Got Gas? Prove It by Saving It!

Gasoline — we all buy it, but do you know how to save it? Take this quiz to see how “up to speed” you are on gas-saving driving techniques.

TRUE OR FALSE

Q – Do properly inflated tires improve gas mileage?

*A – True: when tires are not properly inflated, fuel costs can be as much as three to five cents higher per gallon. Tire pressure should be checked at least monthly, including the spare.  *

Q – Aggressive driving and jackrabbit starts do not affect fuel economy.

*A – False: aggressive driving and rapid acceleration can reduce gas mileage as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets. When a vehicle is left idling, it wastes gas and gets zero mpg.  *

Q – Speeding has little effect on gas mileage.

*A – False: in speeds above 60 mph, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly. For maximum fuel economy, stay below 60 mph.  *

Q – It’s no big deal if the gas cap gets lost or cracked.

*A – False: approximately 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.   *

Q – Extra weight in the car causes an increase in gas usage.

*A – True: items that are not needed weigh down the vehicle, causing an increase in gas usage and unnecessary wear and tear on the car. Get the stuff out of the car and trunk but remember to keep important emergency items, such as a spare tire, flares and a first-aid kit.  *

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to have your vehicle’s oil changed on a regular basis along with the air cleaner – doing so can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.