Drive Less! Use Transit, Bicycle and Walk, and Reduce Travel.

Avoid short trips. With multiple stops, go to your farthest destination first to warm up your engine more quickly for better fuel economy. Follow the lead of an increasing number of Massachusetts citizens and take the subway, commuter rail, bus, carpools and vanpools (see MassRIDES, at www.commute.com). Join employer-sponsored transportation programs to save money and to network with colleagues. Use passenger ferries; bicycle and walk. Arrange for telecommuting and live closer to work when feasible.

Drive the Posted Speed Limit or the Minimum Allowed

Vehicle fuel consumption increases about 5% for every 5 miles per hour (mph) driven above 60 mph. Overall savings in fuel costs from slower driving can range from 7% to 23%.

Avoid Rapid Starts & Stops and Maintain a Constant Speed

Jack rabbit starts and hard stops can increase fuel use by up to 40% but reduce travel time by only 4%. Accelerate gradually. Coast up to stops where not prohibited. Conserve momentum; a steady speed often helps avoid red lights and keeps cars moving more efficiently. Drive sensibly; you can save 5% to 33% in city driving costs. The MassPike FAST LANE transponder will let you sail through road, tunnel, and bridge toll plazas in 12 Eastern states. HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes save time and fuel. Drive I-93 HOV lanes north and south of downtown Boston with two or more people in your vehicle.

Avoid Idling

Idling gets ZERO mpg. Do not idle or race your engine to warm up the engine; it will warm up more quickly when you are driving. If you need to idle, shift to neutral, so the engine is not working against your brake and consuming more fuel.

Lighten Your Load

Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle. Every extra 100 pounds in or on the vehicle could reduce your mpg by up to 2%. Remove unused roof, ski, and bike racks, and try not to carry items on your roof or on a trailer; they increase aerodynamic drag and fuel use.

Keep Your Cool; Its a Breeze

Roll down windows and use the flow through air vents when first getting into a hot car and generally when driving under 40 mph. Above 40 mph, air conditioning is more fuel efficient than open windows; use the recycle inside air feature, that reuses the cooled air inside the car and so doesnt take as much gas to run. Try to park in the shade or use a window heat reflector.

Use the Highest Gear Possible

Using the highest gear, or Overdrive, on highways if your car has this feature. This practice requires less power while reducing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and engine wear.

Respect Merging Traffic; Don't Block Intersections

Let vehicles make left turns out of parking lots and side roads and driveways. When in a stopped line of vehicles, leave space for passage to and from side streets, and don't get caught in the middle of an intersection when the traffic light turns red.