Students can save up to 30%
on fuel costs through proper driving, straightforward car maintenance and lower emissions. To keep green (and keep greenbacks), consider these simple maintenance tips.
Take a deep breath and dont drive aggressively: Accelerating fast and braking hard increases fuel consumption by 40%. It only cuts travel time by 4% and increases toxic emissions over five times. Proper driving includes accelerating slowly and smoothly, and then shifting into high gear as quickly as possible.
Steady does it: Drive steadily, especially on the highway. Driving efficiency peaks at 55mph, then drops significantly after 60mph. Using cruise control can save gas by keeping the speed steady, so use it when possible.
No idling: Dont idle your vehicle. Idling wastes unnecessary gas, so if you are going to stop your car for more than 30 seconds, you should turn it off. Idling for more than 30 seconds is only acceptable for older cars and during winter conditions in order to warm up.
Inflation is good: Ensure that tires are properly inflated. Properly maintained car tires are a typically overlooked aspect of efficient driving. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 6%. Tire pressure should be checked when the car has not been driven for 33 hours, and at least once a month. On average, for every month, tires lose one PSI per every 10°C drop in temperature.
Who said heat was bad? Avoid using your air conditioner when possible. Using air conditioning can consume up to 10% more fuel, so either open the window at low speeds or use the flow-through ventilation. However, opening the windows at high speeds is less efficient for gas mileage, so use the air conditioner in those situations.
RTFM(Read that fantastic manual): Service your vehicle regularly. Use the appropriate fuel for your car, as determined by the owners manual. A poorly tuned engine can use up to 50% more fuel and emit 50% more emissions than in normal conditions.
Seek the shade: Park in the shade. It keeps your car cool, reduces the need for air conditioning and minimizes the loss of gas due to evaporation.
