It’s really exasperating to see fuel prices skyrocketing, right? We can only feel helpless in the face of recurring and economy-driven price fluctuations. Seeking measures to improve fuel economy is the only way to combat rising fuel prices. Do not disregard these simple guidelines; each little step can really start adding up to significant savings to your budget.
Check Tyre Pressure:
Keeping the tyres well inflated is one of the simplest things you can do to help improve your car’s fuel efficiency. You can improve the mileage by about 3.3 percent if you keep your tyres inflated properly, according to the DOE.
Lighten Your Load:
Empty out your boot of unnecessary items. For every extra 45 kg you carry, your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2% in a typical vehicle.
S-L-O-W D-O-W-N:
The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Driving within the speed limit recommended by the manufacturer helps save fuel. Driving just 5mph over the speed limit can affect fuel economy by up to 23%. Likewise, quick acceleration consumes too much fuel; accelerate slowly and gradually.
Do Fuel Quality/Types/Additives Help Mileage?
Petrol pump attendants often try to convince you to go for ‘Speed petrol’ or ‘X-tra Mile diesel’. But this need not necessarily help improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Always use the grade recommended for the vehicle by the manufacturer. Higher octane fuel may not only be a waste of money but may harm the vehicle, as well. However sticking to one brand of fuel is always good for the engine.
Tune Your Engine:
A well-tuned engine can improve fuel economy by up to 4%. So change your oil and follow your car manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing.
Clean the Air Filters Regularly :
Air filters keep impurities from damaging your engine. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy by as much as 10%.
Keep the Windows Closed:
Driving with your windows open considerably reduces mileage, far more than keeping the AC on while driving along highways. So preferably keep the windows closed and the AC on if you want to keep cool. Of course the air-conditioning decreases fuel efficiency considerably, so use it judiciously.
Clean Spark Plugs:
Ensure your spark plugs are in good condition. Renew the plugs and wires at intervals specified by the manufacturer. This will keep all cylinders firing properly resulting in higher efficiency.
Don’t Be a Clutch-Driver:
Never keep your foot on the clutch while driving. When you do this, pressure is being placed on your clutch, and it not only reduces mileage, but also wears out the clutch plate, replacing which is not cheap.
Keep the Car in Showroom Condition:
It’s always prudent to keep the car in the showroom condition. Remember that any modification to the car, such as broad tyres, diffusers etc., will adversely affect the mileage.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
One step forward in paper saving
Folks,
Last month was really successful in implementing the Paper saving techniques in my personal and work routine. Just wanted to inform you some ways which I practiced last month to easily save paper and help the earth become greener.
1. I used to take 5-6 tissue papers everyday in the canteen, most of them were unnecessary. I reduced it to only 2 per day and thus saving 4 tissues per day. means 100 tissues per month and 1200 tissues per year. I asked my group (4 others) also to follow it dedicatedly. Now you can sum it up and imagine the figure.
2. Since one month I am using only sticky notes on my desktop as a reminder and thus saving 5 small sheets per day. You can also download TK8 sticky notes for free.
3. I used to take atleast 70-80 A4 print-outs every month for checking purpose most of the time. And guess what. This month most of the time I have done checking the drawings or ppts on the screen itself. I hardly took 10 prints this month if I remember correctly. It was so easy.
4. I cleared most of the paper waste around me (Old unnecessary papers in files and drawers etc.) and sent them immediately to recycling chain instead of keeping it with me. Now my place looks cleaner and paper free.
See how easy it is to save paper without compromising your work and life. All you have to do is to stay focused.
Stay Green......
Friday, July 9, 2010
How youth can contribute?
How can the youth contribute for Gujarat and participate in the state development?(Question asked by Darpan Shah, Mahesh, Gomes, Krutagna and Arun to Narendra Modi)
Narendra Modi's Answer:
I have appealed the youth of Gujarat to come forward and do their bit towards serving the society. I have suggested four fields where youth can make significant contribution. When the youth climbs the four mountains of services for education, health, sanitation and environment - Gujarat will said to have truly touched its peak.
