Have a Nice Trip: Pennsylvania Approved Roadtrip Etiquette
It has happened to you: you're driving along cheerily, not a care in the world, when someone comes barreling up out of nowhere and affixes himself to your rear bumper like a barnacle. Or blows so much smoke out the tailpipe that you don't know whether to go blind or stop breathing. Or idles and revs her noisy, gas-guzzling behemoth in front of your house at 5:30 a.m. Oh, yes, you know what we're talking about.
Nobody ever admits it, of course, but somebody's out there committing these sins against road etiquette. Are you sure it's not you? VisitPA.com is here to help. We've compiled a list of gentle suggestions to help you have a pleasant roadtrip through the STATE OF INDEPENDENCE in these times of rising gas prices, maniac drivers, and less-than-perfectly maintained vehicles. If we all follow these rules, we'll save gas, lessen wear and tear on our cars, and restore a measure of civility to our roadways.
Rules of the Road for Responsible and Thrifty Roadtrippers:
A full car is a happy car. Nobody should go on a roadtrip alone! It's a waste of gas, and besides, it's boring. You can't play license-plate bingo by yourself, and if you take your own picture at the scenic overlook, you'll look like a weirdo. Invite neighbors, friends, cousins, and dogs to take a trip with you through the State of Independence (but maybe not all at once).
Unnecessary cargo is trashy. A trunkload of bricks, a dead television, that
marble statue you keep meaning to drop off at your country estate — get rid of it! By some estimates, hauling around an extra 100 pounds can cost a mile per gallon.
Idle engines are the devil's playground. In addition to polluting the air with noise and exhaust, an idling engine gets zero miles per gallon and consumes up to one gallon of gasoline per hour.
Some kinds of inflation are good. Not gas prices, not egos — but tires. Make certain yours are properly inflated. When they're not, it's like driving with the parking brake on, and it can cost a mile or two per gallon.
Check your cap, please. We thought suffering from "the vapors" went the way of the buggy whip, but it turns out that loose, damaged, and missing gas caps allow 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
Don't be a jerk. Yes, yes, all of these rules point to that obvious admonition, but we're talking about sudden stops and starts right now. Jerky driving can cost up to two miles per gallon.
Be polite. Aggressive driving lowers gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and five percent on city streets — that's 87 cents per gallon and 13 cents per gallon, respectively, at current prices. So be nice.
Speed kills mileage. Driving above the speed limit can incrementally increase your gas usage rate. Stay to posted limits — poking along is just as bad, manners-wise. And while we're on the subject, don't hog the left lane. Ever. And use your turn signals!
Put the spark back into your relationship — with your car. It can have up to eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, and that wastes fuel. So, replace them when they're worn out.
Keep it clean. A dirty air filter is not only slovenly, but it also wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing your air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 26 cents a gallon.
Finally, know where you're going. Nothing wastes gas (and time, and patience) like getting hopelessly lost. Be sure to stop by VisitPA.com before your roadtrip to plan your route, scope out the attractions, and even book your rooms. A little planning goes a long way!
