Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient Driv-
ing 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 Ve-
hicle 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
Distances
• Observing the speed limit and not ex- ceeding 60 mph (97 km/h) (where le-
gally allowed) can improve fuel effi-
ciency due to reduced aerodynamic
drag.
• Maintaining a safe following distance behind other vehicles reduces unneces-
sary braking.
• Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate changes in speed permits reduced brak-
ing 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 effec-
tively circulate the engine oil before
driving.
• Your vehicle will reach its ideal operat- ing temperature more quickly while driv-
ing versus idling.
10. Keeping your Vehicle Cool
• Park your vehicle in a covered parking area or in the shade whenever possible.
• When entering a hot vehicle, opening the windows will help to reduce the in-
side temperature faster, resulting in re-
duced demand on your A/C system.
FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
5-132Starting and driving
