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| Fuel
Saving Tips |
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| Did
you know: Every
ten days, motorists who drive with under-inflated
tires and poorly maintained engines waste 70
million gallons of gasoline! |
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If your car has 'Cruise Control" use it. Using
cruise control will save you 5% to 10% of a
gallon of gas on long trips.
Avoid constantly pressing and releasing the
accelerator when driving. This practices not
only wastes fuel, but it puts excessive wear
on the drive train of your car.
Pass other cars as soon as you see you are overtaking
them. Don't wait.
During cold weather watch for icicles frozen
to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly
accumulated! Un-removed snow and ice cause tremendous
wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed
on) will eliminate it fast.
Keep tires properly inflated at all times. (Check
pressure when cold).
Keep your car properly tuned for top fuel efficiency.
Keep brakes properly adjusted. Dragging brakes
increases resistance.
Use radial tires for less friction between tire
and road.
Use snow tires and/or chains as little as necessary
because they make your car work harder and use
more gasoline.
Keep front-end aligned for better mileage. Longer
tire life, too.
Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of
car.
Operate as small a car as possible for your
driving needs. (Small cars weighing half as
much as large cars use about half as much gasoline!)
Consider car-pooling and share the gas bill
and ride. Car pools reduce travel monotony and
gas expense - all riders chip in. Pooling also
reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver
easier maneuverability and greater 'steady speed"
economy.
Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional-misalignment.
Bent wheels, axles, shocks, broken springs,
etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high
traveling speeds.
Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early
morning or late evening is best. During these
times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas
pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities
of fuel concentration. You are charged according
to 'volume of measurement".
Never rev engine before killing it. This wastes
gas, wears out cylinders.
When you see a hill ahead, build up speed before
you reach it, then maintain your speed on the
slope. (If you must accelerate on the hill,
you will use much more fuel). Then coast down
the other side.
When starting your car avoid prolonged warming
up of engine, 30 to 45 seconds, even in cold
weather. Today's cars are designed to be driven
almost immediately.
In hot climates, drive a car with light colored
exterior and interior, to reflect light, heat.
Tinted glass also prevents heat buildup.
Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling
your engine for one minute consumes the gas
amount equivalent to when you start the engine.
Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring
advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal
speed limit you boost your chances of having
the 'green light' all the way.
Automatic transmissions should be allowed to
cool down when your car is idling at a standstill,
e. g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights,
etc. Place gear into neutral position. This
reduces transmission strain and allows transmission
to cool.
Don't overfill your gas tank. It could leak
or spill in heat or on a hill.
Use the lowest octane gas that won't make your
engine knock.
Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy
by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and
seats increase engine load, the more loads on
your engine, the fewer miles per gallon.
Shop around for service stations with the lowest
gasoline prices.
Avoid panic stops. When possible, coast to stops
such as traffic lights.
Don't ride your brake pedal, this wears out
your brake linings pre-maturely, and wastes
fuel. Use only your right foot for accelerating
and braking.
Keep windows closed when traveling at highway
speeds. Open windows cause air drag.
Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because
dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your
gas mileage.
Don't speed. Cars get about 21% more mileage
at 55 mph then at 70 mph.
Don't race or gun your engine when you start
it up. Accelerate slowly and smoothly when your
engine is cold.
Always use the shortest route and avoid sight-seeing
trips and bottlenecks.
Pack as little in your car as necessary so it
has less weight to carry.
On short trips, try walking or bicycling. It's
good exercise.
When bargain hunting, check newspaper ads and
use your telephone, do they deliver? Let them
pay for the gas! Try mail order firms, too.
Make certain your gas cap fits properly. (We
suggest a locking gas cap) During the summer
and in hot area's gas can evaporate from your
car if the gas cap does not fit properly. You
could easily loose 5 or more gallons per month!
So a properly fitting gas cap could pay for
itself in less than a month! |
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