365 Ways to Save Gas, by Ronald M. Weiers

The Author's Official Website

365 Ways to Save Gas -- Photos and News Release, May 18, 2007.

To Download High-Resolution Photo, Please Click [ Here ].

The Butcher, the Baker, and (hey, we couldn't find a Candle-Stick Maker), author Ron Weiers.

Thanks to Scott Cunningham (Cunningham Meats) and Mary Masterson (Reeger's Farm & Cafe) for being such good sports.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 18, 2007

 Saving Gas at the Summer Pump:

The Butcher, the Baker... and the MPG-Maker!

INDIANA, PA – As the price of gas was soaring to all-time highs even before Memorial Day and the fuel-thirsty summer driving season, three brave souls showed how we all can begin saving 15-20% at the pump – and right now! The unlikely test trio included a real butcher and a real baker, but substituting for the elusive candlestick-maker was Dr. Ron Weiers, author of 365 Ways to Save Gas (DK Penguin.)

When it was all over, the butcher and the baker drove as efficiently as they could, but the expert still got up to 19% better mpg just by following his own advice. Butcher Scott Cunningham, of Cunningham Meats, managed 34.4 mpg. Baker Mary Masterson, of Reeger’s Farm & Cafe, got 33.8 mpg. Applying only a baker’s dozen of his 365 tips that anyone can duplicate, the efficiency author got a whopping 40.1 mpg.

In the midst of his turn at the wheel, the author asked, “Have you noticed anything different about the way I’m driving?” In general, the responses were “accelerating more gently,” “smooth,” “steady,” and “you don’t seem to use the brakes very much.” These comments were good, but very general. As explained in the book and at the author’s website, http://365waystosavegas.com, there are many different and subtle tricks to making such general strategies work. For example, tip #19 tells drivers how to save gas by allowing more space when following a “brake tapper.”

Everyone drove the same mixed-mode course of 11 miles, and under the same conditions. Average mpg was precisely measured by ScanGaugeII instrumentation from Linear-Logic, Inc., and the test vehicle was a 2005 Toyota Corolla LE automatic.

All are from Indiana, Pa., hometown of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, most famous for the perennial holiday movie classic, It’s A Wonderful Life. It was a wonderful test.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Dr. Ron Weiers

Adjunct Professor, H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie-Mellon University.

If you happen to be taking a road trip, you'll enjoy the delicious food and down-home activities at Reeger's Farm & Cafe. You can also stop by and visit at [ www.reegersfarm.com. ] By the way, Cunningham Meats are pretty good too. And they're all nice people -- what else would you expect from Jimmy Stewart's hometown?