Guzzle Savings, not Gasoline
How to improve air quality while using less fuel
Remember how we used to complain that a gallon of milk cost
more than a gallon of gasoline? Now, gasoline may forever cost
the same as, if not more than, a gallon of milk! The problem is,
while few households drink 15 or 20 gallons of milk a month,
our cars may drink that much gasoline each week.
Are you interested in spending less on the soaring costs of
gasoline, and keeping more of that money in your pocket? If so,
read on for some basic tips to help get the most out of your
gasoline, while reducing your overall dependency on gasoline
consumption.
The Bottom Line: Your Wallet and the Air You Breathe
Reducing fuel consumption helps the environment in many ways. Each step in the fuel production and
distribution chain — drilling, refining, transporting and filling up — can result in environmental pollution. Any
time your motor is running, the fuel consumption causes emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
pollutants. This can cause high ozone and haze in the summer, while carbon monoxide and tiny particles form
in the air all year long – none of which is good for breathing.
Here’s the good news! When you save on fuel consumption, you also help keep the air clean. So while
you’re helping yourself save money, you will also help yourself breathe a little easier!
$ The Price of Driving $
When you consider fuel costs, wear on your car (such as tires and brakes), and normal maintenance costs
(such as oil changes) – driving your own car costs about 50 cents per mile. This means if you drive 20miles round trip for work, your daily commute would cost $10.00 – not including parking!
“Savings” Example
Let’s say you find a deal on laundry detergent at a big box store for $8.99
(the normal price is $11.99). The big box store is 5 miles from your home.
While a $3.00 “savings” seems appealing, you need to consider that it will
cost an extra $2.50 for the 5 miles you’ll drive to the big box store. In the
end, your $8.99 detergent will cost you $11.49 – only 50 cents cheaper than
the “regular” price! Sometimes it pays to go to the store around the corner
and buy the detergent at regular price.
Tip! When driving further to save a little money on something you can buy
nearby, remember to subtract 50 cents for each additional mile you drive
from your “savings.”
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The Charlotte Department of Transportation http://cdot.charmeck.org
Guzzle Savings, not Gasoline
How to improve air quality while using less fuel
Navigating the Fuel Problem
• Let your fingers do the walking – If you don’t know what
you want to buy or where to buy it for the best price, call
stores first or shop on-line before going to get it in person.
Or, have it delivered!
• Mail it in – Mail your bills instead of paying them in person.
A stamp costs less than driving your car one mile! Better
yet, save a stamp and pay your bills on-line.
• Carpool – If you know someone who’s going to the same
place at the same time, use the same car!
• Walk or Bike – When possible, walk or bike to your
destination. Get healthy while saving on fuel.
• Public Transit – Use public transit as often as possible to save on fuel and parking costs.
• Park ‘N’ Ride – Drive to a local Park ‘N’ Ride and take public transit the rest of the way into work. Visit
www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS for public transit and Park ‘N’ Ride information.
When You Must Drive
• Avoid high speeds. Every 5 mph you drive over 55 is like paying an additional
10 cents per gallon for gas, and it doesn’t get you there much quicker. A 30minute trip at 70 mph gets you to your destination only 8 minutes faster than if
you drove 55 mph.
• Drive during off-peak hours. You’ll save time and avoid excessive stop-start
driving.
• Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires decrease gas mileage and
shorten tire life.
o Check the label on the inside edge of the driver's door that lists
recommended tire pressures for different speeds and loads (available
on newer cars). If you can’t find the label, consult your owner's manual
or check with a tire dealer.
o Check and adjust pressure when the tire is cold.
• Drive smoothly; avoid sudden stops and starts. To save on gas, lower emissions and reduce tire wear,
accelerate slowly to avoid "jack-rabbit" starts and sudden stops. Use cruise control when appropriate.
• Consolidate trips. Vehicle emissions and fuel consumption increase with the number of miles driven and the
number of trips taken. Vehicles burn more gas and emit more pollutants in the first few minutes of operation
because the emission control systems have not warmed up and reached peak efficiency.
• Minimize drag and improve fuel economy. You use more fuel when driving at high speeds with the windows
open – so turn on the air conditioning! When transporting large items, use removable racks or carry the items
inside the vehicle. Remove excess items you don’t need, as heavy loads increase drag. Keep the car body clean
to reduce drag by up to 12%!
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The Charlotte Department of Transportation http://cdot.charmeck.org
Guzzle Savings, not Gasoline
How to improve air quality while using less fuel
When You’re Sittin’ – You’re Emittin’
Don’t pay for fuel you never use! Instead:
• Drive to, don’t drive-thru. If the line at the drive thru is more than two
cars long, park and go inside to prevent idling.
• Don’t be idle. An idling car gets zero miles per gallon. Don't start your
car until you’re ready to go. Even in the wintertime, your car will warm
up two or three minutes after driving.
• Don't rev it up! Revving the engine wastes gas, may dump gas on the
cylinder walls and can overheat the catalytic converter – all of which
increases engine wear and can cost you money.
• Don’t cook your car. Avoid parking in direct sunlight, as this can cause
fuel to simply evaporate. Park in the shade! Another benefit: your air
conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard.
Save at the Pump
• Don't overfill the gas tank. When refueling, stop when the
pump automatically shuts off to avoid releasing harmful
gasoline vapors into the air.
• Replace the gas cap tightly. The gas cap prevents
polluting gasoline vapors from escaping into the air. Use a
properly fitted cap to prevent damage to your fuel tank and
keep water out of your fuel.
• Select the proper fuel. Most vehicles today do not require
high-octane fuel (which costs 10-20 cents more per gallon).
Do not use a higher-octane gasoline than your vehicle's
engine needs!
• Try to refuel after dark during warm weather. This reduces vapors from reacting with sunlight and becoming
ground-level ozone. And, more of the gasoline you pay for stays in the tank!
Got Questions?
If you have questions about the ideas and tips in this document, or
about CDOT’s commitment to air quality, please contact our Air
Quality Specialist, Eldewins Haynes, at 704.336.7621 or by e-mail
at ehaynes@ci.charlotte.nc.us. We’re always happy to help.
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The Charlotte Department of Transportation http://cdot.charmeck.org