Gas Saving Takes on New Urgency

• Monitor your tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

• Consolidate your daily trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.

• Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family.

• Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.

• Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control. (You’ll help your brakes and suspension system last longer, too.)

• Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage.

• Use windows and air conditioning wisely. If possible, avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.

• Keep your engine operating at its peak efficiency. A well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model. A misfiring spark plug can greatly reduce gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner’s manual.

• Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today’s high-tech engines, it’s wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.