1: Education: Can youth devote at least 100 hours in a year for the service to the Gujarat? In a week, some can devote two hours, five hours, 10 hours in a month but it should reach to 100 hours in a year. 100 hours on the occasion of this Golden Jubliee year. Youth should have a firm determination to spend 100 hours religiously for a noble work. You can teach at any place, in any school, any chawl, society, slum area, irrespective of the place, what matters is 100 hours of teaching. If you are undertaking this mission of teaching, you can teach two students, four students, and maid in your house, an old person, you should work hard to teach anybody who is illiterate.
2: Cleanliness and Sanitation work: Youth can take a pledge for encouraging people for maintaining cleanliness. Design programmes for it, and encourage more people to participate in the programme. Youth should be ready to go to the schools, discuss the issue of cleanliness and educate students about keeping the surroundings clean. Importance of this work lies in how a small act can change over the lives of the smallest men in the state.
3: Serve the patients. Take interest in hospital and improving its general administration. Keeping a check on medicines and other supplies, to check whether facilities provided to the patients are availed by them or not. Find ways to make it easier for patients to avail these facilities. Keep a check on drinking water, sanitation facilities, and their habits of cleanliness. Find ways to prevent contagious disease from spreading. Such small initiatives bear a huge potential to change lives of people and help society to become healthier.
4: Global Warming: It is an acute problem posed to the world. Youth can take forward the preaching of respect Gandhi bapu and inculcate it in lives of the people. To live with least possible objects and pursue for an environment friendly movement- the measures to save water, energy and time.
Narendra Modi's Answer:
I have appealed the youth of Gujarat to come forward and do their bit towards serving the society. I have suggested four fields where youth can make significant contribution. When the youth climbs the four mountains of services for education, health, sanitation and environment - Gujarat will said to have truly touched its peak.
1: Education: Can youth devote at least 100 hours in a year for the service to the Gujarat? In a week, some can devote two hours, five hours, 10 hours in a month but it should reach to 100 hours in a year. 100 hours on the occasion of this Golden Jubliee year. Youth should have a firm determination to spend 100 hours religiously for a noble work. You can teach at any place, in any school, any chawl, society, slum area, irrespective of the place, what matters is 100 hours of teaching. If you are undertaking this mission of teaching, you can teach two students, four students, and maid in your house, an old person, you should work hard to teach anybody who is illiterate.
2: Cleanliness and Sanitation work: Youth can take a pledge for encouraging people for maintaining cleanliness. Design programmes for it, and encourage more people to participate in the programme. Youth should be ready to go to the schools, discuss the issue of cleanliness and educate students about keeping the surroundings clean. Importance of this work lies in how a small act can change over the lives of the smallest men in the state.
3: Serve the patients. Take interest in hospital and improving its general administration. Keeping a check on medicines and other supplies, to check whether facilities provided to the patients are availed by them or not. Find ways to make it easier for patients to avail these facilities. Keep a check on drinking water, sanitation facilities, and their habits of cleanliness. Find ways to prevent contagious disease from spreading. Such small initiatives bear a huge potential to change lives of people and help society to become healthier.
4: Global Warming: It is an acute problem posed to the world. Youth can take forward the preaching of respect Gandhi bapu and inculcate it in lives of the people. To live with least possible objects and pursue for an environment friendly movement- the measures to save water, energy and time.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saving is a good habit, lets start with PAPER.
Hello, this is a short composition about the ‘PAPER’. Made of wood simply formed out of a tree cut in some corner of the world. What is the first thought come to your mind when you hold a piece of paper in your hand? A very fresh, bright white piece of paper and nothing more. Next thing you get tempt either to write on it or to sketch on it for no reason sometimes and then throw it in a bin. Most of the people know that paper is made out of trees and we should save trees to protect the environment. But have you ever thought of the extent the woods are cut to form a virgin paper? And what quantity of paper an average person consumes per year or so? Some may think of only printing papers when one say ‘Paper’, but there are number of applications of the paper which can be taken into focus and thousands and millions of trees can be unshackled. You would be surprised (like I got) to know some far-fetched but true facts about paper.
