It is no surprise that Americans are beat up by the big-bad-wolf oil companies at the gas pump.  The entire debate about why gasoline is so expensive and what should be done to stop it is for another time and another place.  The best thing that Americans can do is react by conserving energy and electing officials that will DO something about our energy crisis. 

A bright stop to us paying $4.00 a gallon for gas is that the environment will probably benefit from monstrous gasoline prices.  Americans will start to conserve more energy and this will allow the environment to breathe a little more.  Here are some tips for saving money by getting the most out of your tank of gas. 

1. First and foremost, do not go driving around trying to find the cheapest gas in town.  By the time you find a station with gas for 5 cents cheaper, you will have used more gas trying to look for it then you would have saved money on it. 
2. Keep your car maintained properly.  This includes changing your oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles.  Change your air filter every 2 to 3 oil changes.  Get your spark plugs checked and replace if needed.  Get your fuel system flushed.  By the way, all of these maintenances are much cheaper to do yourself, and you do not have to be a mechanic to do them!
3. Car pool to work.  There MUST be someone that lives near you, unless you are self employed or work in a very small office.
4. Do not make hard stops and fast starts.  It’s not a race, and who are you trying to impress?  Your gasoline efficiency deteriorates quickly if you act like Jeff Gordon every time you accelerate or brake.
5. If you are going on a long trip, I would suggest picking one speed and sticking to it.  Stay between 65-70 mph and you will get much better gas mileage than if you are going 80mph.  Don’t use the cruise control too much.  Your car works harder when you are not in control of it. 

I hope these tips help you.  This energy crisis may be a good thing for our country.  Maybe it will help us re-evaluate or obscene consumption of oil and natural gases.  Maybe it will make public transportation more popular.  But in the meantime, we need elected officials to step up and take care of these oil companies.  I am all about capitalism and I believe in it strongly, but oil is a commodity that is not in a free market.  There are only about 5 major choices for us to pick from, and they are all the same price!  

Now, allow me to get back to looking at buying a scooter!