​Driving Behaviors

Driving behavior and vehicle maintenance can have substantial impacts on fuel efficiency.

• Instead of taking multiple short trips, link your trips together. This decreases the number of times you need to start your car on a cold engine, which creates more pollution.
  
  
• Don’t idle. Idling leads to more emissions than stopping the car, then starting it up again shortly after (while the engine is still warm).
  
  
• Speeding, rapid acceleration, and abrupt braking can decrease fuel efficiency by 33% at highway speeds.
  
  
• If your family owns more than one vehicle, choose the one with higher gas mileage whenever possible.
  
  
• By driving more slowly, you can increase fuel efficiency. Each five miles per hour over 60 miles per hour is like paying an additional 20 cents for gas.
  
• If you drive a car with manual transmission, change gears at the right revs.
  
  
• Use the lowest manufacturer-recommended octane gasoline
  
  
• Travel during off-peak hours
  
  
• Close windows when driving on the expressway to reduce drag
  
  
• Take the shortest route with the best roads
  
  
• Practice proper vehicle maintenance
• Keep your engine serviced and in good working order.
  
  
• Regularly check and replace fuel filters.
  
  
• Use high-quality oil.
  
  
• Make sure tire pressure is where it should be. This increases the life of the tires and improves efficiency.
  
  
• Don’t keep extraneous objects in your car. This adds weight and increases emissions.