Here are some methods that can help car owners save money on gas

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine this weekend about the bad case of selective amnesia Americans tend to have as a whole. Do you remember memorial day earlier this summer when gas prices were well over $3/gallon? There were news stories everywhere about how SUV and truck sales were plummeting and Toyota and Honda sales were increasing.

Seems now that gas prices have fallen we've done it again. Truck sales are increasing dramatically. Figure that a new truck will probably last at least 10 years. Do people really think that gas will stay at today's prices for that long?

Here's some reality. Gas will be at $5/gallon within 3 years. Not exactly stepping out on a limb with that prediction, but it's my prediction none the less. So, in the not so distant future here is a method that will help anyone save hundreds if not thousands in gasoline expenses depending on how far their commute takes them.

• Don't drive - Take a bike, walk, ride a horse, segeway, unicycle, big wheel, hot air balloon,whatever. Not a new idea, but perhaps it's time to rethink it. More exercise, better health, and smaller gas bill. Also saves money on car insurance.
• Public transportation - Always a good idea, especially if you live in a city that has it. Here in West Virginia there's a tractor that goes through town which people can jump on if they need a ride to the county fair, but that's it.
  
• Drive, but don't use gas -- This method is really effective if you have to drive downhill most of the way. You can use your car, but do not use the engine. This will save you tons on gas and dramatically improve your mileage. Doesn't work quite as well uphill, but the Flintstones seemed to work it out ok, so why not try?
• Drive and use gas, but use someone else's car -- This method is really great for you, but has no net benefit for the environment. You get all the benefits of not driving (lower gas cost for example) with all the benefits of driving while using the motor. Test this out with friends, especially friends with an extra car that they don't really use that much.
  
• Don't pay for gas (not recommended) - All those stickers with a very serious looking state trooper saying that you will lose your license if you drive off without paying make this method less likely to work longterm. Shorterm, however, you will definitely save on gas.

These are just a few. If anyone has more ideas I'd love to hear them. We should all be collecting these ways to save money on gas now so we can implement this in the $5 days ahead.