Being a wise steward to our limited natural resources, and save $$$

Some people may only see a small change or you may see a dramatic change (Like I did). In either case these tips can help you save up to several hundred dollars per year!

Choosing Your Car

1. Avoid cars with gas-consuming options such as air conditioning; power equipment such as window, door locks, etc.; automatic transmission, etc.

2. In hot climates, drive a car with light colored exterior and interior, to reflect light, heat. Tinted glass also prevents heat buildup.

Starting the car & engine warm-up

3. 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.

4. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.

5. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

How To Buy Gasoline

6. Make certain your gas cap fits properly.

7. Shop around for service stations with the lowest gasoline prices.

8. Check to see if there are any "self service" gas stations in your area.

9. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.

10. Use the lowest octane gas that won't make your engine knock.

11. Don't overfill your gas tank. It could leak or spill in heat or on a hill.

12. 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".

13. Record all gas purchases for tax deduction purposes.

How to Drive Economically

14. Before getting into your car, ask yourself "Is this trip necessary?"!

15. On short trips, try walking or bicycling. It's good exercise.

16. Pack as little in your car as necessary so it has less weight to carry.

17. Always use the shortest route and avoid sight-seeing trips and bottlenecks.

18. Organize activities and perform as many errands as possible in one trip.

19. If possible, avoid driving during rush hour & other peak traffic periods.

20. Make a list and do all the grocery shopping once or twice a week.

21. Better planning reduces the need for speeding, to get there in time.

22. Shift into high gear as soon as possible. If you have automatic transmission, lift your foot from the accelerator about one second early.

23. Don't race or gun your engine when you start it up. Accelerate slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold.

24. Drive evenly with a steady foot. Avoid jiggling the accelerator.

25. Avoid "jackrabbit" starts. When starting, press accelerator slowly.

26. Avoid panic stops. When possible, coast to stops such as traffic lights.

27. Don't forget to release the emergency brake before pulling away.

28. Never rev engine before killing it. This wastes gas, wears out cylinders.

29. 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.

30. Don't speed. Cars get about 21% more mileage at 55 mph then at 70 mph.

31. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

32. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

33. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

34. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

35. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, and straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping require extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. Avoid turning on the car air-conditioning while running at highway speeds, as this tends to put an immediate heavy load on your compressor and clutch. This could cause excessive wear and tear on these components. Instead turn your air conditioner on at car speeds below 25 to 30 m.p.h. This helps to preserve your expensive compressor. Use air conditioning only when necessary. Try opening the window.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. Pass other cars as soon as you see you are overtaking them. Don't wait.

43. Keep tuned to radio traffic reports & avoid traffic jams, other delays.

44. When driving, keep your eyes moving and your feet still!

45. Keep your steering wheel still too. The more you weave back and forth, the farther your car has to travel and the more gas is consumed.

46. 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.

47. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

48. Consider car-pooling and share the gas bill and ride. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

General Advice

49. When bargain hunting, check newspaper ads and use your telephone.

50. Do they deliver? Let them pay for the gas! Try mail order firms, too.

51. Let the kids run some of the errands. Let them walk to school, too.

52. Public transportation may be cheaper, especially when traveling alone.

53. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

54. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body. Remove items that cause wind resistance, such as luggage racks. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sunroof helps disturb smooth airflow (and mileage).

55. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, and unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

56. 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.

57. Keep tires properly inflated at all times. (Check pressure when cold).

58. Keep your car properly tuned for top fuel efficiency.

59. Keep brakes properly adjusted. Dragging brakes increases resistance.

60. 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!)

61. Use radial tires for less friction between tire and road.

62. Use snow tires and/or chains as little as necessary because they make your car work harder and use more gasoline.

63. Keep front-end aligned for better mileage. Longer tire life, too.

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