Filling up is a fact of every driver's life, but for some drivers it is a necessary evil. If you are one of those people who gulps every time you have to fill up your vehicle, there's good news: there are some simple things you can do to improve your fuel economy no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
Monitoring your average fuel economy regularly is a good idea, too. (Some vehicles have a handy computer that computes this for you.) If you notice a significant change, then something has changed with your vehicle.
Here are 10 things you can do today to get better gas mileage right away.
1.) Follow the Recommended Maintenance
A vehicle that is well maintained means it will operate with greater efficiency. This not only improves your overall vehicle performance, but it will improve your fuel economy as well. Fouled spark plugs, a dirty air filter or clogged fuel filter will all affect your fuel economy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), replacing a clogged air filter can increase your mileage by 10 percent, while replacing an oxygen sensor could result in an improvement as high as 40 percent. Proper maintenance also means using the right octane gas and the recommended grade of motor oil. Using the recommended types for your vehicle will give you optimum fuel economy — and can save you money as well. Check your owner's manual for your vehicle's recommendations and have maintenance performed regularly by a dealer or reputable mechanic.
2.) Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Underinflated tires require more energy to roll, which translates into more frequent fill-ups. You can improve your fuel economy by about 3.3 percent if you keep your tires inflated properly, according to the DOE. The psi number noted on the sidewall of your tires is the maximum pressure of the tire and is not the proper inflation level for your car. Your vehicle manufacturer will list the recommended tire pressure in your owner's manual or a sticker on the doorjamb of the driver-side door. Buy a tire-pressure gauge and check your tires monthly, adding air as necessary.
3.) Take off a Load
Off Heavier vehicles require more energy to move, so carrying around excess weight will also affect your mileage. Empty out your trunk (or even your backseat) of unnecessary items. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk will reduce your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent in the typical vehicle. If you have a roof rack or roof carrier, install it on your vehicle only when absolutely necessary. Not only does the carrier add extra weight, but it also increases the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle, which further contributes to a loss of fuel economy.
4.) Don't Drive Aggressively
We're not talking road rage here, but the type of driving many people do when they are in a rush. Mashing the accelerator pedal from a stoplight, braking hard and speeding all contribute to a decrease in fuel economy. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination and think "steady and smooth" as you drive. On surface streets, driving at the speed limit will give you mostly green lights, which improves your gas mileage as well as reduces the wear on your brakes. On the highway, the DOE says that every 5 mph you drive over 65 mph represents a 7-percent decrease in fuel economy.
5.)Use the Highest Gear Possible
Cars are designed to start in the lowest gear possible because that's where they have the most power, but that power translates to an increase in fuel consumption. To improve your fuel economy, drive in the highest gear possible when you are cruising at a steady speed, such as on the highway. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission with a "sport" mode, it's most likely that this is a computer program designed to shift later (and therefore keep you in a lower gear longer). While this gives you greater performance, driving in "sport" mode will also decrease your fuel economy.
6.)Use Cruise Control — Selectively
Using cruise control can improve your gas mileage by helping you maintain a steady speed, but only if you are driving on mostly flat roads. If you are driving in hilly terrain, using cruise control typically causes your vehicle to speed up faster (to maintain the preset speed) than it would if you were operating the accelerator yourself. Before you push that cruise control button, think about the terrain ahead.
7.)Think Clean
Keeping your car washed and waxed improves aerodynamics and therefore affects fuel economy. Engineer Tom Wagner, Jr. reported to Stretcher.com (as in stretching your dollars) a 7-percent improvement in fuel economy, from 15 to 16 mpg, during a 1,600-mile road trip.
8.)Avoid Excessive Idling
When a car is idling, it is using fuel, yet not going anywhere. This translates to 0 mpg. When you leave your car running while you are waiting in line at the drive-thru, or as you wait outside your kids' school, you are wasting fuel. It is more efficient to turn the engine off while you wait and then restart the car. If that's not practical (like in the line at McDonald's), then park the car and go inside instead.
