BOISE – As many Idaho families continue to embark on summer road trips, AAA is sharing tips to help conserve fuel.
“While gas prices are still a bit cheaper than a year ago, anything we can do to help stretch the fuel budget is a good thing,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient all the time, but small adjustments to driving and maintenance habits can also add up.”
Driving habits to boost fuel efficiency
- Drive smoothly and evenly. Sudden acceleration and hard braking can reduce fuel economy by up to 40% in heavy traffic. And lowering highway speeds by just 5 to 10 MPH can save up to 14% of your fuel.
- Use cruise control when it’s safe to do so. Once again, consistent speeds can help you save fuel!
- Avoid idling by not leaving your car running for extended periods of time, and avoid rush hour and stop-and-go traffic wherever possible.
- Plan ahead. Anticipate road conditions, including potential delays on a route due to construction. Organize your daily errands to minimize backtracking, and bundle tasks when you can.
- Use the right grade of gasoline as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Take advantage of carpooling opportunities to spread out the cost of driving.
Maintenance tips for better fuel economy
- Schedule regular car maintenance, including oil changes.
- Ensure tires are properly inflated – underinflated tires create more resistant and can impact your mileage.
- Replace dirty engine filters.
- Never ignore the “check engine” light – address issues immediately!
“Choose your next vehicle wisely. Fuel economy sometimes gets overlooked in the purchase decision,” Conde said. “As a general rule, the smallest vehicle that meets your needs will be the least expensive to fuel. And if you own more than one car, choose the best vehicle for the task.”