Some statistics on paper consumption:
- The average per capita paper use worldwide is 110 pounds (50 kg).
- It is estimated that 95% of business information is still stored on paper. [Source: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Discussion Paper (IIED, London, September 1996)]
- Recycling 1 short ton (0.91 t) of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7 thousand US gallons (26 m3) of water, 3 cubic yards (2.3 m3) of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil (84 US gal or 320 l), and 4,100 kilowatt-hours (15 GJ) of electricity — enough energy to power the average American home for six months.
- Although paper is traditionally identified with reading and writing, communications has now been replaced by packaging as the single largest category of paper use at 41% of all paper used.
- 115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers. The average web user prints 28 pages daily. (Unbelievable - but true)
- Most corrugated fiberboard boxes have over 25% recycled fibers. Some are 100% recycled fiber.
Little acts of prudence, which can make a big difference in paper saving are as follows. (Applies to all level of people)
1. Less use / Don’t use Post It paper tags. Use misprint or waste papers instead.
2. Use old diaries or notebooks, which are already formed into paper out of wood, reducing purchase of fresh paper and thus less wood chopping. Buy only recycled notebooks.
3. Make maximum usage of e-tools / Mobile etc. for information transfer and communication. Avoid paper usage as far as possible. This is quite possible and have maximum impact on paper saving. An estimated 940 million people worldwide have access to the Internet, which is almost a sixth of the world’s population.
4. Apply 3R Concept – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. All you have to do is to just think for a while about 3R before using any kind of paper. I mean any kind.
5. Replace paper napkins with cloth napkins, and paper plates with regular dishes.
6. Sign up for e-statement wherever possible and avoid printed bills. Pay online wherever possible.
7. Sign up for online publications of your magazines instead of printed copy.
8. Prevent undue usage of the packaging and reuse packing material wherever possible.
9. Think before you print. Try printing double-sided and also try to print multiple pages on one to save even more paper.
10. Use scanner in office as far as possible, instead of taking print-outs.
11. Do not allow unneccessary papers to stack near you, clear them soon and send it to the proper recycling channel.
Some statistics on paper consumption:
- The average per capita paper use worldwide is 110 pounds (50 kg).
- It is estimated that 95% of business information is still stored on paper. [Source: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Discussion Paper (IIED, London, September 1996)]
- Recycling 1 short ton (0.91 t) of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7 thousand US gallons (26 m3) of water, 3 cubic yards (2.3 m3) of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil (84 US gal or 320 l), and 4,100 kilowatt-hours (15 GJ) of electricity — enough energy to power the average American home for six months.
- Although paper is traditionally identified with reading and writing, communications has now been replaced by packaging as the single largest category of paper use at 41% of all paper used.
- 115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers. The average web user prints 28 pages daily. (Unbelievable - but true)
- Most corrugated fiberboard boxes have over 25% recycled fibers. Some are 100% recycled fiber.
Little acts of prudence, which can make a big difference in paper saving are as follows. (Applies to all level of people)
1. Less use / Don’t use Post It paper tags. Use misprint or waste papers instead.
2. Use old diaries or notebooks, which are already formed into paper out of wood, reducing purchase of fresh paper and thus less wood chopping. Buy only recycled notebooks.
3. Make maximum usage of e-tools / Mobile etc. for information transfer and communication. Avoid paper usage as far as possible. This is quite possible and have maximum impact on paper saving. An estimated 940 million people worldwide have access to the Internet, which is almost a sixth of the world’s population.
4. Apply 3R Concept – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. All you have to do is to just think for a while about 3R before using any kind of paper. I mean any kind.
5. Replace paper napkins with cloth napkins, and paper plates with regular dishes.
6. Sign up for e-statement wherever possible and avoid printed bills. Pay online wherever possible.
7. Sign up for online publications of your magazines instead of printed copy.
8. Prevent undue usage of the packaging and reuse packing material wherever possible.
9. Think before you print. Try printing double-sided and also try to print multiple pages on one to save even more paper.
