Consumer Services

Going the Extra Mile on Less $$$

As summer rolls around and millions of Americans gear up to hit the road for planned family vacations, gas prices will be a determining factor as to how far people travel. Whether you're planning to RV to the other side of the country or just trying to get around your neighborhood on fewer gallons per mile, the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department gives you the tools you need to beat the prices at the pump.

At the time of this article, crude oil prices hit an all-time high of $140 a barrel. The national average price for a gallon of regular gas spiked to $4.08 -- nearly 36% higher than the price at this time last year. This information is enough to drive anyone to make changes in the way they drive, how they upkeep their vehicles and even what method of transportation they choose. The U.S. Department of Energy provides some helpful recommendations.

Driving Tips:

• Drive more efficiently -- Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town.

• Avoid high speeds -- Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $.20 per gallon for gas. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others.

• Remove excess weight -- Clean out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage. Also, take down any items stored on the roof rack of your vehicle. This creates drag and can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.

• Avoid excess idling -- Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.

• Use cruise control -- Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

• Use overdrive gears -- When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

• Cut down on using air conditioning in your vehicle.

• Check into telecommuting, carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.

• Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
  

Keep your Car in Shape:

• Keep your engine properly tuned.

• Check and replace air filters regularly -- You can save as much as 10% on your car's gas mileage by replacing a clogged air filter.

• Keep tires properly inflated -- It improves gas mileage by approximately 3.3%, and it's also safer.

• Use the recommended grade of motor oil.

*Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.72/gallon.

For long-term savings, consider purchasing a highly fuel-efficient vehicle. It will yield you savings at the pump and help the environment.

Get more information on fuel savings by visiting http://www.fueleconomy.gov.

For more consumer news, visit the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website www.miamidade.gov/csd or call the Consumer Mediation Center at 305-375-3677. 

Back to Top Page Last Edited: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:51:33 PM