AAA's Gasoline Conservation Tips
29 April 1999
AAA's Gasoline Conservation Tips; Tried-and-True Techniques to Save Fuel and Money, Reduce Pollution
SAN FRANCISCO--April 29, 1999--Conserving fuel will always save you money, especially during times of high gasoline prices, notes AAA of Northern California.Consumers who follow fuel conservation tips will increase gas mileage, prevent premature wear on vehicles, and reduce air pollution.
AAA of Northern California recommends these tried-and-true techniques for improving fuel economy: -- Plan your driving, combining errands into a single trip so you
can reduce driving. -- Avoid "jackrabbit" starts (sudden acceleration). Anticipate your
stops by letting up on the gas pedal before you need to brake. -- Do not speed. Besides being illegal and unsafe, speeding reduces
gas mileage. -- Avoid extended idling to warm the engine or when parked. -- Use the air conditioner sparingly, especially when driving in
slow-moving traffic. At freeway speeds, using the air conditioner
might give better fuel-economy than driving with windows open,
which creates drag. -- When traveling through congested areas, plan your meal stops
during commute periods to avoid traffic. -- Be sure not to over-pack your vehicle. Over-loading reduces gas
mileage. If possible, avoid tying items to the roof-rack, as it
creates drag and reduces gas mileage. -- Buy the grade of fuel recommended by your owner's manual. Most
cars are designed to use regular unleaded fuel (87 octane), which
is 10-20 cents per gallon cheaper than premium fuels. Only
vehicles with high performance engines such as exotic sports cars
and some luxury vehicles need premium unleaded gasoline. Check
your owner's manual. -- Price-shop the pumps in your neighborhood before you need to fill
up. Gasoline prices vary as much as 10 to 15 cents a gallon in
the same area for the identical grade of fuel. -- Keep your vehicle in top-running condition. An out-of-tune
vehicle has to work harder, using more fuel and prematurely
wearing the engine and other components. -- Check your tires once a week for accurate pressure. Follow the
tire pressure rating in your owner's manual and check pressure
when tires are cold. Under-inflated tires will reduce mileage. -- Change your engine oil regularly as recommended by the
manufacturer, and make sure the oil level is within the "safe"
range. Also check the transmission fluid in an automatic
transmission. Too little oil will make the engine work harder,
leading to premature wear and reduced gas mileage. -- Have the air filter checked each time you change the oil. A dirty
air filter will increase fuel consumption.
Always refer to your owner's manual for specific guidelines and recommendations.
Established nearly 100 years ago, the AAA affiliate of Northern California, Nevada and Utah offers an array of travel, automotive, insurance and financial services to its nearly 4 million members. It is the second largest regional affiliate of the national AAA.
