
BE
A SMOOTH OPERATOR
Start the car and immediately, but gently, drive away. Don't
leave your car idling. Today's cars don't need to warm up.
Start slowly, avoiding rapid acceleration. Jack-rabbit starts
are terrible fuel wasters.
Aim to maintain a constant speed. Every time you pump the
accelerator, you are pumping more fuel into the engine.
Drive at posted speed limits - that's a tip that may save
a life as well as fuel.
EASY ON THE A/C
Minimize the use of the air conditioning
system. Rather than run it continuously, use the vent setting
as much as possible.
When you get to your destination, park in
the shade to reduce the need for using the air conditioner.
STREAMLINE

Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof
rack. The added weight on the frontal area drags on the
car and will hurt fuel economy.
Don't drive with your windows wide open. That increases
aerodynamic drag at highway speeds and lowers fuel economy.
TIRES
& WHEELS

Have a professional align your front wheels. Wheels that
are pointing in the same direction fight with each other,
wasting fuel (and tires).
Check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling
resistance and reduce fuel economy. Also, underinflated
tires wear rapidly. Check the vehicle's door-post sticker
for minimum cold tire inflation pressure.
FUEL
& OIL

Use good quality, energy-conserving (EC) oils in the engine,
with viscosity grade recommended in your Owner's Guide.
Look for cans marked with the symbol "ECII," which
is the American Society of Testing Material logo for fuel-efficient
oils.
Make sure your engine is tuned up to keep your car running
efficiently.
Use a fuel with good detergent additives to help keep the
engine clean and performing efficiently.
Filling up with the most expensive grade of gas does not
necessarily make your engine run better. Use a high-quality
fuel with an octane rating appropriate for your vehicle.
Use the lowest octane possible. Check your Owner's Guide
for the manufacturer's recommendation.
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