ENERGY MATTERS |
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(NAPSI)-Increasingly, motorists are looking for ways to contain fuel costs and improve the environment. One expert says drivers can cut down on fuel use, save money and go "green" by driving a little smarter. "When it comes to lessening our impact on the environment, every little bit helps," said Steve Short of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which owns the world's largest fleet of vehicles. Here are a few of Short's tips: • Lighten your load: On road trips, it's smart to leave behind heavy, unnecessary items. Even for your day-to-day travel, take a few minutes to clean out your car to eliminate extra weight. Pack only what you need, keeping a few items that can come in handy in an emergency. • Reduce your speed: For every 10 miles per hour you reduce speed, you improve your fuel economy by 4 miles per gallon. Staying at or a bit below the speed limit can have a big impact on the environment and your bank account. • Plan routes in advance and combine trips: Try to anticipate your errands and plan to knock them all out in one day, if not one stop. • Buy for the need; rent for the exception: For those occasions when
your day-to-day vehicle won't fit the bill, it's easy to rent something that
will. For example, with more than 6,000 neighborhood locations, • Use the right fuel: Check your owner's manual when choosing what grade of gasoline to use and don't spend the extra money on a premium grade if you don't need to. • Avoid the top off: Filling beyond the cutoff point can lead to spills and release gas vapors into the air. This wastes money and pollutes the air, even aggravating smog in bigger cities. • Carpool when possible: Set up a car pool with colleagues at work, or coordinate with family and friends to carpool for regular errands such as grocery shopping. • Keep tires properly inflated: Maintaining proper tire inflation levels can improve fuel economy. Your vehicle owner's manual will show you the proper inflation levels. • Cool off wisely: Sometimes air-conditioning can help drivers save money. At faster highway speeds, open windows can actually increase drag and hurt fuel economy. So consider the weather--and your speed--before deciding how to stay cool on the go. For more information on ways drivers can go "green," visit www.keystogreen.com, Staying at or just below the speed limit can have a big impact on the environment and your bank account. So can keeping tires properly inflated. |
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