Improved Fuel Efficiency

Improved Fuel Efficiency Stretching your gas dollars The summer travel season is about to begin. But as gas prices continue to rise, car trips can be a pricy choice for consumers. Car care, proper pumping, travel planning and sensible driving are the keys to fuel efficiency. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your gas money. BY CHUCK MYERS Knight Kldder/Tribime VACATION TIPS The days of long, leisurely driving vacations may be a thing of the past. With the price of gasoline at or near record highs, families planning a one- or two-week vacation by car must take a more creative and economical approach to the trip — especially when it comes to gas expenses. Here are a few words of advice from AAA on planning a driving vacation. • Consider the vacation destination. The farther you travel, the more gas you'll need. Also think about a vacation spot that requires minimal driving. • Plan ahead. Select routes that allow driving at constant speeds and bypass congested areas. When possible, avoid two-lane roads, which are typically dotted with stop signs and traffic signals. • Explore the rental option. Renting a fuel smart car might provide greater bang for the gas-dollar buck per mile. • Get an early morning start, when traffic ; is at its lightest. • Cut down on luggage weight and pack everything inside the vehicle. A car piled with luggage on the roof creates wind resistance and reduces fuel efficiency. •Before hitting the road, you might take a spin on the information highway to gauge gasoline prices along your route and at the final destination. Here are a few Web sites that provide gasoline prices nationwide: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.fuelgaugeraportcom): Offers an average of national and state-by-state gasoline prices. GasPriceWatch.com (WWW.gwpricewatch.com): Allows users to search gas prices in a specific area. • Split up your modes of transportation. Drive part of the distance, then take a flight or train for the final leg. You may find that you can actually save money by taking an alternative form of travel How to determine your car's fuel consumption:Go to a gas station with pumps that turn off automatically. READ MORE