12 Ways to Save
Gasoline, Money & the Environment
1.
Purchase the correct fuel. If
your vehicle does not require premium or mid-grade fuel, purchase less
expensive regular unleaded gasoline. Producing higher-octane
gasoline uses more crude oil than the lower octane gasoline, and may
often involve use of toxic substances -- which means the environment
suffers. Savings $0.19 p/gallon
2.
Keep engine properly tuned.
Ignition timing, spark plugs and wiring, and idle speed setting.
Savings $0.26 p/gallon. Fuel Benefit per Gallon: 4.1% -
20%.
3.
Check and replace air filters regularly.
Savings $0.20 p/gallon. Fuel Benefit per Gallon up to
3%.
4.
Keep tires properly inflated.
Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every psi
drop in pressure of all four tires. Savings $0.06 p/gallon.
Fuel Benefit per Gallon up to 3%.
5.
Use recommended grade of motor oil.
Savings $0.02 p/gallon. Fuel Benefit per Gallon 1% - 2%.
6.
Drive sensibly. Aggressive
driving wastes gas. Avoid quick starts and sudden stops.
This wastes fuel, is harder on vehicle components and increases the odds
of a traffic crash. Savings $0.14 p/gallon. Fuel
Benefit per Gallon 7% - 23%.
7.
Keep ignition and emission systems operating
properly. Savings $0.80 p/gallon. Fuel
Benefit per Gallon 40% if you have a faulty oxygen sensor.
8.
Use air conditioner only when needed.
Savings $0.10 p/gallon. Fuel Benefits per Gallon 5% -
20%.
9.
Avoid idling. Sitting idle gets
zero miles per gallon and consumes between one half and one gallon of
gasoline per hour.
10.
Use correct replacement gas cap.
A leaking or missing gas cap can result in the release of 30 gallons of
fuel per year into the atmosphere.
11.
Don't top off your gas tank. This
can result in paying for gasoline that is fed back into the station's
tanks because your tank is full. If you overfill you gas tank, the
extra gas may evaporate into your vehicle's vapor collection system.
That system may become fouled and will not work properly causing your
vehicle to run poorly and have high gas emissions. Gasoline vapors
contribute to bad ozone days and are a source of benzene.
Evaporation from the spillage of gas from overfilling can occur,
contributing to the air pollution problem. Remember, you pay
for the gas that evaporates or is spilled on the ground.
12. Limit your daytime driving whenever
possible by taking the bus, car-pooling, biking or walking.
Cents p/gallon savings based on regular gas price of $2.00 p/gallon
Source: PA Department of Environmental Protection
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