Stretching Your Gas Dollars
Does the tally
at the pump bring you up short?
A few easy steps can make each
gallon of gasoline take you farther.
- Use a light foot. Accelerate and
brake gently to increase mileage (and lower your
stress level).
- De-junk the trunk. An extra 100 pounds
can degrade fuel economy by two percent. And ditch
the roof rack: Even an empty one catches wind and
cuts mileage.
- Shun gadgets. The EPA and Consumer
Reports have tested dozens of supposed gas-saving
engine accessories and found that most deliver
nothing but hot air.
- Turn it off. Stop your engine when
you expect to idle for more than 30 seconds - it
is safe to do so.
- Stay tuned. Follow your manufacturer's
advice for regular tune-ups, air filter replacements,
and oil changes.
Even so, you're not going
to make a vehicle designed to get 20 miles per gallon
achieve 30. A bigger step toward saving fuel — and
the planet — would be to go green by replacing
your car, when the time comes, with a gas-electric
hybrid. The EPA says a Toyota Prius, for example, can
save $500 a year in fuel costs over the most efficient
all-gas car in its class. You can compare auto fuel
efficiencies and find the latest news on green vehicles
at www.fueleconomy.gov. -ERIC SMILLI
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