Before setting out

- Check your tires

Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

- Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual

Replace filters and fluids as recommended, and have engine performance problems (e.g., rough idling, poor acceleration) corrected at a repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it's wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.


On your trip

- Break the speeding habit

Speeding to your destination can decrease your miles per gallon by 15 percent or more.

- Sudden accelerations guzzle gas, too

Anticipate traffic patterns ahead, and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control where feasible.

- Use windows and air conditioning wisely

Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on -; assuming that the system is in good working order. But try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic.


When you get back

- Make sure you remove all vacation items and clutter right away to reduce the weight your vehicle's engine must push.

- And take off that rooftop cargo carrier. Like closed windows, this will reduce air drag and increase your mileage.

ASE was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians.

ASE-certified technicians wear blue-and-white shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area or areas of certification. Their employers often display the blue-and-white ASE sign.

Visit www.ase.com for more car care tips.