9 Ways to Get the Most Out of Each Gallon of Fuel
Less strain on your engine improves mileage
Gasoline and diesel prices are expected to remain relatively low throughout 2016. But most of us remember what it’s like to pay nearly $4 a gallon, and those days are likely to return. So to get you in the habit of being frugal with your fuel, here are 9 fuel-saving tips.
- Keep car maintained – Getting a tune-up, changing the oil and air filters regularly, and keeping the tires properly inflated and aligned puts less strain on your engine.
- Use cruise control – Maintaining a constant speed over long distances saves gas.
- Obey speed limit – As speed goes up, aerodynamic drag on the car increases.
- Limit roof racks – These racks increase a vehicle's aerodynamic drag. You´ll improve your mileage if you remove them when not in use.
- Keep windows closed – Open windows, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and decrease fuel economy by up to 10 percent.
- Curb heavy loads – Using your trunk or back of the SUV as a storage area will cost you money.
- Idle the idling – Newer cars don´t need to be warmed up in the morning. Also, if you anticipate being stopped for more than one minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
- Avoid the jackrabbits – Avoid “jackrabbit” stops and starts by anticipating traffic, and applying steady acceleration and braking.
- Limit A/C use – When the air conditioning is on, it puts an extra strain on the engine, using more fuel. The defroster on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
Want More Help? Call our Salem office toll-free at 1-800-221-8035 and ask for our transportation specialist, or send an email to: askenergy@oregon.gov.