Ten Simple Ways to Save Money on Gas; Cost-Cutting Steps Also Make a Difference in Air Quality

AUSTIN, Texas, May 21, 2004 -- With no end in sight to rising gasoline prices, supporters of the state's air quality campaign say there are plenty of simple things drivers can do to save money at the pump and help reduce air pollution at the same time.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), who sponsor the two-year-old Drive Clean Across Texas initiative, say little things can add up to big savings when it comes to gasoline consumption.

"Many tips for using less gas also help reduce the harmful car and truck emissions responsible for about half of the air pollution found in many areas of the state," said Israel Anderson, director of TCEQ's Small Business and Environmental Assistance Division. "Drivers may be surprised at just how much money they can actually save without having to make a lot of big adjustments."

   Here are ten ways to save money on gas and pollute less while you save:
   1.  Keep your car well-maintained.  Replacing a clogged air filter can
       improve your vehicle's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.  While
       you're having the air filter replaced, have the mechanic check out
       your oil and fuel filters, too.
   2.  Keep your tires properly inflated and balanced to prevent excess drag
       on your engine.  This can improve fuel economy by up to one mile per
       gallon.  Depending on the size of your gas tank, you could get an
       extra 20 miles per tank.
   3.  Drive the speed limit.  Gas mileage drops the faster you drive.  Each
       5 mph over 60 mph is equivalent to paying an extra 10 cents per
       gallon for gas.  In a 20-gallon tank, that's adding an extra $2 to
       your gas bill for every 5-mile increment over 60 mph.
   4.  Avoid aggressive driving, jackrabbit starts and quick stops.  At
       highway speeds, you'll lower your gas mileage by about 33 percent.
       By maintaining a constant speed and driving sensibly, you could save
       as much as 50 cents a gallon.
   5.  Drive less by combining your errands.  Several separate short trips
       from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer trip when
       your vehicle's engine is already warmed up.
   6.  Avoid idling in drive-through lanes.  Idling burns more gas than
       restarting the engine.  Turn off the engine if you know you will have
       a long wait.  Better still, park and go inside.
   7.  Travel light.  Carrying an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle makes
       your engine work harder and use more gas.  A loaded roof rack can
       decrease your fuel economy by up to five percent.  Reduce drag by
       removing heavy items from your vehicle that you don't need to carry
       around.
   8.  Use multi-grade motor oil labeled "energy conserving" to improve your
       gas mileage.  Using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use
       5W-30 can reduce fuel efficiency by up to two percent.
   9.  Stop at the "click" -- when you fill up, don't top off your tank.
       Spilled gasoline pollutes the air when it evaporates, and it's like
       dropping spare change on the ground.
   10. If your vehicle has a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
       transmission, shift into your overdrive gear as soon as your speed is
       high enough.  If you have a manual transmission, remember the lower
       the shift speed, the better your fuel economy.

Bottom line: Experts say the good habits that save money at the gas pump also help reduce air pollution and improve the quality of the air we all breathe. To find out more, log on to www.drivecleanacrosstexas.org .

For more information, contact: Israel Anderson, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 512-239-5319 (office) or 512-350-4810 (cell).