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Fuel
Saving Tips
- Did you know:
Every
ten days, motorists who drive with under-inflated tires
and poorly maintained engines waste 70 million gallons of
gasoline!
- 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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