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Avoid idling. Cars with larger
engines typically waste even more gas at idling than
cars with smaller engines.
Combine your errands into one trip and plan your
routes carefully to drive fewer miles and use less fuel
— and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle. Several
short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as
much fuel as a longer, multipurpose trip covering the
same distance when the engine is warm.
Other Gasoline-, Money-Saving Options
If you own more than one
vehicle, drive the one that gets better gas mileage
when possible. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, you
can save $645 a year by driving a car that gets 30 mpg
rather than 20 mpg. That's $2,600 extra in fuel costs
in just four years!
Carpool or ride-share. Some urban areas allow vehicles
with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle
(HOV) lanes.
Use public transportation.
Check the American Public Transportation Association's
website
for local public transit info.
If your employer permits, consider telecommuting
or staggering your work hours to avoid sitting in traffic
and wasting gas during peak rush hours.
Protect your health and your pocketbook by walking
or biking to your destination whenever possible.
Buying, Renting, or Leasing a Car
Federal income tax credits of $250 to $3,400 are
available in 2006 and 2007 to purchasers of hybrid-electric
or diesel vehicles, based on the vehicle's efficiency
and fuel savings. Tax credits are dollars deducted from
taxes owed. After each auto manufacturer has sold 60,000
hybrids, the credit begins to phase out — so it pays
to put your order in sooner rather than later. Click
here for details, and check out local excise tax
reductions and other benefits for hybrid purchasers,
too.
When buying or leasing a
new vehicle, think high gas mileage. Check out the DOE
website for information on fuel-efficiency.
When renting, ask for
a model that gets better fuel economy.
(Source:
DOE)
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