Friday, June 16, 2006


Dear Friends,

Do you know that nearly two-thirds of the energy from your vehicle’s gasoline is lost?

Pumping air into and out of the engine, and simple friction, air conditioning, power steering, windshield wipers and other accessories use up about 62 percent of the energy generated from your vehicle’s engine.

Given that reality, it makes sense to get all the value you can out of the remaining fuel energy.

Advanced engine technologies, such as variable valve timing, turbo-charging, direct fuel injection and other improvements can reduce the loss of energy. Hybrid vehicles capture some of the lost energy by using the friction from braking to recharge their battery systems.

These considerations are useful if you’re shopping for a new car, but there are ways to get the most out of the vehicle that you’re currently driving.

Here are some maintenance tips for better gas mileage:

1) Keep your car properly maintained. Following manufacturer recommendations for engine, cooling, ignition system, brakes, drive train and emission control systems will reduce fuel consumption.

2) Check and replace air filters regularly. This can improve mileage by as much as 10 percent.

3) Maintain properly adjusted brakes. Dragging brakes increases resistance.

4) Keep tires properly inflated. This will improve mileage by about 3.3 percent. We’ve all seen “Arizona alligators,” those black strips of shredded rubber that litter our roads. Many of them are the result of improperly inflated tires that overheat, causing blowouts or tread separation.

5) Check wheel alignment. Inspect chassis parts and suspension. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high speeds.

6) Use the recommended grade of motor oil to maximize fuel economy. Look for the “Energy Conserving” label that indicates that the motor oil contains “friction reducing” additives.

7) Don’t use High Octane Premium gasoline unless your car’s manufacturer specifically recommends it. In most cases, a higher octane will not improve performance or reduce fuel consumption. It will just cost more at the pump.

8) Keep your gasoline cap tight. A loose gas cap can allow fuel in your tank to evaporate.

9) Avoid prolonged engine warm-up. Thirty to 45 seconds is plenty.

10) Check Out Claims About “Gas-Saving” Devices. Do your homework before purchasing a device that claims it will “increase your gas mileage” or “improve your fuel economy.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested more than 100 of these devices. Those that work offer minimal savings. For more information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer.htm.

I also encourage you to visit my Web page devoted to providing gasoline information at www.azgovernor.gov/fuelfacts. This site includes my Weekly Fuel Facts along with links to other helpful sites for gasoline information. Please check the site often throughout the summer as we add fuel saving tips.

Yours very truly,

Janet Napolitano
Governor