, as our way of saying have a happy and safe holiday weekend. (If you are staying in town this Labor Day weekend,
With gas prices at record levels, everyone is looking for ways to save money
at the pump. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests the following
tips to help conserve gas.
10 Ways You Can Save Gas:
1. Go the speed limit. Use cruise control.
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or
range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an
additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also
safer.
2. Drive Sensibly.
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It
can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent
around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save
more than gas money.
3. Avoid idling and rush-hour traffic.
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more
gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
4. Keep your engine properly tuned.
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test
can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary
based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious
maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by
as much as 40 percent. Find an independent service center near you that sells
quality ACDelco parts and can check to see if your engine is properly tuned.
5. Remove junk from the trunk.
Added weight in your vehicle affects fuel economy, so take unnecessary items
out of your trunk. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by
up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight
relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger
ones.
6. Commute to work.
Stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours. Drive your most
fuel-efficient vehicle. Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your
employer permits it. Take advantage of car pools and ride-share programs. You
can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take
turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with
multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, which are
typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy.
7. Combine trips.
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips
taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip
covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that
traveling is done when the engine is warmed up and efficient, and it can reduce
the distance you travel.
8. Use the recommended grade of motor oil.
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's
recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine
designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in
an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also,
look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol
to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
9. Keep tires properly inflated.
You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires
inflated to the proper pressure.* Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by
0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all 4 tires. Properly inflated
tires are safer and last longer.
*The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is
usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and
in your owner's manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's
sidewall.
10. Avoid rooftop carriers.
A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to
meet your needs with a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease
your fuel economy by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel
economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible. Avoid carrying
unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 lbs in the trunk reduces a
typical car's fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
Preparing For A Road Trip: Vacation Checklist
Nobody wants a road trip spoiled by car trouble! Just a little pre-trip
planning goes a long way toward ensuring a fun and safe trip for the entire
family.
Before leaving on a road trip, be sure to:
- Bring your vehicle in to us to check your
belts, hoses, brakes, lights, windshield washer fluid, wiper blades, engine oil
and coolant
- Make sure your trunk has a jack, lug wrench and other tools you'll need to
change a tire
- Check tire pressure of all tires, including the spare
- Make sure you have a working flashlight with extra batteries, emergency
reflectors, sunglasses and a first aid-kit
- Take your driver's license, vehicle registration and auto and medical
insurance cards
- Carry a spare set of vehicle keys
- Plan your route and leave a copy of your itinerary with a relative or
neighbor
- Bring any special medications and prescription information
- Take your doctor's phone number
- Take your eyeglass prescription
- Bring a cellular phone or a sign that tells passersby to “Call Police” in
case of trouble
- Have any repairs or vehicle maintenance performed before the trip—see your
vehicle's owner's manual for vehicle maintenance schedules.
Interesting Highway Information:
