Liz Allison Teams With AutoVantage: Auto Club Advice on Fuel Savings, Conservation
NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 13 -- Everyone likes to save a few dollars at the pump, but filling up every week is a fact of life. Would you change your driving habits, though, if you knew that how you drive makes a difference in your fuel economy?
"You can't always eliminate the amount of trips you take in your car. But contrary to what you may think, you can have an affect on the fuel economy of any car with small changes in the way you drive and take care of your vehicle," said AutoVantage spokesperson Liz Allison.
"Using as little fuel as possible on your daily commute or while running errands across town makes sense and can save you money at the gas pump," said Mike Wain, vice president of AutoVantage. "Hybrids are a great fuel-efficient alternative to everyday gas-guzzlers. But even in your current family sedan, you can make a difference in how often you visit the pump."
Although their popularity is on the rise (nationwide registrations jumped 28 percent from 2005 to 2006, according to R. L. Polk & Co.), hybrids still only account for 1.5 percent of all new vehicle registrations in the U.S. And while you may consider a hybrid for your next car purchase, you can start saving fuel now.
Here are a few tips for making trips to the pump more efficient:
-- Pressure Check: Did you know fuel savings can be linked to how much air
is in your tires? Government studies show keeping your tires inflated
to the recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 3
percent. And you can bump those savings up to around 5 percent simply
by using the proper grade of motor oil.
-- Shape Up With a Tune-Up: Keep your vehicle in shape by getting regular
tune-ups. The U.S. Department of Energy says fixing a car that's
noticeably out of tune can improve gas mileage by 4 percent. If you fix
a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, it can
improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. You can save money on
tune-ups and overall car maintenance by joining a car club like
AutoVantage.
-- Filter Maintenance: Something as simple as a healthy air filter can
improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Air filters
keep impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Check and
replace them regularly.
-- Slow Down: Would you like to save up to $0.20 per gallon? Get the pedal
off the metal. Government studies show that each five mph you drive
over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon of gas. So 55
not only saves lives, it also saves money.
-- Don't Be Aggressive: It's not just speed that lowers gas mileage;
aggressive driving is to blame, as well. Accelerating and braking
abruptly can lower your gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the
highway and 5 percent in the city.
-- Cruise, Don't Lose: Each time you accelerate, your car expends more
energy. Constant braking and accelerating causes less fuel efficiency
and a faster trip to the pump. Use cruise control whenever possible.
-- Consider What You Carry: Roof racks or carriers may be a solution to
getting that last piece of luggage in the car or getting your bike to
the trails, but a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5
percent! Load your trunk before resorting to a roof rack. And
reconsider how much you need to carry - an extra 100 pounds in the
trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.
-- Combine Trips: Make a plan before you head out for errands and combine
trips in your car. Making multiple short trips from a cold start can
use twice as much fuel as one long multipurpose trip.
-- Consider a Hybrid: If you are in the market for a new car, hybrid-
electric vehicles combine the best features of the internal combustion
engine with an electric motor. This can save you money on gas and helps
the environment, because hybrids emit less pollution. Another money-
saving factor: the Energy Act of 2005 established a federal tax credit
for certain hybrids.
-- Shop Around: If hybrids aren't for you, there are still plenty of
conventional automobiles that can save you big bucks at the pump.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the difference between a
car that gets 20 mpg and one that gets 30 mpg amounts to about $744 per
year, considering the average cost of gas and miles driven per year.
Liz Allison, a spokesperson for AutoVantage, is a NASCAR TV personality, radio host and best-selling author. She has served as a racing analyst for TNT, CNNSI, TNN, CNN, ESPN and ESPN2. Allison has appeared on NBC's "Today Show," CNN, Fox and Friends, ESPN, MSNBC, Fox News Weekend Live and the Speed Channel. She is host of the No. 1 NASCAR radio show in Nashville, called "The Drivers Zone," on WGFX-FM. Allison is also host and track announcer for the Nashville Superspeedway. She is the best-selling author of "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR" - and has written two sequels for Time Warner Books, the first of which was released Sept. 6. Allison has written three NASCAR Harlequin Romance novels, the first slated for November 2007 publication. She has penned articles for USA Today, NASCAR Scene, NASCAR Illustrated, NASCAR.com, MSN.com and FoxSports.com.
About AutoVantage
Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included. AutoVantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.
About Affinion Group
Affinion Group, www.affiniongroup.com, is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 5,200 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation, which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,000 employees throughout the United States and in 14 countries across Europe.
