Fuel Economy Tips

• Tire pressure: For the small amount of time it takes, checking tire inflation at least once a month is one of the best investments you can make to get the maximum life out of your tires. Proper inflation can also improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent, when maintained regularly.

• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.

• Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph your drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon of gas.

• Remove excess weight. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent.

Traveling with Your Car

The following tips are from the Better Business Bureau.

• Preparing your car for travel is very important. Make sure your car is ready for the trip by checking all vital fluids such as the oil and coolant, and by visually inspecting your car for anything that looks out of place.

• It is always a good idea to double-check the coolant hoses and all belts on your car. Failures of these items are among the most common reasons that cars break down; but fortunately, they are inexpensive to replace.

• Also, check your car's battery for signs of corrosion or cracks. If the battery is the "self-diagnosing" type with an indicator, make sure it is fully charged. An older, weak battery may fail without much warning. If your battery has cracks, the fluid could leak from one or more cells, rendering it too weak to start your car.

• If you are taking an extended trip, or if your car has not been serviced recently, you should have it checked by a reputable mechanic before leaving. A good mechanic can usually spot the problems in advance, and advise you on how long you can delay a repair and what the consequences of not immediately repairing your car may be.

Helpful Links for Great Winter Tips

• Car Care Council—a lot of great automotive information!
• Driving Conditions/Related Links
• Timing Belt Information
• Wheel Alignment Information
• TireSafety.com
• Tire Safety from the NHTSA

More Winter Driving Tips:

It's important to follow rules during the winter season. Below are a few good tips to always keep in mind and discussed with others!

• Maintain good visibility. Keep windows scraped clean, and headlights clean and working properly.

• Ensure the heater and defrost system works properly and that it clears windshield properly.

• Do not use cruise control in poor weather conditions. On slippery roads with the cruise control engaged your vehicle could accelerate and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

• Maintain at least a half tank of fuel.

• Test battery annually, or if battery has ever been run dead, inspect for corrosion.

• Drive sensibly and maintain proper distance from other vehicles. Maintain a speed that is adequate for road conditions and traffic speeds.

• Check tire tread depth, condition, and tire pressure on a regular basis for all driving seasons!

• Last but not least, ALWAYS wear your seat belt!

Check tire tread depth, condition, and tire pressure on a regular basis for all driving seasons.
Click here to learn how.