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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…

• Planning your errands wisely. if you need to go several places, plan an efficient  route that allows you to make a loop.
• 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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