Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient
Driving Tips to help you achieve the most
fuel economy from your vehicle.
1. Use smooth accelerator and brake pedal
application.
.Avoid rapid starts and stops..Use smooth, gentle accelerator and
brake application whenever possible.
.Maintain constant speed while com-
muting and coast whenever possible.
2. Maintain constant speed.
.Look ahead to try and anticipate and
minimize stops.
.Synchronizing your speed with traffic
lights allows you to reduce your
number of stops.
.Maintaining a steady speed can mini-
mize red light stops and improve fuel
efficiency.
3. Use air conditioning (A/C) at higher
vehicle speeds.
.Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to open windows to cool the
vehicle due to reduced engine load.
.Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to use A/C to cool the
vehicle due to increased aerodynamic
drag.
.Recirculating the cool air in the cabin
when the A/C is on reduces cooling
load.4. Drive at economical speeds and dis-
tances.
.Observing the speed limit and not
exceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h) (where
legally allowed) can improve fuel
efficiency due to reduced aerody-
namic drag.
.Maintaining a safe following distance
behind other vehicles reduces unne-
cessary braking.
.Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate
changes in speed permits reduced
braking and smooth acceleration
changes.
.Select a gear range suitable to road
conditions.
5. Use cruise control.
.Using cruise control during highway
driving helps maintain a steady speed.
.Cruise control is particularly effective
in providing fuel savings when driving
on flat terrains.
6. Plan for the shortest route.
.Utilize a map or navigation system to
determine the best route to save time.
7. Avoid idling.
.Shutting off your engine when safe
for stops exceeding 30-60 seconds
saves fuel and reduces emissions.8. Buy an automated pass for toll roads.
.Automated passes permit drivers to
use special lanes to maintain cruising
speed through the toll and avoid
stopping and starting.
9. Winter warm up.
.Limit idling time to minimize impact to
fuel economy.
.Vehicles typically need no more than
30 seconds of idling at start-up to
effectively circulate the engine oil
before driving.
.Your vehicle will reach its ideal oper-
ating temperature more quickly while
driving versus idling.
10. Keeping your vehicle cool.
.Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possi-
ble.
.When entering a hot vehicle, opening
the windows will help to reduce the
inside temperature faster, resulting in
reduced demand on your A/C system.
Starting and driving5-125
FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
