April 2019

 Insurance for your Hybrid Car

Drivers of hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight or Lexus GS450h, are frequently penalised by mainstream insurance companies because the insurers often don't know what to make of the new technologies. They assume that the advanced components will be easily damaged and cost more to fix and so they set the premiums high.
And because many committed supporters of hybrid cars have imported their vehicles from the more mature hybrid vehicle markets in Japan or America, they may not even be able to offer insurance cover at all.
Here at Adrian Flux, though, we take a different approach. We know that people who buy a hybrid car are likely to take special care of it and drive it responsibly. We're also not afraid of Japanese or US imports, because we've offered specialist cover to imported vehicles for many years. Because of this, as well as our generous discounts for committed enthusiasts, security precautions and driving experience, we are able to offer high quality insurance at incredibly low prices.
With over 40 years experience, Adrian Flux has a reputation for designing insurance that matches your needs to your budget. Our specialist vehicles department has a range of specialist schemes designed to cover all types of hybrid, electric and alternative fuel vehicles.
With over 40 years experience of arranging high quality insurance for car lovers we recognise that the one-size-fits-all approach favoured by direct insurers will always leave those drivers with unusual cars paying more than they need to.

Our hybrid car insurance schemes include:

  • Protected NCB available
  • Driving of other cars cover available
  • 90 days European Green Card Cover
  • Agreed value cover available
  • Cover available for
    • All hybrid cars, electric cars and alternative fuel cars, including biodiesel conversions, LPG, bio-ethanol conversions, chip fat conversions, hydrogen fuel cells and other methods
    • Left hand drive and import models are not a problem
    • Modified and adapted cars
Extra Discounts (depending on scheme) for:
  • Limited Mileage
  • Owners Club Membership
  • Security Precautions

Save Money on Hybrid Car Insurance

Because our staff are used to finding a policy to suit unusual and even completely unique cars, they know which insurers offer the best policies and at prices to suit almost any budget. All seasoned insurance experts, they will calculate your premium individually, using their expert knowledge of the many insurance schemes on offer. When you call us you will be speaking to a knowledgeable enthusiast, based in the UK, rather than a computer rate from a foreign call centre, which doesn't know a Prius from a Lexus. Along with our tailor made hybrid and import schemes we believe we offer the best quotation service around.

Here are some reasons why your hybrid car is more expensive to insure.

While hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular, getting auto insurance in Oakland, CA for hybrid vehicles remains higher than average.  But why does this cost disparity between normal and hybrid cars exist?  Here are some of the reasons why it’s more expensive to insure hybrid cars.
  • Hybrids are Expensive
One of the reasons that hybrids are more expensive to insure than normal cars is that they are simply more expensive in the first place.  Because the price of the car does factor into how your insurance premiums are calculated, the more expensive the car, the higher your insurance premiums will be.
  • They Have Fancy Parts
Another reason why hybrids are expensive to insure is because they require special parts that regular cars do not have.  Not only are these parts expensive to replace, but the actual repair price is also very costly as well.  This also contributes to increased insurance rates.
  • They Need Special Mechanics
Because hybrids require fancy parts and have different mechanical components than regular cars, only specially trained mechanics can work on them.  This means that finding a repair shop can be a difficult process.  Because of this need for specialized service, your insurance premiums will be higher.
These are some of the reasons why hybrid cars are more expensive to insure than normal cars.  If you are looking for comprehensive auto insurance at a price that won’t break your budget, turn to us.  For help finding the right policies, contact the professionals at Cook, Disharoon & Greathouse, Inc. Located in Oakland & Pleasant Hill, California, we serve all your personal and commercial insurance needs.


Insurance for your electric car

Thanks to the success of the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 and Tesla, more manufacturers are turning their attention to battery power all the time, helped by the growth in charging points across the country and motorists keen to cut their fuel costs and go green.
  • Protected NCB available.
  • Driving of other cars cover available.
  • 90 days European Green Card Cover.
  • Agreed value cover available.
  • Cover available for
  • All electric cars currently on the market.
  • Left hand drive and import models are not a problem.
  • Modified and adapted cars.
  • Limited Mileage.
  • Owners Club Membership.
  • Security Precautions.

