FIGHT HIGHER PRICES AT THE PUMP WITH FUEL-SAVING TIPS FROM A

NEWS from AAA Oklahoma, Dec. 13 – In the wake of today’s higher gasoline prices, AAA encourages motorists to do all they can to stretch their fuel doll

At $2.81 per gallon for self-serve regular gasoline, today’s Oklahoma average retail pump price is 14 cents higher than it was two weeks ago. AAA’s updated-daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.FuelGaugeReport.com) also shows today’s national average price for gas is $2.98 per gallon, the highest it’s been since Oct. 18, 2008.

Using AAA’s ten best fuel conservation tips, motorists can save money, enhance air quality and improve their safety on the road.

• Check tire pressures regularly. Under-inflated tires are a safety hazard and can cut fuel economy by as much as two percent per pound of pressure that they’re below recommended levels.
• Replace worn spark plugs. Bad plugs can dramatically lower your miles per gallon.
• Check your vehicle’s air filter. Clogged filters can cause up to a ten percent jump in fuel consumption.
• Take unnecessary weight out of trunks, pickup beds and backseats. Hauling around an extra 100 pounds can cost you one mile per gallon.
• Take advantage of car pools and mass transit.
• Plan your driving to combine errands, avoid rush hours and while on vacation, route yourself to bypass construction zones and big-city congestion. Make motel reservations before leaving home.

• Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gas you use. If your average commute includes 20 miles of highway time and you drive it at 60 mph instead of 70 mph, you’ll save about 1.3 gallons of fuel over a five-day work week.
• Avoid quick stops and starts and don’t drive aggressively. This alone can save you up to two miles per gallon.
• Take advantage of your vehicle’s cruise control feature to help you maintain a constant speed when traveling on highways.
• Don’t use premium or mid-grade fuel if your car doesn’t specifically require it. Check your owner’s manual to be sure.

Go to AAA.com and click on Fuel News & Tools in the AAA News &

Safety section for access to AAA’s helpful, free online tools:

• Fuel Price Finder – for station-by-station prices
• Fuel Cost Calculator – for figuring your total fuel bill for your specific trip based on current gasoline prices and your make, model and year vehicle
• AAA’s downloadable brochure, Your Driving Costs, which outlines total vehicle ownership and operating expenses.
• AAA’s downloadable brochure, Gas Watcher’s Guide, which contains even more useful advice on how to get the most out of every tank of fuel.

One final tip: Be skeptical of claims for gas-saving gadgets that promise to improve your mileage. AAA has yet to find one that works. Some may actually harm your car’s performance.