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How To Be Penny Wise,
Not Pump Fuelish
The high price of
gasoline doesn't have to bust your budget. The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) offer
these tips to help fuel savings at the pump:
When Gassing
Up:
- Choose the right octane gas for your
car. Check the owner's manual to find out what
octane your
engine needs. Octane ratings measure gasoline's ability to resist
engine
knock. The higher the octane, the higher the price:
Premium (highest octane) gas sells for
an average of 17 cents
more per gallon than regular gas. Only about 6 percent of cars
sold
in the U.S. need premium gas, the AAA says. Still, premium
gas accounts for 20 percent
of all gas sold. Resist the urge to
buy higher octane gas for "premium" performance.
- Avoid topping off your gas tank. In
warm weather, fuel expansion can cause an overflow.
Before Heading
Out:
- Keep your tires inflated to the proper
level. Properly inflated tires provide less road-resistance and
can improve fuel efficiency. Check your owner's manual for
appropriate inflation levels. This information also is usually
available on the jamb of the
driver's-side door.
- Keep up with engine maintenance. Make
sure that you change the spark plugs and filters
according to
the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Avoid packing items on top of the car.
A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can
decrease fuel economy by 5 percent. It's better to place items
inside the car or trunk.
- Lighten your load. An extra 100 pounds
in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1 to 2
percent.
While On the
Road:
- Stay within posted speed limits.
Driving at high speeds, especially for long distances,
uses
more gasoline.
- Use cruise control; it helps maintain
a constant speed and, in most cases, helps reduce
fuel
use.
- Avoid "jack-rabbit" starts and
stops.
- Use overdrive gears when on the
highway. Overdrive decreases the car's engine speed,
reducing
fuel consumption and engine wear.
- Use air vents to circulate the air
instead of air conditioning.
The FTC works for the
consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business
practices in the marketplace and to provide information to
help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a
complaint or to get free information on
consumer issues, visit https://www.ftc.gov/ or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357);
TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing,
identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer
Sentinel, a
secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and
criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and
abroad.
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July
2001 |
