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Tips For Conserving Gas

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May 23, 2008 1:48 pm US/Eastern

Tips For Conserving Gas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Before you hit the road, check out these tips help conserve gas.

Drive Sensibly
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. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money. Fuel Economy Benefit: 5-33%

Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.19-$1.23/gallon

Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.

Observing the speed limit is also safer. Fuel Economy Benefit: 7-23%

Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.26-$0.86/gallon

Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones. Fuel Economy Benefit: 1-2%/100 lbs

Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.04-$0.07/gallon

Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.

Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

Use Overdrive Gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.72/gallon.

Additional Tips:

1. Observe the speed limit -- slow down driving above the speed limit can cost you more than just that ticket

2. Remove excess weight -- we get people who bring their cars in all the time and they have the trunk loaded with items that they are just carrying around, unpack your car and stow your items in the garage

3. Avoid excessive idling -- don't leave cars running if unnecessary

4. Use cruise control -- on the gas off the gas is expensive

5. Use overdrive gears

6. Keep your engine properly tuned -- maintain your vehicle

7. Check and replace air filters

8. Keep tires properly inflated -- this is a big deal and can cost you dearly

9. Use recommended grade of motor oil -- stop trying to cut corners

Opinion -- yes premium fuel is more expensive but remember it burns more efficiently.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.