10. Use scanner in office as far as possible, instead of taking print-outs.
11. Do not allow unneccessary papers to stack near you, clear them soon and send it to the proper recycling channel.
Monday, May 31, 2010
World No Tobacco Day 31st May (Every Year)
World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually. The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in 1987. In the past twenty years, the day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance across the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry.
WHO has kicked off the 'World No Tobacco Day' today on 31st May targetting heavily on the Women Smokers as long as the theme for this year was 'Gender and Tobacco'. Some surprising and interesting fact have come out when they declared that 'It is estimated that more than 8% of girls between 13 and 15, or around 47 crore girls, are using tobacco products in the Asia-Pacific region'. Indian doctors said there had been a considerable increase in women smoking, especially among young college girls, attributing the rise to stress, peer pressure and high disposable incomes. WHO also added that heavily invested alluring marketing campaigns are performed by Tobacco Manufacturers to attract the young women targeting their early earning powers and so called independence in the Asia's largest growing economies.
Looking at the facts and the side (worst) effects of tobacco, I would like to strongly recommend to the youth not only the women (but especially the women) to please slowly reduce and then quite smoking soon. My suggestion to them is do not smoke while you are stressed but only when you are happy, because there are less chances of being happy then stressed. And thus less smoking.
WHO has kicked off the 'World No Tobacco Day' today on 31st May targetting heavily on the Women Smokers as long as the theme for this year was 'Gender and Tobacco'. Some surprising and interesting fact have come out when they declared that 'It is estimated that more than 8% of girls between 13 and 15, or around 47 crore girls, are using tobacco products in the Asia-Pacific region'. Indian doctors said there had been a considerable increase in women smoking, especially among young college girls, attributing the rise to stress, peer pressure and high disposable incomes. WHO also added that heavily invested alluring marketing campaigns are performed by Tobacco Manufacturers to attract the young women targeting their early earning powers and so called independence in the Asia's largest growing economies.
Looking at the facts and the side (worst) effects of tobacco, I would like to strongly recommend to the youth not only the women (but especially the women) to please slowly reduce and then quite smoking soon. My suggestion to them is do not smoke while you are stressed but only when you are happy, because there are less chances of being happy then stressed. And thus less smoking.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Urgent need to switch to alternate transport
Increasing traffic in the big cities of India like metro and semi metro cities needs to introduce extensive use of bicycle as an alternate transport. The turn around in traffic sollution is really needed. We can take an example of various cities which have made it possible to resolve the traffic. New york and Amsterdam has taken this on high priority and achieved success at so much extent. The join efforts by these two cities have started a mission called "New Amsterdam bike slam" is touching the sky and getting overwhelming response.These Cities are changing, and safe and abundant cycling is part of the new face of these cities.The New Amsterdam Bike Slam is a high-profile, positive public event which offers an open collaborative way for helping New York and anybody else who is ready to learn from their experience to move together from old to new sustainable mobility i.e. Bicycle.
The seperate bicycle tracks withing the city just besides the main roads can be constructed to allow the bicyclists for the safe and hassle free bicycle riding like they are in various cities of Europe. Its not too difficult for the Indian government to construct such kind of roads. Its a fact that everywhere separate roads are not possible but some area can be clubbed for bicycles and vehicles, some only for vehicles and some only for bicycles. Government can ask for the donations for such a noble cause from big industries.
The seperate bicycle tracks withing the city just besides the main roads can be constructed to allow the bicyclists for the safe and hassle free bicycle riding like they are in various cities of Europe. Its not too difficult for the Indian government to construct such kind of roads. Its a fact that everywhere separate roads are not possible but some area can be clubbed for bicycles and vehicles, some only for vehicles and some only for bicycles. Government can ask for the donations for such a noble cause from big industries.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Bicycle- An Alternate Transport-More Fun Green Future
BICYCLE PROMOTION KICK-OFF:
The word we all are aware of, "Global warming"-The ghost slowly slowly swallowing our only planet with life, and the effects of it, worsening day by day. But still let me remind you the severe effects of it in detail as follows:
