| Here are some simple ways to save money by | | | | every 5 mph you drive over 65 mph. |
| improving your fuel economy-no matter what you | | | | Aggressive behavior-such as screeching to a halt or |
| drive. | | | | accelerating quickly from a dead stop-can decrease |
| 1.Regular check-ups pay off at the pump. The | | | | fuel-economy by 33 percent. Save gas by driving at |
| professionals at RK Buick report that skipping | | | | an even speed. |
| recommended maintenance leads to fouled spark | | | | 5.Kick it into high gear. For the greatest fuel |
| plugs and clogged air and fuel filters. | | | | efficiency drive in the highest gear possible when |
| Clean oil, fresh spark plugs a well-tuned motor, and | | | | cruising at a steady speed on the highway. (This also |
| properly inflated tires coupled with the right octane | | | | reduces engine wear.) |
| gas for your car keep it healthy and saves you | | | | 6.Avoid cruise control on hills and lower your gas bills. |
| money. | | | | RK Buick says to think about the approaching terrain |
| 2.Keeping your cool - windows up or down? Open | | | | before you push cruise control. |
| windows or air conditioning in hot weather? It | | | | Cruise control improves gas mileage by maintaining a |
| depends, says the service team at RK Buick. | | | | steady speed-but only on flat roads. Using cruise |
| Running an air conditioner consumes extra fuel, but | | | | control on hilly terrain typically uses more gas then if |
| driving with rolled down windows leads to drag on | | | | you were operating the accelerator yourself. |
| the vehicle. Ideally leave windows open when driving | | | | 7.Keep your engine properly tuned.If your engine is |
| slowly in traffic. For highway driving, roll up the | | | | experiencing hard starts, rough idling, or stalling, it |
| windows and turn on the air conditioning. | | | | could have a negative impact on fuel efficiency. Nine |
| 3.Get the junk out of your trunk. Hauling excess | | | | times out of ten, the problem stems from something |
| weight wastes gas. Every extra 100 lbs reduces fuel | | | | basic like worn spark plugs, a dirty air filter, or bad |
| economy approximately two percent; a loaded roof | | | | ignition wires. |
| rack by five percent. Eliminate excess cargo by | | | | Taking care of the trouble early is not only likely to |
| emptying out trunks, back seats, and roof carriers. | | | | improve your gasoline mileage - it will also prevent |
| 4.A steady pace wins the fuel-economy race. | | | | minor problems from becoming expensive repairs |
| Speeding cuts into gas mileage. RK Auto Group says | | | | later on. |
| you'll see a 7 percent decrease in fuel-economy for | | | | |