Efficient Energy Driving Tips

1. Combine trips for shopping and errands.
2. Avoid unnecessary trips. Use the telephone or e-mail to communicate.
3. For short trips, walk or ride a bike.
4. Join a carpool or use public transit to and from work or school.
5. Don’t idle the car for more than one minute
6. Drive the speed limit, or below, for better mileage.
7. Overdrive gears improve the fuel economy of your car during highway driving.
8. Avoid sudden bursts of speed, tailgating and pumping the accelerator pedal. Gradual starts and stops result in less fuel use and less wear and tear.
9. Out on the open highway, keep windows rolled up to reduce drag.
10. Using a vehicle’s air conditioner on a hot summer day can decrease mileage. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on your car instead of the air conditioner.
11. Travel during off-peak hours when possible.
12. Take the shortest route with the best roads.
13. Use the cruise control — it can save fuel by maintaining a steady speed.
14. Keep tires at the recommended air pressure.
15. Keep your car engine properly tuned.
16. Remove bicycle and ski racks when not in use.
17. Excess weight uses more fuel. Remove unnecessary items from inside the vehicle, trunk or truck bed.
18. Use the lowest octane gasoline recommended by the manufacturer.
19. When buying a new car, make fuel efficiency a priority.
20. Don’t buy a bigger engine than you need.