FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
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 num- ber 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 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 unnec- essary 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 stop- ping 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 ef- fectively circulate the engine oil before driving.
• Your vehicle will reach its ideal operat- ing 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 possible.
• 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.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
• Keep your engine tuned up.
• Follow the recommended scheduled maintenance.
• Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy.
• Keep the wheels in correct alignment. Im- proper alignment increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy.
• For vehicles equipped with , use 4H or 4L position only when necessary. 4-Wheel Drive operation lowers fuel economy.
• Use the recommended viscosity engine oil. For additional information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations” (P. 10-7).
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