Energy Efficiency: On the Road

SLOW DOWN, even a little. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
MAINTAIN your car well. Regular TUNE-UPS, changing the oil frequently, and keeping car emissions controls in good shape all reduce air pollution significantly. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
DON'T TOP OFF the tank. Topping off can spill gas on the ground and it release harmful gas vapors into the air.
Maintain proper TIRE PRESSURE. Under-inflated tires reduce your car's gas mileage.
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%.
REDUCE IDLING. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
Take advantage of CARPOOLS AND RIDE-SHARE PROGRAMS. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters.
Choose a more efficient vehicle. FUEL-EFFICIENT MODELS come in all shapes and sizes, so you don't have to sacrifice utility or size. There are many options available such as Hybrids, Flex-Fuel, Alternative Fuel, Electric and Fuel Cell vehicles.

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