9.)Think Before You Vent(ilate)
Running your air conditioner does cause your vehicle to consume more fuel, but driving with your windows rolled down can be even worse due to the increase of drag on the vehicle. If you are driving slowly, such as around town or in city traffic, then you are better off leaving your windows open, if at all possible. For highway driving, roll up the windows and turn the air conditioning on.
10.)Combine Your Errands
A little planning can make a big difference in fuel economy. When your engine is cold, it uses more fuel than when it is warm. Combining errands can improve your gas mileage because your engine will be warm for more of the trip. It might also mean you travel less total miles. According to the DOE, several short trips all begun with a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a single, longer trip that covers the same distance.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Why Drink Water?
Without water you could exist no more than a few days. That is why water is considered the most important nutrient to our body. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60-65 percent water. Muscle is made up of 70 percent water, while fat is only 22 percent. Water is responsible for transporting needed nutrients to the body's cells and transporting the waste out. This is why water is so important to us.
When a person does not drink enough water daily his or her body will tend to save it. We call this water weight. It occurs when the body stores more water than is necessary. There are other reasons some people are prone to water weight. For some it may be a diet high in sodium or starchy carbohydrates. For women it may fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle.
How much water do we need daily? Some professionals say 64 ounces, while others say ½ ounce per pound of body weight. Since no two people are alike I recommend drinking ½ ounce of water per pound of body weight considering you have no medical ailments. For example, some people with heart problems are unable to drink that much fluid or a dangerous amount of fluid buildup could occur. If you are one of these people consult with your physician for advice.
Your daily water intake could also vary depending on your physical activity level. The more active you are the more water your body will need. Water should be drank evenly throughout the day and not all in one or two glasses. You can get water from a variety of sources like fruits, fruit juice, tea, soft drinks, and some foods; however the more water you drink in plain form the better.
Since most city water contains chlorine and other unwanted contaminants we recommend drinking reverse osmosis water.
NOTE: Even though soft drinks contain water keep in mind that most also contain caffeine which actually dehydrates the body. In fact, any drink that contains caffeine will act as a diuretic.
Water and Fat Loss
The levels of oxygen in the bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. The more oxygen the body has readily available the more fat it will burn for energy. Without the presence of oxygen the body cannot utilize stored fat for energy efficiently. Not only will the body burn more fat when well hydrated but because the increased oxygen levels you will also have more energy. http://www.tbfinc.com/water.htm
When a person does not drink enough water daily his or her body will tend to save it. We call this water weight. It occurs when the body stores more water than is necessary. There are other reasons some people are prone to water weight. For some it may be a diet high in sodium or starchy carbohydrates. For women it may fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle.
How much water do we need daily? Some professionals say 64 ounces, while others say ½ ounce per pound of body weight. Since no two people are alike I recommend drinking ½ ounce of water per pound of body weight considering you have no medical ailments. For example, some people with heart problems are unable to drink that much fluid or a dangerous amount of fluid buildup could occur. If you are one of these people consult with your physician for advice.
Your daily water intake could also vary depending on your physical activity level. The more active you are the more water your body will need. Water should be drank evenly throughout the day and not all in one or two glasses. You can get water from a variety of sources like fruits, fruit juice, tea, soft drinks, and some foods; however the more water you drink in plain form the better.
Since most city water contains chlorine and other unwanted contaminants we recommend drinking reverse osmosis water.
NOTE: Even though soft drinks contain water keep in mind that most also contain caffeine which actually dehydrates the body. In fact, any drink that contains caffeine will act as a diuretic.
Water and Fat Loss
The levels of oxygen in the bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. The more oxygen the body has readily available the more fat it will burn for energy. Without the presence of oxygen the body cannot utilize stored fat for energy efficiently. Not only will the body burn more fat when well hydrated but because the increased oxygen levels you will also have more energy. http://www.tbfinc.com/water.htm
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tips for Preventing Litter in Your Community
When was the last time you saw someone littering? It may be hard to remember. But litter just doesn’t appear—it’s the result of careless attitudes and waste handling. Is there anything you can do? Knowing more about litter and where it comes from is a good place to start.
