- Whenever possible use the most fuel-efficient vehicle or piece of equipment for the required trip or job.
- Reduce the amount of weight carried and if possible eliminate items that create drag or wind resistance.
- Avoid extended idling and warm-up periods. Idling consumes up to one gallon of fuel per hour.
- Start-up the vehicle and proceed to your work assignment as soon as your vehicle is drivable.
- Always drive at a moderate speed and accelerate as though an egg is between your foot and the fuel pedal.
- Do not increase engine speed or "rev up" prior to shutting an engine off. It wastes fuel and increases engine wear.
- Anticipate traffic conditions, signals and slowdowns. Driving at a consistent speed will provide improved fuel economy.
- Have the tire pressure checked regularly; at least once a month. A low tire can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent.
- Brake early and slowly decelerate to maximize fuel economy.
- Use air conditioning sparingly in stop-and-go traffic. At steady freeway speeds, however, it may be better to use the air conditioner than to drive with your windows down, which increases wind resistance.
- Rideshare to meetings or walk whenever possible. (With summer approaching, we will work to obtain bicycles for short trips if we receive requests for them.)
- If you have several stops to make, plan carefully. It's best to start the engine while it's still hot.
- Starting the engine more than one hour after it has stopped running, increases fuel consumption and air pollution.