The Car Care Council has developed a short quiz to help remind motorists that the number of miles per gallon (MPG) is DIRECTLY related to vehicle maintenance AND driving behavior. Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council stated that “Motorists can easily save money on gas thru driving smarter and paying attention to the few vehicle components that directly affect fuel economy.” The following T/F Quiz will help you improve fuel efficiency, especially in these times of high fuel prices!
TRUE OR FALSE
Q1: properly inflated tires improve gas mileage.
A1: True. Improperly inflated tires, typically too LOW, can add 3 to 5 cents higher/gallon to fuel cost. Check your tire pressure, including your spare, at least once monthly.
Q2: Aggressive driving and jackrabbit starts do not affect fuel economy.
A2: False. Rapid acceleration and aggressive driving can reduce gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% in the city.
Q3: Speeding has minimal effect on gas mileage.
A3: False. Traveling greater than 60 miles per hour rapidly decreases gas mileage. Stay at or below 60 to maximize economy.
Q4: Don’t worry about a cracked, damaged or lost gas cap.
A4: False. As many as 17% of vehicles on the road have loose, missing or damaged caps, resulting in the evaporation loss of 147 MILLION gallons of gas annually!
Q5: Excessively loaded vehicles cause a decrease in fuel efficiency.
A5: True. Items not needed in the vehicle add unnecessary weight, increasing fuel usage and adding more wear and tear on the vehicle, especially tire and brake wear. Get this stuff out of the car, but be sure to retain important things like spare tire, flares and a first aid kit.
Other items to be aware of, needing your attention, include air filters. If they become clogged with dirt, dust, embedded bugs, etc. they can choke off proper air intake, resulting in a “rich” mixture. This condition wastes gas and will result in lost engine power. Replacement of a clogged air filter can result in a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. Inspect your air filter at every oil change, and replace if indicated.
For further information on the benefits of regular car care, be sure to visit the Car Care Council’s website, www.carcare.org.