Why People Litter
Research by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. found that people
litter because:
❊ they feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as
parks and beaches are public property.
❊ they believe someone else—a park maintenance or
highway worker—will pick up after them.
❊ litter has already accumulated.
"Litter-known" Facts
Motorists and pedestrians are often blamed for litter. There
are actually seven primary sources:
❊ household trash handling and its placement at the curb
for collection
❊ dumpsters used by businesses
❊ loading docks
❊ construction and demolition sites
❊ trucks with uncovered loads
❊ pedestrians
❊ motorists
Litter is blown about by wind and traffic or carried by water.
It moves until trapped by a curb, building or fence. Once
litter has accumulated, it invites people to add more
Litter and Your Taxes
Litter is a costly problem. Highway departments spend
millions of tax dollars and many hours annually picking up
litter—money and time needed for more important services.
Local, state, and federal governments also spend money
removing litter left by careless park visitors.
Clean communities also have a better chance of attracting
new businesses than those where litter is common.
What Can I Do?
❊ Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering.
❊ Carry a litterbag in your car.
❊ Make sure trash cans have lids that can be securely fastened.
If you have curbside trash collection, don’t put loose trash
in boxes.
❊ Tie papers in a bundle before placing them in a curbside
recycling bin.
❊ If you own a business, check dumpsters daily to see that top and
side doors are closed.
❊ If you or a member of your family is involved in a civic group,
scouting, or recreational sports program, encourage the
group to "adopt" a spot in your town and maintain it on a
regular basis.
❊ Make litterbags for your bicycle, and give them to your
friends, too.
❊ Report areas where people have illegally dumped garbage and
debris to your local highway, public works, or conservation
office, and ask that the material be removed.
❊ Volunteer to help organize a cleanup.
Can I Do More?
❊ Ask the organizers of a festival, fair, or other outdoor event in
your community to make it a "litter-free" event. This can be
done by giving out litterbags at entrances and making sure that
everyone who attends knows that it is a"litter-free"day.
Affiliates of Keep America Beautiful have organized litter-free
concerts, fairs and minor-league baseball games.
❊ Cover open loads on all trucks
❊ If you are a contractor, ask your chapter of the National
Association of Home Builders about the "Build America
Beautiful" program.
❊ Encourage a school to start a "clean campus" program. This
could include placement of trash receptacles, litter pick-ups,
and projects in which students track litter’s origins.
❊ Ask marina operators if your Boy of Girl Scout troop or civic
group can pass out litterbags to boaters. Public boat ramps are
also good spots to give away litterbags.
Why People Litter
Research by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. found that people
litter because:
❊ they feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as
parks and beaches are public property.
❊ they believe someone else—a park maintenance or
highway worker—will pick up after them.
❊ litter has already accumulated.
"Litter-known" Facts
Motorists and pedestrians are often blamed for litter. There
are actually seven primary sources:
❊ household trash handling and its placement at the curb
for collection
❊ dumpsters used by businesses
❊ loading docks
❊ construction and demolition sites
❊ trucks with uncovered loads
❊ pedestrians
❊ motorists
Litter is blown about by wind and traffic or carried by water.
It moves until trapped by a curb, building or fence. Once
litter has accumulated, it invites people to add more
Litter and Your Taxes
Litter is a costly problem. Highway departments spend
millions of tax dollars and many hours annually picking up
litter—money and time needed for more important services.
Local, state, and federal governments also spend money
removing litter left by careless park visitors.
Clean communities also have a better chance of attracting
new businesses than those where litter is common.
What Can I Do?
❊ Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering.
❊ Carry a litterbag in your car.
❊ Make sure trash cans have lids that can be securely fastened.
If you have curbside trash collection, don’t put loose trash
in boxes.
❊ Tie papers in a bundle before placing them in a curbside
recycling bin.
❊ If you own a business, check dumpsters daily to see that top and
side doors are closed.
