- Keep your Car in Good Shape – Before you head out-of-town, check your vehicle’s tire pressure and change the oil and the air filter if need be. Cars with clean air filters can get up to 14 percent better gas mileage. Using the grade of motor oil that the auto manufacturer recommends adds efficiency as well; look in the vehicle’s manual to see which type to purchase.
- Click on the Cruise Control – Leave your lead foot at home! According to the fuel economy.gov, aggressive driving–speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking–can lower your vehicle’s gas mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds and 5 percent around town. Using cruise control can help you stay under the speed limit when you’re on the highway.
- Plan your Fuel Stops Ahead of Time – Gas prices vary widely from state to state–and even from one side of town to the other. Check websites such as fuelgaugereport.com and gasprices.mapquest.com to compare costs before you run your errands for the day.
- Cool Efficiently – Don’t crank up the air-conditioning as soon as you get in the car. Start by rolling down the windows. Keep them open as long as you’re driving than 40 mph. Then, when you enter the freeway, close the windows and switch on the AC. The wind drag caused by open windows at high speeds makes the car burn more fuel than it does when the AC is running.
- Save at the Pump – If you suspect you’re not getting optimum gas mileage, consider cleaning your car’s fuel intake system with a product such as STP gas treatment (about $2 at most service stations). Simply add it to the gas tank when you fill up. And remember to secure the cap.
BONUS TIP – If you’re going on a road trip, ask about fuel rebate hotel packages from small inns (and even some large hotel chains). At bedandbreakfast.com, click on “Special Packages” under the Search tab and choose “Tanks for Traveling” from the drop-down menu.
Sources: Lou Carloza, columnist, dealnews.com; and Roger Clark, senior manager, GM Energy Center
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