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FUEL ECONOMY: Getting Up to Speed When gasoline prices go up, you look for ways to get better mileage from your car or truck. Whether you’re shopping for a new car or maintaining the one you have, here are some tips that will save you money.

Use the Octane Level You Need. Your owner’s manual tells you the recommended octane level [regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane), and premium (usually 92 or 93 octane)] for your car. For most cars, that’s regular octane. Unless your engine is knocking, buying a higher octane than your car needs is pouring money down the drain.

Beware of “Gas-Saving” Gadgets. Be skeptical about devices that claim to boost your mileage. EPA has tested over 100 of them—everything from mixture “enhancers” to fuel line magnets—and none offered substantial savings. Some devices may even damage your engine or increase emissions. For more information and a list of tested products, visit the EPA's Consumer Information website.

Consider the Alternatives. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) operate on fuels like methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or electricity. Driving a car that uses an alternative fuel may reduce harmful pollutants. The law requires labels on all new AFVs to give estimated cruising range and other important information. Compare before you buy. Find out how many miles a new AFV travels on a “tank” of fuel. Some don’t go as far as gas-powered cars.

Drive More Efficiently. Smart drivers know that speeding can cost you at the pump. To make the most of your gas dollar:

• Stay within posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
• Improve your mileage up to 5% by avoiding quick starts and stops. Anticipate traffic conditions and drive gently.
• Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
• Combine errands. Several short trips can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance.
• Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate. They improve highway fuel economy.
• Remove items from your trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce fuel economy by up to 2%.
• Don’t pack items on top of your car unless you have to. The wind resistance of a loaded roof rack can reduce fuel economy by 5%.

Maintain Your Car

• Keep your engine tuned according to your owner’s manual to increase gas mileage by an average of 4%.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned to increase gas mileage up to 3%.
• Change your oil according to the schedule in your owner’s manual and use the manufacturer’s recommended grade. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the label contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
• Replace air filters regularly. Clogged filters can reduce gas mileage up to 10%.

To learn more about alternative fuel vehicles, call the Department of Energy’s National Alternative Fuels Hotline at 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463) or visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov for more information about saving money at the gas pump.