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| Preparing for a Day on the Track |
| The History of Shell and NASCAR |
| SEMA 2006 |
| Get the Most Out of Every Gasoline Purchase |
| Update: Panamerican 20,000 Reaches Final Destination in NY |
| Ready to Drive |
| Winter 2006 Events Calendar |
| Test Your Driving Skills |
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With the rising cost of owning a vehicle, drivers looking to get the most out of every gasoline purchase can get helpful hints from Shell “FuelStretch,” a program designed to help drivers save money. Below are some of the money-saving driving techniques and car care tips from “FuelStretch” for saving at the pump:
1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent. 2. Replace dirty or clogged air filters. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter with a clean one can improve gasoline mileage by as much as 10 percent. 3. Keep your engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately. If your car has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by four percent on average. 4. Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure and not over or under inflated. Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. 5. Minimize vehicle drag. Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items to help improve your gas mileage. 6. Always use the recommended grade of oil in your engine. Following your manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage one to two percent. Look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to ensure it contains friction-reducing additives. 7. Choose a high-quality gasoline. BMW, GM, Honda, and Toyota believe fuel quality has declined in the US and as a result they introduced the voluntary TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Standard to try to raise the bar. According to these automakers, carbon deposits that build up on critical engine parts can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle and increase emissions. All Shell fuels in the U.S. help keep vehicle engines clean, exceed government standards for fuel detergency and meet TOP TIER detergent highest standards. 8. Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic. Maintaining a constant speed can speed can improve gasoline mileage. 9. Avoid idling. When you idle, you get 0 miles per gallon. 10. Avoid higher speeds. Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving at speeds over 60 mph. 11. Plan your outings to avoid separate trips. Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips. This helps avoid unnecessary cold starts and keeps your car’s engine running warm and more efficiently. . 12. Pay with a rebate credit card. With a 5 percent rebate on Shell gasoline purchases and a 1 percent rebate on all other purchases, the Shell Platinum MasterCard® from Citi® Cards** is one of the best rebate cards of its kind in the retail gasoline industry. Every time a Shell MasterCard is used, cardholders earn Shell gasoline rebates, which are credited to their account every month. Based on the national average of ***$2.91 per gallon for regular grade gasoline, a cardholder would earn 14 cents per gallon back on their gasoline purchase. For more information, or to apply, click here. *Some tips sourced at www.fueleconomy.gov ** Subject to credit approval. Rebates on Shell gasoline are calculated on total Shell gasoline purchase, not price per gallon. All rebates are automatically credited on your statement against future Shell gasoline purchases made with your card. See the Shell Platinum MasterCard Rebate Program Terms and Conditions with application. ***Source: Weekly average as of April 24, 2006, for U.S. retail regular grade gasoline prices (including taxes), as reported at www.eia.doe.gov/ To put your fuel economy driving to the test, visit www.shell.com/us/fuelstretch. NEXT STORY >> |