1. Warming up your vehicle in the driveway wastes gas. Drive slowly for the first few block instead, to bring your engine to optimal driving temperature. 2. Smooth, gradual acceleration increases fuel mileage; rapid starts waste gas. Try to maintain a steady rate of speed and take advantage of timed traffic lights. 3. Watch your speed. For every mile per hour over 50, mileage decreases roughly one percent. When traveling at a steady speed, most vehicles get their best fuel economy between 35 and 45 mph. 4. Proper tire inflation and wheel alignment decrease road resistance and increase mileage. Check tire pressure monthly and rotate tires using your vehicles’ specific maintenance schedule.

5. A well-maintained vehicle will run properly and use fuel more efficiently. 6. Use your air conditioning wisely. With the air on, your engine uses more fuel. 7. Drive less by planning ahead. Try to do all your errands in one trip and plan the most efficient route. 8. Don't vent your anger behind the wheel. Aggressive acceleration wastes gas and can be dangerous as well. 9. When you see a red light or stop sign ahead, take your foot off the accelerator and let you vehicle coast in gear. This lets momentum get you to the intersection. 10. Shift properly. If you have a manual transmission, shifting into high gear as soon as possible without straining the engine, reduces drag and uses less fuel.

You wouldn't head out into cold weather without bundling up. Your vehicle faces similar challenges as temperatures drop. The bottom line: it needs a little extra care as the mercury plummets. But a little preparation before winter sets in may prevent major headaches later. Cold weather affects battery efficiency. Most cold-weather break-downs occur because batteries aren't delivering full cranking power. Also check to make sure battery cables are corrosion-free. Put on snow tires if you travel in major snow fall areas. Check your owner's manual for details and recommended practices.

In severe winter temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check you owner's manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle's engine. Check your wiper blades. Cold temperatures can make blades brittle, and ice on the windshield can cause nicks in the blades, decreasing performance. If you're planning a trip, take a blanket, extra-warm clothing, a collapsible shovel, a bag of road salt and an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid. Make sure you have a heavy-duty ice scraper and scow brush in your vehicle. A whiskbroom also makes an excellent scow brush. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check tire pressure often. See your owner's manual for directions and details.

The air inside your vehicle's tires supports its weight, not the tires themselves. To get maximum performance and durability from your tires, monitoring and maintaining correct air pressure is crucial. Underinflation is the biggest cause of tire failure. Air is a gas, expanding when heating and contracting as it cools. So for most of Utah, fall and early winter are especially important times for checking tire pressure—as the ambient temperature falls, tire pressure goes down. A good rule of thumb is that for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature change, tire pressure changes about 1 psi—higher as temperatures rise, lower as they fall. Here’s the bottom line: a tire that’s not properly inflated can cause an accident. Underinflated tires can also cause: • Quicker wear • Bad handling • Lower fuel mileage

Overinflated tires can cause: • Rough ride • Bad handling • Rapid wear at the tire’s center Checking Air Pressure Check your vehicle’s tires at least once a month, when the tires are cold. Use a good quality gauge. Don’t “eyeball check” tires—radial tires can look fine even when they’re underinflated. Be sure to look for stones, glass or other objects that have become wedged in the tread—they can work themselves further into the tire and cause air loss. And don’t forget to check the spare!