Ten Fuel Saving Tips

We all want better fuel economy out of our cars and trucks. Before you and your family take to the roads, follow these ten fuel saving tips to help you go farther before needing a refill.

#1 Slow Down

Aerodynamic drag forces an engine to work harder and use more fuel. Simply decreasing your highway speeds can dramatically increase your fuel economy.

#2 Jackrabbit Starts

Quick accelerations might get you off the line faster, but it will get you empty faster too; lowering fuel economy by as much as 33 percent. Engines require the most fuel when accelerating from a full stop, so apply the gas moderately. Guess what? Hard braking is equally bad for fuel economy!

#3 Trip Planning

If you're going out for an errand run, plan all of your stops ahead of time to avoid unnecessary driving. Try not to drive during rush hour; the constant starting, stopping and idling decreases fuel economy.

#4 Car Pooling

Consider joining a car pool. Go on line and find various options.

#5 Air Conditioning

The use of air conditioning also reduces fuel economy based on speeds and operating conditions.

#6 Tune Ups

You depend on your car every day, and your car depends on you. Visit your trusted service mechanic for regular tune ups. Not only can it help your car last longer, but it can also help you get better fuel economy.

#7 Check Your Tires

Not only are under-inflated tires dangerous, but they can reduce your fuel economy by up to 3 percent. So keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.

#8 Empty Your Trunk

Does your trunk double as a mobile storage facility? All that extra weight requires extra power and extra fuel from your engine. For every 50 kilograms, fuel economy is reduced by up to 2 percent, especially if you drive a smaller, lighter car.

#9 Reduce the Revs

Driving in gears which rev the engine wastes fuel. Let automatic transmissions determine the proper gear. With standards, choose the gear with the lowest rpm which doesn't risk stalling or "lugging" the engine.

#10 Avoid the Idle

Unnecessary idling is one of the most common ways of wasting fuel. What about "warming up" the engine? In most climates, modern fuel injected cars don't require warming up. If you're not moving or about to move, turn off the engine.