Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient
Driving Tips to help you achieve the most
fuel economy from your vehicle.
1. Use Smooth Accelerator and Brake
Pedal Application
• Avoid rapid starts and stops.
• Use smooth, gentle accelerator and
brake application whenever possible.
• Maintain constant speed while com-
muting and coast whenever possible.
2. Maintain Constant Speed
• Look ahead to try and anticipate and
minimize stops.
• Synchronizing your speed with traffic
lights allows you to reduce your num-
ber of stops.
• Maintaining a steady speed can mini-
mize red light stops and improve fuel
efficiency.
3. Use Air Conditioning (A/C) at Higher
Vehicle Speeds
• Below 40 mph (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to open windows to cool the
vehicle due to reduced engine load.
• Above 40 mph (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to use A/C to cool the vehicle
due to increased aerodynamic drag.
• Recirculating the cool air in the cabin
when the A/C is on reduces cooling
load.
4. Drive at Economical Speeds and
Distances
• Observing the speed limit and not ex-
ceeding 60 mph (97 km/h) (where le-
gally allowed) can improve fuel effi-
ciency due to reduced aerodynamic
drag.
• Maintaining a safe following distance
behind other vehicles reduces unnec-
essary braking.
• Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate
changes in speed permits reduced
braking and smooth acceleration
changes.
• Select a gear range suitable to road
conditions.
5. Use Cruise Control
• Using cruise control during highway
driving helps maintain a steady speed.
• Cruise control is particularly effective
in providing fuel savings when driving
on flat terrains.
6. Plan for the Shortest Route
• Utilize a map or navigation system to
determine the best route to save time.
7. Avoid Idling
• Shutting off your engine when safe for
stops exceeding 30–60 seconds saves
fuel and reduces emissions.
8. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
• Automated passes permit drivers to
use special lanes to maintain cruising
speed through the toll and avoid stop-
ping and starting.
9. Winter Warm Up
• Limit idling time to minimize impact to
fuel economy.
• Vehicles typically need no more than
30 seconds of idling at start-up to ef-
fectively circulate the engine oil before
driving.
• Your vehicle will reach its ideal operat-
ing temperature more quickly while
driving versus idling.
10. Keeping your Vehicle Cool
• Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever
possible.
• When entering a hot vehicle, opening
the windows will help to reduce the
inside temperature faster, resulting in
reduced demand on your A/C system.
FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
5-170 Starting and driving