Fuel Savings Tips

Gas prices throughout much of the country have risen dramatically in recent times but AAA Hoosier Motor Club has several tips that can help Indiana motorists save money on fuel.

• Change your motor oil as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Maintain recommended tire pressure. Low pressure reduces fuel economy and can damage tires.
• Check and replace air filters. Clogged filters reduce fuel economy and increase exhaust emissions.
• Don't use premium fuel if your car doesn't require it.
• Make certain your gas cap fits properly.
• Follow the recommended engine maintenance schedule in your owner's manual to ensure optimal engine performance and to conserve fuel.
• Don't use your trunk for storage. A vehicle weighed down with heavy items can increase fuel consumption by 1 or 2 percent.
• Travel light. A loaded roof rack can decrease fuel economy by 5 percent.
• Avoid the practice of warming up your engine for prolonged periods of time before driving. Doing so unnecessarily wastes fuel.
• Accelerate gradually. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
• Anticipate your stops. When approaching a red light, let your foot off the gas as early as possible.
• Slow down. As you drive faster, aerodynamic drag increases. By driving 60 mph instead of 70 mph during your 20-mile highway commute, you'll save approximately 1.3 gallons of gas in a five-day work week.
• Take advantage of cruise control features to help you maintain a constant speed when traveling on highways.
• Use your overdrive gears during highway driving. This decreases your car's engine speed, reducing fuel consumption and engine wear.
• Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag and can reduce gas mileage by 10 percent.
• Don't start and stop your engine unless you need to. Idling for one minute consumes gas equivalent to the amount used to start an engine.
• Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when a car is idling in a stopped position at a railroad crossing or at a long stop light. In these situations, a vehicle's gear should be in neutral.
• Avoid "revving" the engine, especially just before turning it off. Doing so wastes fuel and wears out cylinders.
• Run errands with a plan. Try to make one trip instead of three.
• Take advantage of carpools or ride-share programs.
• Shop around for the best price. Gas prices can vary tremendously. Use the AAA mobile app to find the cheapest gas prices in your area.