By LINDA CAWLEY
IDWR Information Specialist
With regular unleaded gasoline nearly up to $3 a gallon, many are feeling the pinch. With summer just around the corner, it's time to take some drastic measures to reduce consumption.
Aggressive driving—speeding, rapid acceleration and braking—wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
If you're traveling roads that allow slower speeds, take advantage of the situation. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. A 10-mile-per-hour decrease in your speed can give you a 15-20 percent increase in fuel economy, according to the AAA.
Also, allowing your car to idle gets zero miles per gallon. The larger your vehicle the more fuel you waste. Except for traffic lights, turn off your engine when waiting for more than a minute.
Depending on the weather, you may not need to run your air conditioner, especially if you're driving at lower speeds.
Watch the extra weight your car carries, especially if you drive a smaller car. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces your MPG by up to 2 percent, depending on the car size. While it doesn't hurt to carry golf clubs you could eliminate luggage or ski racks.
One of the biggest culprits for wasting fuel is jackrabbit starts--those frequent accelerations and stops—that burn up to 37 percent more fuel than simple coasting. So take your foot off the accelerator rather than over using the brakes and take advantage of cruise control when driving on highways.
Of course, keep your engine properly tuned and check and replace your air filters regularly. A well-tuned engine improves gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, while replacing a clogged air filter improves mileage by as much as 10 percent, according to DOE.
Gas mileage improves about 3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. Properly inflated tires are also safer and last longer.
Last but not least, plan trips ahead of time. Make a list of the places you need to go and work out a route before you leave the house. You'll save time as well as gas.
Linda Cawley
