Driving Habits to Improve Fuel Efficiency

Driving Habits to Improve Fuel Efficiency

· Avoid quick or 'jackrabbit" starts and stops.

· Aggressive driving wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.

· Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour.

· Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon.

· Use cruise control because it helps you maintain a constant speed limit.

· Use overdrive gears because the engine speed goes down saving gas and reducing engine wear.

· Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items in your trunk.An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical

car's fuel economy by 1-2 percent.

· Use air vents to circulate air instead of air conditioning.

Preventative Maintenance Tips:

Simple preventative maintenance steps that you can do to conserve energy, protect your investment, improve highway safety and benefit the environment include:

· Regularly changing your oil

· Inflating your tires properly

· Taking your vehicle for annual brake inspections

· Changing the windshield wipers

Whether you do it yourself or visit a professional technician, the Car Care Council recommends regular inspections of the following systems:

· Brakes

· Electrical and ignition

· Emission control