The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are some effective methods of doing so.

ENGINE WARM-UP

1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings – 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

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

3. Avoid “revving” the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.

4. Eliminate jack–rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from a dead stop. Don’t push the pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows the carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

HOW TO BUY GASOLINE

5. Buy gasoline during the 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”.

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

7. Avoid filling the gas tank to the top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of the tank. Never fill gas tank past the first “click” of fuel nozzle, if a nozzle is automatic.

HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY

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

9. Never exceed the legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

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

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

12. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also, avoid tailgating – the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

13. Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you’re on it.

GENERAL
ADVICE

14. Do not rest left foot on floorboard pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts “mechanical drag” on components, wearing them down prematurely. This “dragging” also demands additional fuel usage.

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

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

17. 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.

18. 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 the neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows the transmission to cool.

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

20. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters… diminished air flow increases gas waste.

21. 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.

22. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

23. Inflate all tires to the maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer’s specifications for maximum tire pressures.

27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

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

Beans Means GREEN!

More Money-Saving Fuel Tips…

• Make sure your air filter is in good condition
  • Estimated savings = $0.37 per gallon

 

• Don’t drive at excessive speeds
  • Estimated savings = $0.26 – $0.86 per gallon

 

• Use the recommended motor oil for your engine
  • Estimated savings = $0.04 – $0.07 per gallon

 

• Get your car’s spark plugs checked
  • Estimated savings for total engine tune-up = $0.15 per gallon

 

• Inflate your tires properly (use maximum recommended pressure)
  • Estimated savings = $0.11 per gallon

 

• TOTAL ESTIMATED SAVINGS = $0.93 – $1.56 per gallon