Tips for Improving Fuel Economy
With today’s high gas prices, it’s worth taking a few minutes out of your
day to make a few checks that can improve your gas mileage.
- Keep your tires properly inflated & check them frequently. Don’t
forget to check the spare tire as well.
- Keep your car’s suspension & steering in proper alignment.
- Keep the engine in a good state of tune by regularly completing
maintenance spelled out in the owner’s manual.
- Replace key filters regularly such as air and fuel filters.
- Make sure your car’s brakes are operating properly and not
dragging.
- Repair body damage…that crunch on the front fender can add
aerodynamic drag and increase fuel consumption.
- Don’t use premium fuel unless your car requires it; otherwise it’s an
unnecessary expense.
Drive Smarter by…
- Modern engines do not require long warm-up times. There is no
need to let the engine idle long periods after start-up
- When driving on the highway in hot weather, close the windows and
use the air conditioner. Today’s aerodynamically designed vehicles
provide better fuel efficiency when driven with the windows closed.
- Avoid jackrabbit starts. Decelerate and accelerate smoothly by
anticipating merging traffic and stoplights.
- Remove unnecessary items (weight) from the trunk.
- Keep your speed constant and use cruise control on long stretches
of highway. 55 MPH is still the most fuel-efficient speed for many of
today’s vehicles.
- On long trips, be prepared for unexpected roadside emergencies.
Make a checklist of some important emergency items: flashlight, cell
phone, jumper cables, road flares, blankets, ice scraper, water, jack,
and tire tools. If you are a member of a roadside assistance
program, make sure your membership status is up to date.
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