By properly maintaining your car and keeping a few driving techniques in mind, you can significantly reduce the amount of gasoline you use and save money.
Here are a few individual initiatives to consider:
| Condition | Effect | Service | Potential Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substandard motor oil |
Added engine friction | Routine oil changes | up to .4 mpg |
| Dirty air filter | Improper fuel-air mixture | Air filter replacement | up to 2 mpg |
| Under-inflated or unevenly worn tires | Added tire resistance, vehicle vibration | Proper inflation and routine tire rotations | up to 2 mpg |
| Loose gas cap | Fuel evaporation | Check gas cap | up to 2 mpg |
Source: National Car Care Council
| Eliminate ‘sporadic’ driving | up to $1.02/gal. | ||
| Drive within the speed limit | up to $0.71/gal. | ||
| Eliminate excess weight | up to $.06/gal. ea. 100 lbs. | ||
| Avoid idling | n/a | ||
| Use cruise control for highways | n/a | ||
| Minimize the use of air-conditioning | n/a | ||
| Use alternative modes of transportation | n/a |
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
For more information, visit www.fueleconomy.gov