PRESS
RELEASE
Ag Department Provides Tips for Conserving Fuel
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama
Department of Agriculture and Industries has released tips for conserving fuel as
gasoline prices continue to rise. The
department does not set gas prices or the tax, but their inspectors regulate
pumps at gas stations in Alabama to ensure that consumers are getting what they
pay for.
“Gas
prices typically get higher as summer nears, which can be very hard on
families,” said Commissioner John McMillan.
“That is when many of them do a lot of traveling and also go on
vacations. While we can’t do much to resolve
the unrest in the Middle East, there are some things we can do to help conserve
gas. I hope that these suggestions will
help the public save money and possibly keep them safer as they travel,
too.”
Tips for getting
better gas mileage:
Drive efficiently-
·
Observe
the speed limit because gas mileage tends to decrease at speeds above 60 mph.
·
Don’t
drive aggressively because speeding, rapid braking and acceleration waste gas.
·
Don’t
idle for too long because idling equals 0 mpg.
·
Use
cruise control to maintain a regular speed.
Maintain your
vehicle-
·
Use
the recommended octane level for your vehicle rather than spending more on
higher levels your car may not need.
·
Remove
excess weight in your vehicle because weighing more can reduce your mpg.
·
Keep
your tires properly inflated and improve your mpg by up to 3.3%.
·
Keep
your engine tuned and oil changed.
When commuting and
traveling-
·
Don’t
put cargo on the roof of your vehicle unless it is necessary because it creates
aerodynamic drag reducing your fuel economy by up to 5%.
·
Keep
your RPMs steady at 2,000 to see improved gas mileage. This includes a slow and
steady acceleration below 2,000 RPMs.
·
Combine
errands when you can because short trips with a cold engine can use twice as
much fuel than a warm engine.
Tips adapted from www.fueleconomy.gov and http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt064.shtm.
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