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(NAPSI)-Just one year ago, who would have imagined paying near or above $3-a-gallon for gasoline in America? Or Web sites dedicated to finding the lowest local cost for gasoline? Or contest prizes offering a tank or two of free gas?
But paying $50 or more to fill the tank of most vehicles on the road has become an expensive necessity for most Americans.
Robert Hall, a 20-year UPS Automotive veteran, has spent a lot of time looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption. With a fleet of 88,000 vehicles on the road each day, drivers can learn a thing or two from UPS's fuel conservation practices.
"Fuel conservation has been a priority at UPS since our founding nearly 100 years ago. We find that even the smallest changes to daily driving habits can make a difference," says Hall. "What we do for a large fleet can be easily adapted for any driver."
To help drivers improve their vehicle's performance, resulting in greater fuel mileage, Hall offers some simple tips. Together, these tips can add up to a noticeable difference in everyday fuel savings:
1. Plan your route. When running errands, consider the best way to get to the locations without backtracking. When taking a long trip, use maps or Internet sites to determine the quickest and most direct route. Another point to consider when planning your route is to avoid left turns and rush-hour traffic. Waiting to turn left and sitting in a traffic jam wastes gas.
2. Schedule regular car maintenance. Maintaining your car can affect its gas mileage. Just making sure that the tires are properly inflated can save on fuel economy.
3. Drive responsibly. Driving style can affect the gas mileage of your vehicle. Making a fast start from a stoplight or driving over the speed limit can reduce fuel economy. UPS practices safe driving and a "no idling" policy-no matter how short a stop a UPS driver makes, the engine is turned off.
4. Reduce the weight in the vehicle. Unnecessary items in the trunk can contribute to lower gas mileage. Eliminate anything you don't need.
5. Use the car with the best gas mileage. If you have more than one car, use the one that gets the best gas mileage when making long trips. UPS tries to match its vehicle to the needs of its routes. In some cases, that means deliveries are made by bicycle, particularly if the streets are too congested to pass through easily.