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Recycling - Car Tips and Clean Air |
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Recycling Department
2nd Floor Mayfield Annex
625 Walnut Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-209-6480
FAX 423-209-6481
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10 Ways to Save on Gas
by Bob Cerullo
Parade Magazine, July 9, 2000
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| Buying a fuel-efficient
car is the smartest move, of course. But there are simple things you can
do to get better mileage with your current vehicle. Here are 10 ways to
save on gas: |
1. Keep
starts and stops smooth. Nailing the pedal to the floor in “jackrabbit
starts” waste gas. Abrupt stops also waste fuel - and cause extra wear and
tear.
2. Perform routine car care. Dirty air filters and oil filters, worn
spark plugs, neglected oil changes and problems with the emission-control
system can reduce fuel economy. Change your oil and check the filters every
3000 miles for peak performance.
3. Maintain tires and keep wheels aligned. Low tire air pressure
is dangerous - and costly. It creates a drag on the engine, prematurely
wears out tires and burns more gas. Misaligned wheels, worn wheel bearings
or dragging brakes also can reduce fuel economy by 10%
4. Buy the right octane. Most cars work fine on regular gas (unless
you hear an engine knock). But you should use the octane the carmaker specifies.
5. Use your air conditioner wisely. Running
your air conditioner greatly increases gas consumption. Don’t use it if
fresh air will cool the vehicle sufficiently. On hot days, park in the shade
and open the windows a few minutes when get in to let hot air escape.
6. Lighten the load. Don’t use your trunk to store stuff - extra
tires, beach chairs, a case of motor oil. Added weight lowers fuel economy.
A rooftop luggage rack also creates drag that will reduce mileage.
7. Stay out of traffic. Stop-and-go traffic
takes a drastic toll on fuel usage. If at all possible, plan your trips
to avoid periods of peak traffic congestion. Also try to avoid unnecessary
idling, which burns more gas than turning off and restarting the engine.
8. Drive Smart. First, keep your speed down:
Going 65 mph uses about 15% more fuel than going 55 mph, and going 70 to
75 mph may consume 25% more. Second, keep a constant speed - use cruise
control if you can. Finally, use overdrive if you have it (most vehicles
with automatic transmission do). That way, the car will shift into gas-saving
mode at about 50 mph.
9. Plan your errands. Taking frequent short trips will guzzle gas.
Instead, try to combine errands with your daily commute: Pick up your dry
cleaning on the way home from work, for example.
10. Fill up in the morning. You’ll get slightly
more fuel for your dollar if you fill up when it’s cooler outside. (Cooler
gasoline is more compact.) Over time, the savings can add up. |
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CAR CARE and CLEAN AIR
(American Lung Association)
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The Road
to Clean Air
How is car maintenance linked
to clean air? |
| One important
feature of most cars built since 1975 is the catalytic converter. When properly
functioning: |
- catalytic converters and electronic
engine systems can reduce harmful emissions by up to 90%.
- Some car owners and mechanics
tamper with their emission control equipment, under the mistaken impression
that performance and fuel efficiency will be improved.
- In fact, emission controls are
integral to the functioning of your car’s engine; if it has been tampered
with, both performance and fuel efficiency will be reduced.
|
| Undergoing
an annual emission inspection in those states where an inspection and maintenance
(I/M) program is in place will help insure that your car’s emission control
equipment functions properly. In addition, regular tune-ups can improve
fuel efficiency by up to 15% -- a big savings at the pump. |
- Using leaded gas in a car that
requires unleaded gas reduces spark plug and oil filter life and damages
both the exhaust system and the catalytic converter.
- Some car owners switch leaded
gas for unleaded, trying to save pennies at the pump.
- In fact, using the proper fuel
saves far more money than would otherwise be spent for replacement parts
and repairs.
- This makes economic and environmental
sense.
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| Many other
components on your car (spark plugs, fuel metering system, ignition timing,
etc.) can also increase air pollution emissions and decrease fuel economy
when they aren’t functioning properly. These problems and others can be
discovered and corrected by following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation
for preventive maintenance. |
| Following
the tips described above and having your car tuned up regularly, at least
once a year, will go a long way towards reducing air pollution, improving
your car’s performance, conserving energy, and saving you money on repairs. |
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If you have any questions call the Recycling
Department at 209-6480 or send e-mail to:
Recycling@Hamiltontn.gov
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