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Show CAR CARE Special Oct. 15, 2007 • Page 8 driving, including speeding, constant braking and quick acceleration. If you are continually slamming on the brakes and driving at fast speeds, you are wasting gas. Coast as much as possible. Berman recommends taking your foot off the gas, and being aware of your surroundings to avoid sudden stops. "We all lead busy lives," says Berman. "If you are late to work, you are going to forget how to drive in a way to save gas." The fuel economy site presents these additional driving recommendations: - Use cruise control: It helps keep a constant speed. - Avoid idling when possible: Turn off the engine when sitting for long periods. - Put into overdrive gears: The car's engine speed decreases meaning less gas intake. Cautious driving is even more important when traveling during the winter season, since cars have approximately a 10 percent to 20 percent loss in fuel efficien- We're not doctors, but we canfixyour depression. 752-0525 50 E. 1000 cy. During the cold season, Berman says engines spend more time warming up; it takes longer for the car to keep a standard operating temperature. Passengers tend to use heaters, defrosters and headlights more often, there is more outdoor resistance (wind, cold air and snow or ice on the roads), and stiffer tires cause a decrease in tire pressure. Determining the octane level gas of your car and using the suggested grade of motor oil will reduce costs. The higher the octane level, the more the price increases. AAA recommends making sure your car has the proper gas cap. Avoid topping off your gas tank because fuel expansion may cause an overflow. Look for low gas prices, but don't drive t o a station across town to save a few cents. Something as easy as lightening the car load can help save gas money. Extra weight in the trunk, passenger compartment or cargo area causes the car to use more fuel, according to AAA. Keep unnecessary items out of the trunk. Occasionally rolling down the window instead of always using the air conditioning is another easy tip. Fuel efficiency needs to be considered when purchasing a vehicle. Berman tells car seekers to pay close attention to the fuel economy numbers on the vehicles. AAA asks car seekers to keep these options in mind: - Four-wheel-drive vehicles usually consume more gas. - Automatic transmissions tend to use more gas than manual transmissions. - Smaller engines usually get better gas mileage. - Engines requiring premium fuel will cost more at the pump. - Trucks, vans or sport utility vehicles with shorter beds tend to consume less gas. Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic and Honda Fit are a few of the cars that receive high fuel efficiency; however, hybrids are another option. Berman advocates the advantages of owning a hybrid on his site. He says having a car that runs on both electricity and fuel saves gas money and doesn't affect safety or performance. "We have reached a level where batteries give off enough energy," said Berman. "It is affordable and logical to add these systems to our cars." Denise Morrissey, the Toyota division communications administrator, says hybrids are becoming more appealing as gas prices increase. Toyota Motor Corp. recently sold its one-millionth hybrid globally. The corporation's goal was to produce a small car that would achieve better mileage than the internal combustible engine. When possible leave your car in the garage. If it is a short trip, hop on a bike or go for a walk. Participate in a car pool to share the fuel expense. If convenient, AAA recommends using public transportation. If you must drive, plan ahead in order to combine errands. Or change your daily commute in order to avoid rush hour traffic. "Not everyone needs to start riding bikes," said Berman. "But making better choices in how we drive could add up to a lot. Hybrids and new technology could even play a role." For more information, visit www.aaa.com, www.hybridcars.com, www.toyota.com and www.fueleconomy.gov. — Copley News Service |