Top 10 Ways Motorists Can Save On Fuel Costs
10 April 2000
Top 10 Ways Motorists Can Save On Fuel Costs; Edmunds.com Offers Consumers Ways To Save Fuel And Money By Following Easy Driving And Car Maintenance Guidelines
LOS ANGELES--April 10, 2000--Edmunds.com (http://www.edmunds.com), the Web's leading consumer resource for unbiased automotive information is offering their top ten tips to help motorists save both fuel and money as the peak driving season -- from Memorial Day through Labor Day -- approaches. In addition, with recent increases in gasoline prices, most consumers can save themselves money and extra trips to the pump by following some basic driving and car maintenance guidelines."When it comes to saving money on car ownership, knowledge is power," says Edmunds.com Detroit Editor John Clor. "We all have the power to save if we keep in mind a few simple tips."
Edmunds.com editors offered the following "Top 10" list of fuel saving ideas:
1.) Plan your driving time: Encourage your employer to stagger
start times to avoid rush-hour traffic, and then volunteer for
off-peak work hours to reduce your commute time. Choose the
least-congested route for commuting, even if it is less
direct. Combine errands into a single trip when possible.
2.) Easy does it: A "leadfoot" driving style wastes fuel and is
hard on your car's engine, tires and brakes. Watch traffic
ahead and maintain a steady speed, trying to anticipate your
stops, letting off the gas and coasting before you need to
apply the brake. Avoid "jackrabbit starts" or rapidly
accelerating to blend into traffic. Conversely, avoid sudden
stops by leaving plenty of room between you and the car ahead
of you.
3.) Check your tires: Under-inflated tires can greatly reduce your
mileage, decrease the safety and performance of your tires and
increase wear. Follow the tire-pressure rating in your owner's
manual and check pressures once a week when tires are cold.
Make sure your spare is properly inflated, too.
4.) Check your air filter: Your car's engine uses far more air
than fuel, and a dirty air filter increases fuel consumption.
So check your filter monthly (you can blow out dust with
compressed air), or have the air filter checked each time you
change the oil. Refer to your owner's manual for replacement
guidelines.
5.) Don't speed: Not only is it illegal and unsafe, but speeding
sharply reduces your gas mileage. Try driving 5 mph below the
posted speed limit. Use of cruise control on long-distance
drives, if available.
6.) Avoid extended idling: Don't let your car idle for more than a
few minutes to warm the engine or while parked. If you're
going to be waiting at curbside more than a minute or two,
shut the engine off.
7.) Buy the right fuel: Most cars are designed to use regular
unleaded gas (87 octane), which is 10-20 cents per gallon
cheaper than premium fuels. Only cars with high-performance
engines such as sports cars and some luxury vehicles need
premium unleaded gasoline. If you're paying for a higher grade
of fuel than is recommended by your owner's manual, you're
wasting money. And don't forget to shop pump prices in your
neighborhood before you need to fill up. Local prices can vary
up to 10 to 15 cents a gallon per grade.
8.) Change your engine oil: Having too little or worn out oil in
your crankcase makes your engine work harder, leading to
premature wear and reduced gas mileage. So check to make sure
the oil level is within the "safe" range each time you get
gas, and change the oil and filter regularly as recommended by
the manufacturer. It's a good idea to check the transmission
fluid in an automatic transmission as well.
9.). Lighten your load: Be sure not to leave unneeded items in the
trunk (or pickup bed) for extended periods, as increased
weight means decreased gas mileage. And remember that if you
secure items to a roof rack, it will create drag and lead to
higher fuel consumption.
10.) Maintain your vehicle: An out-of-tune vehicle has to work
harder, using more fuel and prematurely wearing the engine and
other components. So keep your car in top running condition,
making sure to follow specific guidelines, especially for
things like spark plugs and lubrication, outlined in your
owner's manual.
About Edmunds.com
Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Edmunds.com is the Internet's pioneer and recognized leader in providing free, unbiased automotive information. Edmunds.com empowers, educates and engages visitors by providing them with straightforward, truthful information on key aspects of buying, selling and owning a vehicle. Users are provided automobile pricing data, extensive automobile reviews, consumer information, safety updates, incentive and rebate news, expert analysis of developments in the automotive world, as well as the Town Hall, an interactive community of more than 500,000 active members. Edmunds.com was ranked No. 1 in The Wall Street Journal's Survey of Car-Shopping Web Sites, was named as one of Yahoo! Internet Life's 50 Most Incredibly Useful Sites and Money's 50 Most Useful Financial Websites.
