| t report in the Financial Times predicted that the | | | | store does not require car keys; walking a couple |
| average price for a gallon of gasoline in the United | | | | blocks will not only save your gas money it will |
| States may soon reach $3.00 . . . that's the bad | | | | help keep you in good health. More than just a |
| news! The good news is, skyrocketing gasoline | | | | couple blocks? Dust off your bicycle (or buy one) |
| prices have caused many Americans to start | | | | for those trips that are not more than two or |
| looking for ways to either cut back on the miles | | | | three miles. Also consider public transportation and |
| they drive or find ways to make their cars more | | | | car pooling to and from work as gas-saving |
| fuel efficient. That's good news because these | | | | alternatives to your ignition key. If telecommuting |
| fuel-saving attempts and attitudes will help reduce | | | | is an option for your job, take it! |
| the fuel emissions that regularly foul our | | | | 2. If you do need to drive, plan your route! |
| atmosphere. The question remains, just what do | | | | Sometimes the shortest route has the most |
| we need to do to spend less on gas and reap the | | | | traffic congestion so you are wise to take the |
| reward of cleaner air; a few tips follow: | | | | longer, less-traveled route to save gas by not |
| Get your car in shape | | | | being stuck in slow traffic. If possible, arrange |
| A well maintained car will burn less gas than one | | | | your work schedule to allow you to drive to and |
| that has been neglected: | | | | from work in less congested traffic. |
| 1. Keep your tires properly inflated; check your | | | | 3. Slow and steady wins the race. When pulling |
| car's user's manual or look for the sticker that | | | | away from a stop light or stop sign, go easy on |
| gives you the recommended tire inflation | | | | the gas pedal and gradually increase speed -- |
| pressure. If your tires need replacement, look for | | | | jackrabbit starts are really bad for fuel efficiency . |
| tires that are rated as LRR (Low Rolling | | | | . . sudden stops don't help either, if you find |
| Resistance). Proper tire inflation along with the | | | | yourself jamming on the breaks, you are driving |
| LRR tires will be your biggest fuel savers. | | | | too aggressively -- slow down and 'mellow out'!. |
| 2. Change your motor oil at the manufacturer's | | | | When you're finally on the highway, keep your |
| recommended intervals and be sure to use the | | | | speed at the posted speed limit and, if you have |
| recommended 'weight' (viscosity) motor oil. While | | | | a cruise control use it. |
| changing your oil, change the oil filter and check | | | | Some other fuel saving tips |
| the engine air filter -- the air filter may not need | | | | 1. Don't spoil your car's aerodynamics by placing |
| to be changed every time you change your oil | | | | luggage or other things on top of your car. |
| but it should be checked every time. | | | | 2. Keep your car windows closed; in the summer |
| 3. When you buy gas, pay attention to the octane | | | | air conditioning won't effect your gas mileage as |
| rating marked on the gas pump -- it should fall | | | | much as open windows. |
| within the octane range recommended by your | | | | 3. Travel as light as you can -- more weight in |
| car's manufacturer. | | | | your car equals poorer gas mileage. |
| 4. Buy your car a 'tune up' at the manufacturer's | | | | 4. If you rent a car you'll be buying your own gas |
| recommended interval -- on modern cars a tune | | | | so rent the most fuel-efficient car available. |
| up is mainly replacing the spark plugs, checking the | | | | 5. If you are ready to trade your car in for a |
| engine timing and checking the spark plug wires. | | | | new one, give serious consideration to a hybrid |
| Drive smart | | | | vehicle or at least a vehicle with the best gas |
| How, where and when you drive are equally | | | | mileage rating you can find. |
| important factors in your attempt to save gas | | | | Rising gas prices will probably be with us for quite |
| money and keep the air clean: | | | | a long time so take some of these tips to heart |
| 1. Do you really need to drive? Every trip to the | | | | to save money and save our environment. |