Gas Usage … How Patriots Can Help

A most wonderful article

admin August 16, 2026 3 minutes read

Maybe you have noticed that we are at war with Iran. Past wars have involved efforts to curtail the use of fossil fuels. Rationing of gasoline in World War II was a big encumbrance on the entire U.S. population. But citizens cooperated willingly in the spirit of patriotic support of the war effort.

This too shall pass, as other crises have. But in the meantime, patriots can do their part to help.

Here we are almost a century later. Fuel prices are high due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Of course, “high” is relative: they reached somewhat higher levels under the Biden administration, even though there was no war on.

Patriots can help the current war effort with respect to fuel usage in many ways. Here are 10 tips:

Take fewer trips in your car.
Drive the speed limit: higher speeds cause disproportionately higher fuel consumption. If the roads are not crowded, consider even driving 5 MPH below the speed limit. In the previous crisis during the 1980s, we all had to limit our speed to 55 MPH. Not that big a deal.
If you own more than one vehicle, consider favoring the one that gets the better gas mileage. I own a 1981 VW Rabbit diesel that gets better than 40 MPG.
Check tire pressures: manufacturer’s recommended pressures are likely to produce optimum mileage.
Consider car-pooling with a neighbor when you plan your errands.
Avoid jack-rabbit starts.
If you live in a rural area, consider purchasing a 500-gallon farm tank. Fill it when prices are low, then consume in times of crisis. Rinse, repeat.
GasBuddy is an app that reports lowest fuel prices in each state by type and grade of fuel.
Electric vehicles make sense if you can recharge them off grid. Otherwise, you will probably end up using more fossil fuel remotely due to the cost of electric transmission.
Bicycles also save lots of fuel.

This too shall pass, as other crises have. But in the meantime, patriots can do their part to help.

READ MORE:

Karoline Leavitt Stepping Down As White House Press Secretary

Abdul El-Sayed Rewrites the Meaning of ‘Democrat’ in Michigan

Trump Renews Fight Over Birthright Citizenship With New Executive Orders

Tim Mellon is an American entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist, and patriot. Born in Pittsburgh, raised in Virginia, he is the grandson of 1920s Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Yale. The former owner and chairman of Pan Am Systems, Tim’s interests and pursuits include flying, exploration, and the search for the missing aircraft of Amelia Earhart, a subject we have explored here at The American Spectator.