so your engine has a chance to reach its optimal operating temperature. Then make your other stops on the way back. With the engine warmed up, the car will restart easily and run efficiently all the way home.

Remember to save more on PUMP N’GO and tell friends and family to get a load of us at www.pumpngo.com

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/579/6-ways-youre-wasting-gas;_ylc=X3oDMTE3YjFtdXFhBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawN3YXN0aW5nLWdhcw–

http://www.cnnmoney.com

Don’t have the money to buy into a hybrid or a fuel-efficient vehicle?  Never fear, hypermiling is here.  Believe it or not, you can add more mileage to your car by simply following a few driving techniques such as the following thanks to a WIRED article:

Hypermiling 101:

1. Go easy on the accelerator and follow the speed limit. It’s a no brainer, but how many people actually drive 55 mph? Fuel economy drops like a stone above 60 mph, so slow down. You’ll bump your fuel economy by 7 to 23 percent.
2. Take all the junk out of your trunk. Why are you hauling those tire chains in July? When’s the last time you used those golf clubs? That big brush guard with the million-candlepower lights may look cool, but it’s killing your fuel economy. Every 100 pounds of stuff you’re needlessly hauling around drops your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. Ditch it and it’ll rise accordingly. While you’re at it, lose the roof rack and gain another 5 percent. Keep the spare though. You’ll need that.
3. Get a tune-up and use the lightest viscosity oil your engine will live with. A well-tuned engine is an efficient engine, and lighter weight oil reduces drag. Can’t remember the last time you had a tune-up? Getting one could raise your fuel economy as much as 10 percent.
4. Keep your tires properly inflated. The softer the tire, the greater the rolling resistance - and the more gas you burn. Being 10 pounds under pressure can cut fuel efficiency by 4 percent. Pump those babies up!
5. Don’t idle. How many miles per gallon do you get sitting in the drive through? Zero, that’s how many. If you’re going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine.

Advanced hypermiling: OK, you’ve mastered the basics. Now you’re ready for the big time.

1. Buy a fuel economy gauge. Nothing will turn you into a hypermiler faster than seeing, in real time, exactly how much fuel you’re sucking down. If your car was built after 1995, fuel economy computers like ScanGauge are plug-and-play. Older cars may require a vacuum gauge, but they’re pretty easy to install.
2. Coast. Hyper-milers suggest turning off the engine and coasting downhill. Be warned, though - automakers and some consumer groups say you could lose the power brakes and steering, making the car hard to turn and stop.
3. Inflate tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall. The pressure recommended by the automaker is a compromise between fuel efficiency, handling and comfort. If you want maximum efficiency, go for the maximum pressure. The ride quality will suffer, but you’ll get better mileage. Here, too, critics have a warning - over-inflating your tires could lead to premature wear and poor handling.
4. Lay off the brakes. In traffic, maintain a slow creep instead of accelerating and braking. Ignore the horns and middle-finger salutes.
5. Draft. This one’s controversial because it’s dangerous. But we trust you: Inch up behind, say, an 18-wheeler, and kill the engine as you enter its slipstream (you’ll feel it). You’re drafting now, getting pulled along by the truck’s gas instead of your own.

Many more tips on hypermiling below.  Keep on saving by reading PUMP N’GO.

http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Get_More_Than_40_Miles_Per_Gallon_Without_a_Hybrid

http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2008/06/hypermilers09

http://www.ecomodder.com

http://www.cleanmpg.com

The classic rocker Neil Young is singing to a different tune–electric cars.

With the advent of electric cars getting a rebirth, the musician has decided to partner up with his friend Johnathan Goodwin, a mechanic who has a reputation nationwide for re-engineering power systems in average cars to gain more horsepower and rely less on fuel.

Goodwin has developed a prototype power system that is being used on Young’s 1959 Continental Convertible which they tested not too long ago with some glitches. But the feat of making Young’s Convertible into an electric car is fascinating with a positive future. And that future involves using Young’s car as the staple for the first affordable mass-produced electric automobile.

“The technology to make a practical and affordable electric car has been around for a long time,” Goodwin noted. PUMP N’GO couldn’t agree with him more with this notion. The fact is the technology is here, and the national Automakers need to take notice.

Neil Young is optimistic about the change in the technology.

