Drive down your gas costs this Memorial Day weekend

By Miriam Berg on May 24, 2012 Leave a comment

Did you know that your GPS device and certain smartphone apps can give you real-time gas mileage tips, and point you to the cheapest nearby gas station? How about the fact that every extra pound of luggage decreases your fuel economy, as does driving faster than 60 miles per hour? Learn these gas-saving secrets and more from this video, as well as six other videos on fuel efficiency from the Alliance to Save Energy.

Here are a few more tips:

Avoid aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration and rapid braking can lower gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.
Avoid excessive idling. Idling can waste a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use. But it only takes a few seconds’ worth of fuel to restart your engine, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
Beat the traffic. When possible, drive during off-peak hours to avoid stop-and-go or bumper-to-bumper traffic conditions, thereby reducing gas costs, time and stress.
Keep tires inflated. Properly inflated tires can improve mileage by up to 3.3%. Conversely, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3% for every 1 psi drop in pressure in all four tires. In addition, proper inflation improves tire longevity and driving safety. Find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb, in the glove box, and/or in your owner’s manual.

This chart shows how much you can save from each fuel efficiency tip. These suggestions can also improve your driving, increase the life of your tires, and help you beat traffic.

FUEL EFFICIENCY TIPS	MPG INCREASE	ANNUAL SAVINGS
Smart Driving
Avoid aggressive driving	up to 33%	$981
Drive safe (highway)	up to 10%	$218
Lose 100 pounds from trunk	up to 2%	$40
Car Maintenance
Tune up vehicle	up to 4%	$82
Fix oxygen sensor	up to 40%	$1,308
Keep tires inflated	up to 3%	$61
Use recommended oil	up to 2%	$40
Fuel Efficient Car	Switching from 20 MPG to 30 MPG vehicle	$930 in fuel costs*
The MPG increases and dollar savings are estimated for each tip based on data from 2011 Transportation Energy Data Book and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) assuming vehicle fuel economy as 21.2MPG, average national gas price as $3.69/gallon, and annual 11,300 miles of travel. Actual results depend on how well you already follow these practices, whether you use more than one tip at a time, and other factors. Sources: Alliance to Save Energy* research and Department of Energy

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