1. Increase in global temperature will cause see level to rise.
2. Expansion of subtropical deserts.
3. Increase in the intensity of extreme weather events like flood, draught, earthquake etc.
4. Spieces extinctions
5. Agricultural yields.
6. Lots of unexpected events that may destroy the earth completely.
The whole world has started the movement of going Eco-friendly with some good measures like Reduction in greenhouse gas emission, Tree plantations, Bicycle as an alternate transport option, etc. Why should we stay behind and be only viewers? The time has come to be on the changer's side not only to be on viewer's side.
I would like to discuss here in detail about my prefered option of using Bicycle as an alternate transport option as long as the benefits are tremendous. Global and personal. The modern city is confronted with many challenges concurrently: air pollution, noise, spatial segregation, congestion and a lack of accessibility. Compared to these current situations look at the promising benefits of Bicycle use as below.
1. Less pollution due to less fuel consumption by millions of people everyday using bicycles.
2. Enhanced health of the people and communities using bicycles.
3. Less traffic on roads as less people will be seen with motorcycles and cars.
4. Less space requirements for bicycles compared to motorcycles and cars.
5. World class bicycles with better designs and safety standards will be produced because of the increase in demand.
I would like to volunteer myself for this noble cause of "Bicycle Promotion" through this blog and would like to encourage everbody to join with me in this mission. Just think over it guys..If everyone of us try to reduce fuel consumption just by avoiding few trips by "Motorcycle" or "Car" every week and opt for a "Bicycle" instead what a big difference we can make for our mother nature...
Through my upcoming blogs I will be communicating to the tremendous possibilities of bicycle usage and the world wide movements going on for Bicycle Promotion.Please add this weblink to your favourites..Lets club our hands in this very important mission just by doing a very simple act i.e. Riding a bicycle- More Fun More Future.
Very well said "If not Earth then where. If not now then when. If not us then who"
The word we all are aware of, "Global warming"-The ghost slowly slowly swallowing our only planet with life, and the effects of it, worsening day by day. But still let me remind you the severe effects of it in detail as follows:
1. Increase in global temperature will cause see level to rise.
2. Expansion of subtropical deserts.
3. Increase in the intensity of extreme weather events like flood, draught, earthquake etc.
4. Spieces extinctions
5. Agricultural yields.
6. Lots of unexpected events that may destroy the earth completely.
The whole world has started the movement of going Eco-friendly with some good measures like Reduction in greenhouse gas emission, Tree plantations, Bicycle as an alternate transport option, etc. Why should we stay behind and be only viewers? The time has come to be on the changer's side not only to be on viewer's side.
I would like to discuss here in detail about my prefered option of using Bicycle as an alternate transport option as long as the benefits are tremendous. Global and personal. The modern city is confronted with many challenges concurrently: air pollution, noise, spatial segregation, congestion and a lack of accessibility. Compared to these current situations look at the promising benefits of Bicycle use as below.
1. Less pollution due to less fuel consumption by millions of people everyday using bicycles.
2. Enhanced health of the people and communities using bicycles.
3. Less traffic on roads as less people will be seen with motorcycles and cars.
4. Less space requirements for bicycles compared to motorcycles and cars.
5. World class bicycles with better designs and safety standards will be produced because of the increase in demand.
I would like to volunteer myself for this noble cause of "Bicycle Promotion" through this blog and would like to encourage everbody to join with me in this mission. Just think over it guys..If everyone of us try to reduce fuel consumption just by avoiding few trips by "Motorcycle" or "Car" every week and opt for a "Bicycle" instead what a big difference we can make for our mother nature...
Through my upcoming blogs I will be communicating to the tremendous possibilities of bicycle usage and the world wide movements going on for Bicycle Promotion.Please add this weblink to your favourites..Lets club our hands in this very important mission just by doing a very simple act i.e. Riding a bicycle- More Fun More Future.
Very well said "If not Earth then where. If not now then when. If not us then who"
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