Fuel Conservation Tips

Chances are you're feeling the effects of high gas prices these days.

With crude oil soaring to record levels experts say prices are only going to get higher.

There's actually many simple things you can do to conserve fuel.

Just by taking a look at the owner's manual of your vehicle you can usually find a whole list of tips on driving smarter and simple maintenance that will help you conserve gas.

Ensure Tires are Inflated to the Correct Pressure
This is the cheapest and easiest way to control fuel expenses. and the one most often overlooked. If your drivers don't have a tire gauge, it is worth the expense to buy them one so they can ensure that tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended level.

Clean Out the Trunk and Eliminate Unnecessary Weight
Cars, like cargo trucks, get much better mileage when they're not loaded with unnecessary additional weight. According to AutoZone, every 200 lbs. of unnecessary weight trims one mile off fuel efficiency.

Avoid Long Idling
The worst mileage a car can get is 0 miles per gallon, which occurs when it idles. Idling for long periods of time, whether at a rail road crossing or pulling off the road to make a cell phone call, consumes gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Restarting an engine uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds. When idling for longer periods of time, shut off the engine.

Buy Gasoline in the Morning To maximize fuel economy, the editors of Kelley Blue Book suggest buying gasoline when the temperature is cold and gasoline is at its densest. Consumers are charged based on volume, not density.

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