Fuel efficient driving tips
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 commuting
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 number
of stops
● Maintaining a steady speed can minimize
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 exceeding
60 MPH (97 km/h) (where legally
allowed) can improve fuel efficiency
due to reduced aerodynamic drag
● Maintaining a safe following distance behind
other vehicles reduces unnecessary
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 stopping 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 effectively
circulate the engine oil before driving
● Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating
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
See also:
2nd row bench seat adjustment
Forward and backward
Pull the center of the bar 1 up and hold it while
you slide the seat forward or backward to the
desired position. Release the bar to lock the seat
in position.
Reclining
To ...
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the temperature
will drop below 32°F (0°C), check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see “Engine cooling system” in t ...
Seat belts
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.
Allow the belts to dry completely in the shade
before using them. See “Seat belt maintenance”
in ...