These Fuelish Things

By Bob Weber - Published August 6, 2006 Chicago Tribune

With gasoline well past the $3 per gallon mark, here's a refresher on how to improve fuel economy:

- Accelerate gently.
- Brake gently.
- Be patient. Instead of spurting ahead, try maintaining a cushion of space and keep moving slowly.
- Avoid excessive idling. It takes less fuel to restart your engine than to let it idle 45 seconds.
- Avoid prolonged warm-ups. Drive gently until your engine reaches operating temperature.
- Slow down. Driving 65 m.p.h. uses 10 to 15 percent more fuel than 55 m.p.h. The typical commuter travels 20 miles to work so it takes only three minutes longer to drive 55 rather than 65.
- Use the cruise. On the highway, cruise control saves fuel.
- Open your windows around town.
- Use the air conditioning at highway speed.
- Adjust your attitude. Avoid driving when you are angry or upset.
- Combine trips.
- Time shift. Ask your employer if you can come in earlier or later to avoid rush hour.
- Lose weight. Remove unnecessary stuff from the trunk.
- Remove things that create drag. Car top carriers and ski racks should go when they are not needed.
- Keep it clean. A dirty vehicle is less slippery than a clean one.
- Use the right gear. If you have an automatic, select overdrive. If you have a manual, shift to the next gear as soon as the upshift light glows
- Downshift when descending long hills.
- Tune up.
- Keep the tires properly inflated.
- Get an alignment.
- Change the filters. A restricted air filter not only robs power but also gas.
- Check the exhaust.
- Use the right octane.
- Select two-wheel-drive.