Many insurers remain wary of the new technology in electric cars, often penalising motorists because of fears over the costs of repairs but, as a specialist broker that has been in the electric vehicle insurance market from the beginning, Adrian Flux can offer tailor made cover at a competitive cost.
For example, our great value Nissan Leaf insurance is designed to benefit the motorist who has taken a conscious decision to help the environment and is therefore likely to take care of their car and drive responsibly.
As well as our EV insurance, our specialist vehicle department also has a range of great deals on cover for hybrid cars and those which run on other alternative fuel to petrol or diesel.
Generous discounts are available for committed enthusiasts, security precautions and driving experience, with high quality insurance cover at incredibly low prices for those who drive an environmentally friendly, green vehicle.
At Adrian Flux, We have more than 40 years' experience of arranging insurance for specialist vehicles and our representatives are in touch with the latest news in electric car innovation, ensuring top quality cover for all the new models as they appear on the market.
Our electric car insurance schemes include:
Extra Discounts (depending on scheme) for:
Our staff are used to finding a policy to suit unique and specialist vehicles, and know the insurers that offer the best policies and prices. All seasoned insurance experts, they will calculate your premium individually, using their expert knowledge of the many insurance schemes on offer.
When you call us you will be speaking to one of our knowledgeable representatives, who are based in the UK, rather than a computer in an overseas call centre. Together with our tailor-made hybrid insurance and import insurance, we believe we offer the best quotes for drivers who want to do their bit for the environment.
Quicker & Cheaper electric car insurance rates by phone â€Â” complete the call me formduring office hours (9am to 7pm Monday to Friday & 9am to 4pm Saturday) for an immediate, no-obligation electric car insurance quote.
* On a like for like basis, subject to normal underwriting acceptance.
We offer electric car insurance cover for: BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, Tesla models, Bollore Bluecar, Renault models, Mitsubishi i, Smart Electric Drive, Chevy Spark EV, VW e-Golf, Ford Focus Electric, Fiat 500e, VW e-Up!, Kia Soul EV, Peugeot iOn, Citroen C-Zero, Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric and BYD e6.

auto insurance

Understanding auto insurance—the basics
  • Property – such as damage to or theft of your car
  • Liability – your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage
  • Medical – the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses
Who is covered by my auto insurance—and under what circumstances?Is auto insurance coverage mandatory?
  • Bodily injury liability – which covers costs associated with injuries or death that you or another driver causes while driving your car.
  • Property damage liability – which reimburses others for damage that you or another driver operating your car causes to another vehicle or other property, such as a fence, building or utility pole.
  • Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP), which provides reimbursement for medical expenses for injuries to you or your passengers. It will also cover lost wages and other related expenses.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you when an accident is caused by a driver who does not have auto insurance—or in the case of a hit-and-run. You can also purchase underinsured motorist coverage, which will cover costs when another driver lacks adequate coverage to pay the costs of a serious accident.
What other types of auto insurance coverage are typical?
  • Collision reimburses you for damage to your car that occurs as a result of a collision with another vehicle or other object—e.g., a tree or guardrail—when you’re at fault. While collision coverage will not reimburse you for mechanical failure or normal wear-and-tear on your car, it will cover damage from potholes or from rolling your car.
  • Comprehensive provides coverage against theft and damage caused by an incident other than a collision, such as fire, flood, vandalism, hail, falling rocks or trees and other hazards—even getting hit by an asteroid!
  • Glass Coverage provides coverage from windshield damage, which is common. Some auto policies include no-deductible glass coverage, which also includes side windows, rear windows and glass sunroofs. Or you can buy supplemental glass coverage.
What is gap insurance and do I need it?
Auto insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company that protects you against financial loss in the event of an accident or theft. In exchange for your paying a premium, the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as outlined in your policy.
Auto insurance provides coverage for:
Basic personal auto insurance is mandated by most U.S. states, and laws vary. Auto insurance coverages are priced individually (a la carte) to let you customize coverage amounts to suit your exact needs and budget.
Policies are generally issued for six-month or one-year timeframes and are renewable. The insurance company sends a notice when it’s time to renew the policy and pay your premium.
Your auto policy will cover you and other family members on your policy, whether driving your car or someone else’s car (with their permission). Your policy also provides coverage if someone who is not on your policy is driving your car with your consent.
Your personal auto policy only covers personal driving, whether you’re commuting to work, running errands or taking a trip. It will not provide coverage if you use your car for commercial purposes—for instance, if you deliver pizzas.
Personal auto insurance will also not provide coverage if you use your car to provide transportation to others through a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Some auto insurers, however, are now offering supplemental insurance products (at additional cost) that extend coverage for vehicle owners providing ride-sharing services.
Auto insurance requirements vary from state to state. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have its own requirements. Nearly every state requires car owners to carry:
In addition, many states require that you carry:
Even if PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are optional in your state, consider adding them to your policy for greater financial protection.
While most basic, legally mandated auto insurance covers the damage your car causes, it does notcover damage to your own car. To cover your own car, you should consider these optional coverages:
Collision and comprehensive only cover the market value of your car, not what you paid for it—and new cars depreciate quickly. If your car is totaled or stolen, there may be a “gap” between what you owe on the vehicle and your insurance coverage. To cover this, you may want to look into purchasing gap insurance to pay the difference. Note that for leased vehicles, gap coverage is usually rolled into your lease payments.
Next steps: Check out this handy infographic on the types of required and optional drivers insurance coverages.




