Drive Smart - Tips for Consumers
The trucking industry is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment. For consumers looking to play their part, we offer the following tips from AAA and the U.S. Government’s fueleconomy.gov Web site.
- Take the direct route. Cut out the Sunday and scenic drives.
- Inflate your tires properly – check the owner’s manual, drivers’ door jamb or the wall of the tire for correct PSI.
- Replace dirty air filters.
- Inspect and replace misfiring spark plugs, which ensure your engine achieves maximum combustion.
- Use fresh and proper engine oil. The recommended motor oil for your vehicle will save you 3 to 5 cents a gallon.
- Use the AC sparingly – it reduces fuel economy between 5 and 14%.
AAA offers a Fuel Price Finder for consumers looking for comparisons of gas prices in their area. Access this AAA resource.
Advice from the U.S. Government’s fueleconomy.gov Web site
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 5-33%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.18-$1.16/gallon
Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 7-23%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.25-$0.81/gallon
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 1-2%/100 lbs
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.04-$0.07/gallon
Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Use Overdrive Gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.51/gallon.
For additional tips and information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Savers Web site.