“You know, I thought long ago you could change the world by writing songs,” he said. “But we could change it with this car.”

To quote a lyric from one of Neil Young’s songs, “I’ve been searching for a heart of gold.” Indeed. PUMP N’GO feels that Neil Young has found his “pot of gold” in electric cars.

http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx?articlepath=APNews/Music/20080601/People_Neil_Young_20080601.xml&cat=entertainment&subcat=music&pageid=1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HBhOCRulJgU

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_young

Oil fell at $126 a barrel today due to concerns of oil tankers not being unloaded along the golf coast according to the U.S. Dept of Energy Information Administration.  Also, the dollar gained significantly in the market beating the yen in the Asian Markets.

Meanwhile, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission admitted that it has conducted an investigation into the oil market trading industry for nearly six months.  Price manipulation is the focal point of the investigation and further transparency of the markets are being initiated.  PUMP N’GO doesn’t doubt price manipulation in the markets as such activity exists already in the Stock Market.  This activity makes the rich investors and traders cash in the benefits while the consumer hits pay dirt with high gas prices.

Maybe oil should not be traded in a commodities market.  By doing so, we can feel much better that oil would be dealt with by traditional trading(country to country) thus possibly reducing the price of gas on consumers wallets.  What do you think?

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/oil-prices-fall-to-near-126-a-barrel/n20080530014209990008

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

http://www.cftc.gov/

As of today, oil sets a new record at $135 a barrel with national U.S. gasoline prices reaching $3.83 a gallon(possibly $4.00 on Memorial Day Weekend).

Concern for supply and demand of oil pushes the price high for crude and gives the market traders reason to spike their bets against a weak dollar.

“The market is really structurally tight … oil demand is not growing that fast but supply is constrained,” said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore.  Still, the cost of gas is going up and that is hitting a toll on Americans and the economy.  Congress even had a committee hearing about the oil crisis with oil executives who pretty much had the same excuse as to why prices are high–economic crisis.

Let’s face it, just because this world is full of crisis every day doesn’t mean that oil companies should adjust prices for gas.  They need to focus on providing the right price to the consumer if they want to win their hearts over.  Otherwise, they’re in a for a big surprise if gas reaches $5.00 or more a gallon in the future.  And the consumers won’t be so light hearted as they are today towards these oil companies.

The Govt has a role in this too and they should pass more legislation regulating gas prices all across the board.  That would help the U.S. economy and the people tremendously.   PUMP N’GO will keep an eye out for more gas price news for you in the future.  Stay connected.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/

Considering that hybrids nowadays are quite expensive, you can now buy a kit that will allow you to convert your existing car into a plug-in hybrid.

A start-up company called Poulsen Hybrid in Conneticut claims it can help you do just that for under $4000.  The system is basically a couple of rear wheel hub motors which can be installed in any coventional car increasing its mileage up to 100mpg.  It has two rear electric motors, onboard charger and uses a Lead Acid battery pack(with six batteries inside).

Poulsen Hybrid says that system will work “equally well with rear- and all wheel drive vehicles, gasoline or diesel fueled.” It “does not touch existing brake, steering and suspension systems. The system will be available in kit form and can be owner installed in 3-4 hours. Conversions will also be offered through dealerships and a planned network of authorized installers.”  You can see the major parts attached on the outside of the wheels which look like train wheel.  But it’ll save you gas.

The system may be available for purchase in June 2008 and the kit will retail for about $3300 and the conversion process about $600.  It’s not a bad idea considering gas prices are going to be high this summer.  So why not save gas with a conversion hybrid kit from Poulsen Hybrid.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/080508-Start-Up-Claims-to-Convert-Any-Car-into-a-Hybrid/

http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/

You heard it right.  Get around high gas prices with “The Get Around.”

The Get Around is an electric car created by Brad Freeman of Carlsbad, CA.  The characteristics are as follows:

- It’s a 4 door hatchback

- Speeds reaching 65 mph

- Am/FM CD stero

- Sun Roof

- GPS Navigation

The Get Around uses a standard household 110 volt outlet to charge the car which lasts about 4-6 hours and off you go.  It even has a sun roof to catch some rays while cruising.  With the ability to go up to 60 miles on a single charge, the Get Around is not that bad to use for short distance driving.

