fuel saving tips for drivers

These simple facts can help you save fuel and get more miles out of each tank of gas:

* Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon.

* Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to 1 mile per gallon.

* Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon.

* Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.

* Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.

* Use your air conditioner only when needed. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miles per gallon under certain speeds and operating conditions.

* Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a couple of minutes.

* Plan your trips in advance. Combine short trips into one to do all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hour if possible, to reduce fuel-consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Consider joining a car pool.

For more information and additional materials, please visit API.org.

THE TRUTH ABOUT OIL AND GASOLINE: AN API PRIMER

America is in a global struggle for energy security and many of us lack a full understanding of the oil and natural gas industry. API has assembled a primer to encourage a constructive public policy debate on meeting the growing energy needs of consumers and industry.

Sections include discussions of global energy demand, price increases, what consumers are paying at the pump, earnings, refinery expansions, the environment and energy security. A full listing of topics included in the primer is included below.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Future Global Energy Demand
The Myth of “Big Oil”
2006 Largest Oil and Gas Companies
Diesel, Gasoline and Crude Prices
Average Price Increases
Key Factors Affecting Markets
World Oil Consumption
OPEC Surplus Production Capacity
EIA Price Forecast
Commodity Performance
WTI in Dollars and Euros/Yen
What Consumers Are Paying
Earnings of DJIA Companies
Earnings by Industry
Who Owns the Oil Companies?
Stock Repurchases

Income Taxes Paid
Taxes Paid by Oil Vs. Manufacturing Companies
Capital Spending: Where Funds Go
New Investments Increasing
Refinery Capacity Expands
Projected Refining Capacity
Environmental Expenditures
U.S. Crude Oil Resources
U.S. Natural Gas Resources
Energy Efficiency
Future U.S. Energy Demand
Ethanol in Brazil
U.S. Corn Use
Technology Investments
Emerging Energy Investments
Ensuring Our Energy Security

For more information and additional materials, please visit API.org.

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