Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the
fuel mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition
Always maintain your car accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating
condition.
An important part of that
maintenance is the
Periodic
Checks
(see page
109
). For
example an underinfiated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure
at least monthly. In winter the
build-up of snow on your car's
underside adds weight and rolling
resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion.
Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid
acceleration, cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel. Always
drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and
accelerate smoothly. Maintain a
constant speed while cruising,
depending on traffic conditions.
Every time you slow down and
speed up, your car uses extra fuel.
Use the cruise control, when
appropriate, to increase fuel
economy.
A cold engine uses more fuel than
a warm engine. It is not necessary
to "warm-up" a cold engine by
letting it idle for a long time. You
can drive away within thirty
seconds, no matter how cold it is
outside. The engine will warm up
faster, and you get better fuel
economy. To cut down on the
number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into
one.
Air conditioning puts an extra load
on the engine which makes it use
more fuel. Turn off the A/C to cut
down on air conditioning use. Use
the flow-through ventilation when
the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Before Driving
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