Tips to Reduce Car Pollution Level during Smog Season


The rising pollution levels are making the future bleak, the time may soon come with all of us walking with our own personal supply of oxygen. So let’s take steps to reduce car pollution and get rid of the deadly smog. Read on to know more.

Day by day increase in the number of cars plying and polluting the Indian roads has become a major reason for the hazardous smog. This has put major cities like Delhi and Mumbai on a red alert. The situation has reached a very critical stage in the capital. The toxic smog has even forced the government to take up emergency actions like closing schools, bringing back the odd-even rule and even banning the entry of truck into the capital.
Relying on such temporary measures definitely won’t help. It may show some results for the time being. But, it won’t bring the pollution down caused to the environment by our cars on a daily basis. So, it is high time we take some drastic measures to cure this nuisance while we still have a chance.
Follow these tips to reduce the pollution that your vehicle produces. This will certainly help to control the growing smog, if we all come together and take the below measures:
  • Warm up your car, since it tends to take more time to start in early winter mornings. This starting time can also be longer if the vehicle is a couple of years old or the fuel type is diesel. So, just make sure to start a few minutes early for your destination and warm up the car for a few minutes before you leave. This helps in reducing the fuel consumption.
  • Keep the tyres inflated properly with the correct pressure in relation to the tyre, make and model of your car. This simple step will help to run your car smoothly and save the precious fuel.
  • Turn off the air conditioning system whenever you can, especially at the red lights. Whenever we switch on the air conditioning of the car, we indirectly put extra load on the engine of the car causing it to burn more fuel. If you are driving on the highway and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant, we can definitely turn off the AC, bring down the windows and save some precious fuel and produce lesser exhaust.
  • Regular servicing and tune-up of your precious car on the on-set of every season increases the life span of your beloved car. Besides, it also reduces the pollutants emitted and keeps your car healthier and greener. You should regularly change the oil, check the oil and air filters, and tune the engine to its best. This results in increased efficiency and fuel saving.
  • Fill up your fuel tank always from a reputed and known fuelling station, this will help in getting un-adulterated and good quality fuel. Good fuel keeps your car’s engine health in peak condition and keeps pollutants well within the prescribed limits.
  • Keeping your car fuel efficient saves you good money. It also keeps the environment clean. This method also helps to keep your car lighter. Remove any extra or unwanted things from your car to make it lighter. You can also look at keeping the fuel tank filed only up to 60% if you drive in the city only. A relatively lighter fuel tank will lower the weight of the car, burn less fuel during climbing a flyover or pickups.
  • Use strict pedal control. Having an efficient acceleration technique can save you up to 10% fuel. When you constantly floor the accelerator to rush past other vehicles and then brake again, you are damaging your car’s engine and the environment at the same time. Therefore, drive properly and at correct speeds.
  • Give your vehicle a proper pollution check at regular intervals of say 3 months. Regular pollution check may help in finding out any problems that might exist or occur in future.
  • You may also use any public transport for few days to rest your vehicle. . Even bringing down the number of cars running on the road considerably can help big time in reducing the pollution. As the public transport system like trains, metros, etc. run on electricity, it helps in bringing down the pollutants being released in the air.
  • If you are not comfortable using the public transport system or your destinations are not connected by the public transport system you can try carpooling. Reducing even a handful of cars on the road on a regular basis can add up into a big advantage for the environment.
In the current scenario and looking at the conditions of the major cities, the air quality has degraded to smoking around 50 to 60 cigarettes per day. Under such conditions, the most important, logical and primary thing to be done is restoring the green lungs of the city. We must undertake a massive plantation drive to bring back fresh air which can counter the effects pollution is having on our atmosphere.



Five Myths about insurance
No one likes to buy auto insurance. It’s complicated. It’s expensive. And who understands how the premiums are determined? Maybe that’s why there is so much misinformation about insurance coverage and pricing.
The non-profit Insurance Information Institute helped me tackle five common auto insurance myths:
Myth 1:  Red cars cost more to insure 
If you believe the owners of red cars drive more aggressively and get more speeding tickets, this would make sense. But there’s no data to back this up.
Life insurance goes up with age, but not necessarily auto insurance. In fact, it’s often just the opposite.
It doesn’t work that way. Liability insurance (required in some state) covers you if you hurt someone or damage their property. Comprehensive and collision coverage protect your vehicle. That is why this is always optional coverage. Note: It may be required by the lender if you have a lease or car loan.
In fact, it’s just the opposite. Members of the military (no matter what branch) qualify for a discount on their auto insurance. In most cases, you’ll need to document your rank and how long you’ll be serving.
Personal auto insurance does not protect you if you are self-employed and using your vehicle for business purposes.


