Fuel Efficiency
Whether you drive a gas-guzzling SUV or a fuel-efficient compact car, the high price of gasoline can be a major factor in the cost of your trip. But with some planning, you can find ways to save at the pump. Take a look at the information and resources below, and use it to help get the most from your vehicle or generator. If you have a tip or link that you would like to share, please send it along using the contact button at the bottom of every page of the site.
Buy Or Rent The Right Vehicle
If you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, think about fuel economy. The Department Of Energy has a great fuel calculator that lets you compare the cost of driving cars with different MPG ratings. Most people don’t give it much consideration, but the difference can be shocking. Edmunds has an interesting online calculator to help you determine the true cost of ownership.
If the car you own doesn’t get great gas mileage and you’re planning a long trip, consider renting a car. You may find that you could save more on gas than the cost of the rental.
When renting, check out the MPG rating of the vehicle you book. If you’re making reservations in person or on the phone - ask. If you’re making that reservation online and the rental agency doesn’t list the fuel economy, you can easily open up another browser window and do a quick search for the car make/model and the keyword ‘MPG’ for an answer.
Vehicle Maintenance Tips
Keeping your vehicle properly maintained is crucial here. Oil, filters, transmission, tires... all those things play a part in getting better gas mileage. Replacing a clogged air filter alone can improve your gas mileage by ten percent, on a long haul trip taking care of these details can really pay off.
Getting your brakes checked is another option to consider. This article has some interesting information about how brakes can impact fuel economy.
Do you hate going to an auto shop without knowing anything about what needs to be done? Knowledge is power - click here to check out a fantastic web app from Edmunds. You enter basic information about your car, and it will give you recommendations for service and maintenance. It’s specifically tailored to your vehicle, and even factors in the mileage.
Even if you aren’t a mechanic, there are things you can do or check yourself to make a difference.
Packing Tips
When loading up your car or truck for a long trip, think safety first. Items going on the roof or in a trailer - secure them! The sides of the road are littered with a dizzying array of seemingly random items. Shoes and boots, a lawn chairs, clothes, wigs, tarps, mattresses, and even a disco ball are things I’ve seen come off of vehicles going to or from Burning Man.
Going beyond safety, you should also give some thought to aerodynamics. When you put stuff on the roof of your car or truck, you’re adding to the wind resistance that the vehicle will face on the open road. Try avoiding a big flat wall of gear towards the front, as that will cause the most resistance or drag. If you are loading a tow-behind trailer, try not to pack any higher than the vehicle that’s towing the trailer.
Driving Tips
The best tip is simply to slow down. No matter how excited you are about getting to your destination as quickly as possible, speeding and aggressive driving can put a big dent in your fuel economy. If you avoid speeding, you’ll not only save lives but save dollars as well. Check out this link for information about driving efficiency.
Generator Tips
The first tip is to make sure you actually need a generator. Just because you or your campmates has a generator does not automatically mean you should bring it on the trip. Most camps on the playa actually have very minimal power requirements, and there are some advantages to finding an alternative to bringing out a generator. Less noise, less hassle (filling and hauling gas cans around, etc), and less expense (of fueling and maintaining a generator). Trickle chargers for cell phones, cameras, and other small devices can be powered by inexpensive solar kits, or an inverter/charger. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns instead of bringing along strings of lights.
Energy efficiency is another factor. Most generators are rated on their maximum load, but get the best fuel efficiency at about half that. It’s also worth noting that generators run less efficiently on the playa (altitude, temperature, and dust are factors), making it best to plan for a lighter load on your equipment.
Keeping your generator maintained properly will not only keep it running, but keeps it running well. Check and replace the filters, and make sure it has oil. And whether you’re on the playa or out in the wild, a sound baffle is a good idea. Not only does it dampen the noise that you, your campmates, and all nearby campers will have to hear when your generator is running, but a good baffle also blocks against wind and dust. The E-Playa message board on the Burning Man site has a good thread on the subject.
Useful Sites
CleanMPG - online community with forums for discussing fuel efficiency and hypermiling
Daily Fuel Economy Tip - the name says it all
Edmunds - great resource for new/used car buyers
Fuel Economy.gov - a site run by the Department of Energy and a great resource for links
Fuel Economy Maximizing Behaviors - Wikipedia’s page on the subject of hypermiling.
Hypermiling - site devoted to getting maximum miles per gallon