PUMP N’GO is glad that small time inventors and entrepreneurs such as Brad Freeman are creating solutions to rampant high gas prices.  PUMP N’GO doesn’t mind “getting around” gas with The Get Around.

http://thegetaround.com/

Gas Tax Holiday is “the stupidest idea I ever heard.”

Michael Novogratz, president of the Fortress Investment Group and the 317th richest man in America made that statement while being interviewed in a conference by the New York Times in reference to Hillary Clinton and John McCain’s solutions for the gas crisis.

With the ever so dwindling economy that the U.S. is facing, the prude investor relates the economic turmoil to the then dot-com bubble burst in the late 90’s.

“As the price of oil goes up, there’s got to be a green revolution. I think of what will be the next driver of the American economy, and it’s green energy. That’s a huge growth opportunity. It’s not about the pollution. It’s about the energy. Gas will go to $10 a gallon,” he said.  $10 a gallon?   PUMP N’GO wouldn’t be surprised if gas reached that magnitude.

With the ongoing fight for oil and the craziest prices we’ve seen so far in the U.S.A., one can only imagine that the solution to our dependency of oil relies on green technology.  We advocate going green whether it’s producing hybrids, bio-fuels, alternative technologies such as electric and solar.   By doing so, we’ll be doing this nation of ours and quite possibly the world a favor–creating breathing space for future generations.

The investor also talks about pollution and profits as being tied together which we don’t deny because the big oil companies are wreaking major profits every year from such claims.  Going green can also herald a new generation of technology that can possibly reduce a number of crisis that we face today such as oil, food shortages.  Going green is not just for PUMP N’GO, but it’s for everyone.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/only-greentech.html

http://www.fortressinv.com/

Gas rose to $3.77 a gallon in the United States as of today.   What caused this rise in price was a result in the options market where oil futures expired creating an uncertain future for crude.

Options allows investors to bet as to whether oil will rise or fall in the future(think speculation) thus making the price of crude oil go crazy.

With the sudden impact that the oil crises has created for the U.S. Economy and other nations, there’s seem to be no end in sight for skyrocketing oil prices except for a few notable theories.  Some predict that gas prices will peak around $3.90 or before Memorial Day.   Mike Lynch, president of Strategic & Economic Research says “I don’t think we’ll go much higher than that.”   Well Mike, we hope that you’re right, because if not, brace yourself for another ride on the rising oil train.

Read more below.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/oil-falls-as-options-expire-gas-prices/n20080515151709990024

http://www.energyseer.com/

Bush recently stated his concern for rising fuel costs though his sentiment and actions to curb these costs seemed rather lackadaisical.  At a recent conference, Bush attempted to charm his way out of answering questions relating to growing concern for rising gas prices & accused the reporter of “dragging him into the 08 Presidential Race” by questioning his plans and/or solutions to increasing fuel costs in comparison with McCain, Clinton and Obama’s policies.  As advocates of less fuel consumption we’re concerned by the president’s nonchalant approach as well as concerned with the presidential candidates’ potentially ill fated solution which is influenced by political motives.

Those of us who oppose the gas tax holiday do so for good reason.  There has been much scrutiny of what temporarily reducing gas prices could do.  A tax cut could cause a surge in demand enabling prices to rise at an even faster rate than they are now particularly during the summer months when demand is higher.  Truth be told, higher prices and speculation that prices will continue to rise in the future has in effect caused a drop in consumption.  For more than 6 consecutive weeks gas prices has risen and the trend will likely continue throughout the summer.

The U.S. consumes about 385 million gallons a day.  Americans only have themselves to blame for the massive consumerism that has landed us in the middle of a crisis.  For one, Americans have undeniably consumed more and more gas over the last decade thanks to our high demand for gas guzzlers.   Car company exec’s themselves have admitted the continual production of SUV’s and trucks is due to the existing demand.  Lastly, legislators have failed to create, impose or put into action any viable gas price solution over the years; rather they propose vague, half-hearted plans i.e. the Gas Tax Holiday.

If nothing is done now then our future is doomed with perhaps 10 dollar a gallon prices.  In 1992, former Senator Paul Tsongas may have foreseen today’s crises.  During his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination he proposed a 50-cent gas tax to control demand and fund research and development for alternative fuel though the bill was unanimously rejected.  At the time gas cost a whopping 1.04 a gallon- go figure.