bedwards09 - Slashdot User

Submission + - Microsoft Office 2007 VS OpenOffice v2.0 and Micro

Submitted by

chewjekhui

on Tuesday May 29, 2007 @12:39AM

Feed 'Probiotics' could save frogs from extinction (pheedo.com)

From feed by nsfeed on Tuesday May 29, 2007 @12:33AM

Feed Babies can spot languages on facial clues alone (pheedo.com)

From feed by nsfeed on Tuesday May 29, 2007 @12:33AM

Feed Gene in the frame for autism (pheedo.com)

From feed by nsfeed on Tuesday May 29, 2007 @12:32AM

Feed Human antibodies successfully treat bird flu (pheedo.com)

From feed by nsfeed on Tuesday May 29, 2007 @12:32AM

Submission + - 10 Ways To Get 70% Better Gas Mileage

Submitted by

ryanshamus

on Tuesday May 29, 2007 @12:09AM

ryanshamus writes: "http://ryanshamus.com/automobiles/10-ways-to-get-7 0-better-gas-mileage/ So I've decided to post something today that will be of value to anyone and everyone that comes across my blog. They say to give readers something valuable and they'll come back. So amidst the rising (sometimes out of control) gas prices around the country and even around the world, below are 10 ways to get 70% better gas mileage! I drive roughly 60 miles each day on average, so for all of those out there that are in the same pool as me, then hopefully this will help you put a few bucks back in your pocket. After writing this, I added up a rough estimate (percentage wise) of how much gas you can save by following these easy tips. The answer? You'll see at the end of this article. 1. Tighten that gas cap! Did you know that all the people that forget to tighten their gas caps cause an annual loss of 147,000,000 gallons of gas due to evaporation? Insane. Remember, the gas will escape if you give it a chance, so tighten that cap down hard! 2. Pump up those tires! Driving on under-inflated tires can cause a staggering 15% loss in overall gas mileage. "Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60," says Brian Moody, road test editor at Edmunds.com. Check them once a week if possible..it only takes a few minutes of your time and proper inflation could save you a lot of money! 3. CHECK YOUR AIR FILTER. This may be one of the most important things to do in saving your gas mileage. Dirty air filters cause the engine to work a lot harder and will eat up a lot of your gas mileage. A $10 clean filter could give you upwards of 10% more miles per gallon. That's like getting 10% off every time you fill up! Get it changed every 3,000 miles (usually when you get your oil changed). Trust me on this one! 4. Use the right oil. An easy way to get a 1-2% boost in gas mileage is to use the right oil for your automobile. Read the manufacturer's guide and see what they recommend. Also when you know which grade/weight of oil to use — look for ones that also say "energy conserving" on the label. These oils have special friction reducing additives that will also help. 5. Slow down, speedy! Nearly everyone that drives is guilty of speeding at one point or another, but driving fast can be very costly! Check this out — by driving 70mph in a 55mph zone, you are burning a mind-blowing 17% extra gas. Whoa! Obey the speed limit, it's not only there to save your life, but to also save your checking account. 6. Time for a tune-up! Having an engine that feels like you do on Saturday morning can really make a difference in how much gas mileage you get. Keeping your engine happy by performing routine maintenance (including checking spark plugs, as misfiring plugs can waste up to 30% of your gas mileage) can boost your miles per gallon by about 4%. 7. Clean out your damned trunk already! By carrying excess weight in your automobile, you are wasting gas every second that you drive. Did you know that for every 100 pounds of excess weight, you are losing between 1-2% of your miles per gallon? That adds up pretty quick. While you're at it, go on a diet! 8. Turn off your meat locker. Look, I'm just as guilty as the next person, but running that A/C on full blast as soon as you hop in the car/truck can plummet your gas mileage by 10-20%! Try rolling down all the windows and opening the sunroof first. Utilize the summer breeze as your coolant. After all, it's free. 9. Kill the idle. Wanna know how to get ZERO miles per gallon? Leave your car running while parked. When you idle, you're car is burning gas and getting you no where! Make sure you turn it off for those quick runs into the grocery store or bank, it'll really add up in the end. 10. Clearing the roof. Do you still have that Christmas tree tied on the top? Or how about the luggage rack from vacation last year? Take it off now! By having stuff on top that you don't need, you are increasing air drag, which eats about 5% of your gas mileage. So find room inside the car for grandma, as she is wasting money being tied on top of the roof. After totaling all of these percentages and factors, (and keep in mind this is on the conservative side) — by following these tips you can get up to 70% better gas mileage than you get right now! That's assuming that you are breaking all of these rules, and it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of people were. I know I'm guilty of not following at least 7 of them. So remember me when gas hits $5.00 per gallon and you'll thank me. Money is fine :)"