Below are a few tips to help drivers conserve fuel and save money at
the pump, while at the same time helping the environment and improving traffic
safety.
- Slow down and watch speed – Drive 55 miles per hour instead
of 65 to save fuel. EPA estimates a 10-15 percent improvement in fuel economy by
following this tip. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the accelerator
sends more fuel into the engine. Using cruise control whenever possible on the
highway helps maintain speeds and conserve fuel.
- Accelerate and brake smoothly – Accelerating smoothly from
a stop and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of
traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the car components,
such as brakes and tires, more quickly. Maintain a safe distance between
vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for more time to brake and
accelerate gradually.
- No idling – Today's engines don't need a warm up. Start the
car immediately and gently drive away. Don't leave your car idling. Prolonged
idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off in non-traffic
situations, such as at bank and fast food drive-up windows, when idling more
than 30 seconds.
- Check your tires – Keep tires properly inflated to the
recommended tire pressure. This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use
by 3-4 percent. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel
economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle's door-post sticker for
minimum cold tire inflation pressure.
- Be kind to your vehicle – Maintain proper engine tune-up to
keep vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are
fighting each other waste fuel. Replace air filters as recommended. Use a fuel
with good detergent additives to keep the vehicle engine clean and performing
efficiently. Always consult the Owner's Manual for proper maintenance.
- Travel light – Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof
rack. The added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy,
reducing it by as much as 5 percent. Remove excess weight from the vehicle.
Unnecessary weight, such as unneeded items in the trunk, makes the engine work
harder and consumes more fuel.
- Minimize use of heater and air conditioning – Use heating
and air conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine. Decreasing
your usage of the air conditioner when temperatures are above 80 degrees can
help you save 10-15 percent of fuel. Use the vent setting as much as possible.
Park in the shade to keep car cool and reduce the need for air
conditioning.
- Close windows at high speeds – Don't drive with the windows
open unless your keep your speed under 50 mph. Driving with the windows open at
highway speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel
economy.
- Choose the right oil – Use good quality oils with the
viscosity grade recommended in the owner guide. Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 oil
for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy. Only oils "certified
for gasoline engines" by the American Petroleum Institute (API) with the
starburst symbol should be used.
- Consolidate trips – Plan ahead to consolidate your trips.
This will enable you to bypass congested routes, lead to less idling
For additional information on how to save on gas, visit the Driving Skills for
Life website and click on the "Eco-driving" module.
