Imagine it: gas prices so high that you can’t afford to fill your tank and if you can afford it, there's no gas available. This has become a harsh reality for many residents of Atlanta. Closed pumps and purchase limits make it a task just for drivers to simply stay above “E.” While most will start complaining and pointing the finger (figuratively speaking, hopefully) at those to blame, I’d like to offer a few tips that will help you conserve energy and save your precious pennies at the pump.


The Maroon Tiger

Runnin' on E

2.) Keep Your Tank Below the “F” - Not only will this reduce the evaporation of fuel, your car will be lighter and a lighter car equals better miles per gallon. Also, try parking in the shade to prevent further fuel evaporation, not to mention heat stroke.



3.) Buy gas at the coolest times of the day - Gas is most dense in the early morning and late evening.



4.) Regular Maintenance - Oil change, correct tire pressure, replacing air filters, brakes etc. will not only increase the longevity of your car, but improve gas mileage by 15 percent..



5.) Plan Trips in Advance – We all know Atlanta traffic. Planning your route to avoid peak traffic hours not only saves time and fuel, but prevents excessive wear and tear on your vehicle. This will improve the gas mileage and overall value of your car.



6.) Stop Driving So Fast - Speeding in the city causes more usage of your brakes. Constantly accelerating and braking floods the carburetor and wastes gas. Instead of slowly draining your tank, obey the speed limit, pump your brakes and “drive slow, homie.”

Jimmond Thomas writes for The Maroon Tiger, the Morehouse College student newspaper, which originally published this article.

Articles in the Voices section represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not reflect the views of Black College Wire.