❊ If you or a member of your family is involved in a civic group,
scouting, or recreational sports program, encourage the
group to "adopt" a spot in your town and maintain it on a
regular basis.
❊ Make litterbags for your bicycle, and give them to your
friends, too.
❊ Report areas where people have illegally dumped garbage and
debris to your local highway, public works, or conservation
office, and ask that the material be removed.
❊ Volunteer to help organize a cleanup.
Can I Do More?
❊ Ask the organizers of a festival, fair, or other outdoor event in
your community to make it a "litter-free" event. This can be
done by giving out litterbags at entrances and making sure that
everyone who attends knows that it is a"litter-free"day.
Affiliates of Keep America Beautiful have organized litter-free
concerts, fairs and minor-league baseball games.
❊ Cover open loads on all trucks
❊ If you are a contractor, ask your chapter of the National
Association of Home Builders about the "Build America
Beautiful" program.
❊ Encourage a school to start a "clean campus" program. This
could include placement of trash receptacles, litter pick-ups,
and projects in which students track litter’s origins.
❊ Ask marina operators if your Boy of Girl Scout troop or civic
group can pass out litterbags to boaters. Public boat ramps are
also good spots to give away litterbags.
Tips for Exercise Success
Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking or any of dozens of other activities can help your heart. They all cause you to feel warm, perspire and breathe heavily without being out of breath and without feeling any burning sensation in your muscles. Whether it is a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all exercise adds up to a healthier heart.
Here are some tips for exercise success:
-If you've been sedentary for a long time, are overweight, have a high risk of coronary heart disease or some other chronic health problem, see your doctor for a medical evaluation before beginning a physical activity program.
-Choose activities that are fun, not exhausting. Add variety. Develop a repertoire of several activities that you can enjoy. That way, exercise will never seem boring or routine.
-Wear comfortable, properly fitted footwear and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the weather and the activity.
-Find a convenient time and place to do activities. Try to make it a habit, but be flexible. If you miss an exercise opportunity, work activity into your day another way.
-Use music to keep you entertained.
-Surround yourself with supportive people. Decide what kind of support you need. Do you want them to remind you to exercise? Ask about your progress? Participate with you regularly or occasionally? Allow you time to exercise by yourself? Go with you to a special event, such as a 10K walk/run? Be understanding when you get up early to exercise? Spend time with the children while you exercise? Try not to ask you to change your exercise routine? Share your activity time with others. Make a date with a family member, friend or co-worker. Be an active role model for your children.
-Don't overdo it! Do low- to medium-level activities, especially at first. You can slowly increase the duration and level of your activities as you become more fit. Over time, work up to exercising on most days of the week for 30-60 minutes.
-Keep a record of your activities. Reward yourself at special milestones. Nothing motivates like success!
Here are some tips for exercise success:
-If you've been sedentary for a long time, are overweight, have a high risk of coronary heart disease or some other chronic health problem, see your doctor for a medical evaluation before beginning a physical activity program.
-Choose activities that are fun, not exhausting. Add variety. Develop a repertoire of several activities that you can enjoy. That way, exercise will never seem boring or routine.
-Wear comfortable, properly fitted footwear and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the weather and the activity.
-Find a convenient time and place to do activities. Try to make it a habit, but be flexible. If you miss an exercise opportunity, work activity into your day another way.
-Use music to keep you entertained.
-Surround yourself with supportive people. Decide what kind of support you need. Do you want them to remind you to exercise? Ask about your progress? Participate with you regularly or occasionally? Allow you time to exercise by yourself? Go with you to a special event, such as a 10K walk/run? Be understanding when you get up early to exercise? Spend time with the children while you exercise? Try not to ask you to change your exercise routine? Share your activity time with others. Make a date with a family member, friend or co-worker. Be an active role model for your children.
-Don't overdo it! Do low- to medium-level activities, especially at first. You can slowly increase the duration and level of your activities as you become more fit. Over time, work up to exercising on most days of the week for 30-60 minutes.
-Keep a record of your activities. Reward yourself at special milestones. Nothing motivates like success!
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