CHECK YOUR DRIVING HABITS  SMART DRIVING TO PROTECT YOU,  YOUR WALLET, AND THE PLANET*  Safe driving does more than protect you: it saves you money and reduces air  pollution. Operating a car involves many expenses, including gas, maintenance, and  tires. Drivers and car owners can take a number of steps to minimize these expenses  at no additional cost.  DRIVING HABITS TO ADOPT  1. Slow down. Fuel consumption increases about 5% for every five miles per hour driven above 60 mph. If you traveled a 20-mile highway commute at 60 mph instead of 70 mph, you would save approximately 1.3 gallons of gas each five- day work week. 2. Ease up on the pedals. Rapid starts and hard stops can increase fuel usage by 40% but reduce travel time by only 4%. The Environmental Protection Agency predicts that gentle acceleration and braking can save more than $1 per gallon. To avoid unnecessary stress on the acceleration and gas pedals: a. Accelerate gradually and avoid jackrabbit starts. b. Anticipate your stops; when approaching a red light, let your foot off the gas pedal as early as possible. c. Maintain a constant speed and coast when you can. d. Make sure you have an E-Z Pass to save time and fuel. 3. Drive Cool. In the summer, avoid driving during the hottest parts of the day. Cooler, denser air can boost power and mileage. 4. Stay Cool. Use your car's air conditioner when driving more than 40 mph. Today's air conditioners create less drag on the engine than driving with the windows open. 5. But Drive to Warm Up. Even on the coldest days, it only takes 30 seconds to get your vehicle ready to drive. Today's engines are designed to run most efficiently when warmed up, so warm up the vehicle by driving it. 6. Keep Cruising. Get a 7% average fuel savings by using cruise control while driving on flat highways. Using cruise control for 10,000 miles could save more than 60 gallons of fuel. 7. Follow the Light. When your vehicle's onboard diagnostics (OBD) light turns on, it is possible that fuel economy is decreasing, and emissions are increasing. If the OBD light comes on, talk with your auto dealer for more information.