NEW YORK — It may be too late to get the family car to the garage for a fuel-maximizing tune up before everyone piles in for the holiday weekend trip, but it still makes sense to take steps to maximize your car’s fuel efficiency.
Here are a few steps everyone can take that will help reduce fuel consumption.
Check your tire pressure. Tire pressure got a lot of attention when it became an issue in the presidential campaign. Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Check the owner’s manual to find the proper pressure for your car’s tires.
Pack light. Extra weight reduces mileage, so carry only what you need on the trip.
Resist the temptation to use a roof rack, which greatly increases fuel use. “If you can avoid loading stuff on the roof, by all means do it,” said Robert Sinclair Jr., a spokesman for AAA-New York. “That’s the last, last, last resort.” If you can’t get what you need in the trunk or the car itself, Sinclair said an extender rack that attaches to the rear bumper is preferable.
Slow down. “For every 5 mph above 60 mph, it’s like adding 30 cents a gallon to the price of the gas,” said Sinclair. Using cruise control on the highway can help maintain a constant speed, which can also improve efficiency.
Use air-conditioning for highway driving. Open windows cause air drag, which reduces efficiency, particularly at high speeds. Some studies have found that for driving around town, air conditioning reduces efficiency, but for many newer cars the reduction may not be great.
Avoid aggressive driving. “Jackrabbit” starts and stops associated with aggressive driving can reduce efficiency by up to 5 percent, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which has more tips posted on its Web site, www.ftc.gov.
Don’t idle the engine. “If you’re idling for more than 10 seconds, shut it off,” Sinclair said. “For every hour that you idle, you burn a gallon of gas.” So if you find yourself stuck in a traffic jam where the cars are not moving at all, turn the key.
Sinclair noted extensive idling can be a safety issue as well, because idling cars pull more power from the battery.
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