SolveYourProblem eLearning Series:
Gas Prices Are Outrageous,
Save Me Some Money!
( 13 pages )

36. Avoid an idling vehicle

Try to avoid letting your car idle, even on those cold mornings when you try to heat up the car before driving to work.

Studies show that there is no need to let your car idle for more than 30 seconds even in cold weather and that idling will reduce your fuel consumption.

New cars are specifically designed for you to be able to start and drive away immediately without any idle time. Make sure that you get up early enough to scrape the snow and ice off your car in the winter months. There is no need to start your car while you are cleaning off your windows.

Finish cleaning off your windows and then start your car when you are ready to leave.

37. Remove weight from your car

If you are not specifically hauling around some heavy material make sure that you remove it from your car.

This means not using your car as a storage box for unwanted items that you don’t know where to put. The more weight that you carry in your car, other than passengers, the more fuel that you are going to consume as you drive.

38. Turn off your car

Studies show that it’s more fuel efficient to turn off your car than it is to let it idle for much longer than about 45 seconds. If you are in a long line up at the ferry, waiting for someone outside the store, or waiting for an accident up ahead to clear you can turn off your car engine and save yourself some money and fuel.

Plan your trips so that you can avoid those long idle moments that will waste your gas and add dollars onto the price of a gallon. It only takes a second to start your car again if you have turned it off while waiting in a traffic jam that doesn’t seem to be moving.

39. Avoid using the air conditioner

When you first get into your hot vehicle try to drive with the windows open to let out the hot air and let in a fresh breeze.

If this fails to lower the temperature in your car you can put on the air conditioning. The air conditioner will work more efficiently and faster if you open up the windows first.

If you need to use the air conditioning in your car you should keep in mind that your fuel economy will be reduced by 10 to 20 percent.

One of the ways to use your air conditioner is to use it for minimal amounts of times. Keep the windows closed when you are using the air conditioning.

Once the car has reached a cooler temperature you can turn off the air conditioning but it is important to note that you should still keep the windows closed since opening them will only allow in the hot air once again.

40. Avoid sudden stops and turns

When you are driving your vehicle you should try to avoid braking suddenly or starting abruptly.

Studies indicate that when you brake gradually, start slowly, and avoid those sudden stops that you can increase your fuel consumption. Drive responsibly and with care to avoid these stops and starts.

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