Get the Most Out of Every Gallon

Before you hit the road this summer, here are a few simple adjustments you can make to help you get better gas mileage:

Don’t let your vehicle idle – Waiting for a friend or getting curbside pickup? It may be hard to do as you wait in your car with the hot summer sun beating directly on your vehicle, but don’t idle. In hot weather, park in a shaded area or use a windshield screen to lessen the heat buildup inside the car. This reduces the need for air conditioning (and thus fuel) to cool the car down.

Slow down – Traveling at 60 mph instead of 70 mph on your 20-mile highway commute will save you about 1.3 gallons of gas in a five-day work week.

Break less and coast more - Be alert for slowdowns and red lights ahead of you, and when possible, decrease speed by coasting rather than breaking. Using your cruise control to help you maintain a constant speed can help you save fuel, but do not use cruise control on slippery roads because this can result in you losing control of your vehicle.

Lighten the load – Heavier vehicles use more gas. Clean out those unnecessary heavy items in the passenger compartment, trunk or cargo areas for a lighter load.

Check your tire pressure – Keep your tires properly inflated. You can find the tire pressure levels recommended for your vehicle in the owner’s manual or on a sticker typically located on the driver’s side door jamb.

Check the air and fuel filters at least twice a year – Dirty filters increase fuel consumption and can cause poor performance overall.

How can AAA save you money at the pump? Check out daily updates of national, state and local gasoline prices at GasPrices.AAA.com. Download the free AAA Mobile App to help you find the cheapest gas station that’s near your location. Use your AAA card to save at least 5¢ per gallon of gas at participating Shell stations. Go to AAA.com/Shell for more details.