“Frankly, it doesn't matter whether the car is red or green or purple," said Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute.
Insurers are not concerned about color and neither is law enforcement.
“We look at behavior, not appearance,” said Bob Calkins, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol. “We don’t profile people, and we don’t profile cars.”
Insurance companies do care about the type of vehicle you drive, including the make, model, sticker price, engine size and year. Is it popular with thieves? Is it more costly to repair? Does it have a good safety record?
There does appear to be correlation between vehicle model and the likelihood of a traffic ticket. A recent study by Quality Planning (a San Francisco-based analytics company that works with auto insurers) found that drivers of flashy cars are often more aggressive and therefore a greater risk.
Based on this study, drivers of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class convertible are four times more likely to be cited for a moving violation than the average driver. Quality Planning’s list of Top Ten “Spirited Vehicles” includes Toyota’s Camry Solara Coupe, Scion’s TC Coupe and the Hummer H2/H3 SUV.
Other factors that go into determining your premium: how many miles you drive each year, when you drive, where you drive and if you’ve had any previous accidents. These days your credit history is also considered. Insurance companies say their data show people with a good credit history are less likely to file a claim.
Myth 2:  Older drivers pay more for car insurance 
Many drivers who are 55 or older can get their rates reduced — by up to 10 percent for three years — if they successfully complete an accident prevention course.
“Insurance companies look at these mature driving courses and find them to be a good thing,” Loretta Worters told me. “It helps refresh an older driver and keeps them sharp and keeps them safer on the road.”
Check with your insurance agent to find defensive driving courses that are approved by your insurer. If you are retired or no longer working full time, see if you qualify for a discount based on driving less.
Myth 3:  Your insurance policy covers any damage to your car  
If you want to fully protect your vehicle for all types of damage, you need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage. But many people with older cars sometimes drop these coverages in order to save money.
“If the vehicle is worth less than a thousand dollars or less than 10 times the insurance premium, purchasing this optional coverage may not be cost effective,” Worters said.
Myth 4: Soldiers pay more for insurance 
“Many insurers also provide discounts for former members of the military and their families,” Worters said. “So it’s a good thing for military families to look into.”
Myth 5: Your policy covers you if you drive the car for business 
A lot of young people who take pizza delivery jobs don’t know this, for example, so if you’re not an employee of the pizza restaurant, you’re not covered by the company’s insurance policy. If you have an accident while making a delivery and you’re on your own. Your personal insurance will most likely deny any claims.









Introduction:

The talks on electric cars is everyone. Most of the top auto brands and big car manufacturers worldwide have moved towards adopting innovative technology and producing their own version of electric vehicle. It is easily understood that, it is presently going through the beta or testing period and auto experts are making plans to integrate electric car models into the present auto market paradigm. One of the vital gaps that needs to be addressed seriously in order to make successful electric car usage is the understanding on of the functioning along with usability of electric cars among the car owners, driver sand also auto mechanics. Now let us understand the main factors that are dependent on bringing the age of electric cars and making it a reality in the near future.
Is electric vehicles going to become a reality in the near future? What the benefits of using electric cars over traditional vehicles? Learn about the trends in the automobile industry and the recent urge of going green through driving electric vehicles in the wake of excessive natural and ecological damage.

Understand Electric Vehicles (EVs)

One of the most important things that all the electric car enthusiasts must know before thinking of buying them is understanding the mechanisms that goes into making EVS work. The price of electric car batteries is very high and it costs a lot to replace the batteries.
For that purpose, it is important to maintain the car batteries properly. Moreover, there is huge shortage of electric car charging stations in the country and also worldwide. Thus, it is necessary to build the required kind of infrastructure in order to compel people to buy EVs.

Ecological Imbalance

Another important factor that may are making people move towards the goal for having environment-friendly solutions to their everyday problems. The world is suffering from the looming danger of uncontrolled pollution, deforestation and also use of harmful chemical against the nature.
The recent corner for restoring ecological imbalance have forced car manufactures to control carbon-emission and roll out hybrid and electric vehicles which run partially or completely on electric batteries. The national governments also need to understand the gravity of the problem.

Build Proper Infrastructure

Another important hindrance that have amounted to less growth of the electric cars in the automobile market is less infrastructure required for the growth of this types of vehicles. Many charging stations need to be made in order to service in the ever-increasing number of electric vehicles.
Along with providing charging stations, more and more car manufacturers are also looking for providing car charging stations for the garage of electric car owners. Moreover, having proper knowledge of charging and how the battery works is also important.

Electric Car Costs

There are many new electric cars in the market already. So, the costs are relatively high in the present times and talks are of the price subjected to increase in the coming years. Also, we have discussed in previous articles about the costs of electric cars.
Moreover, in order to buy electric and hybrid vehicles, you also need to have electric car insurance. Most of the top auto insurers who are functioning in the market, have come up with car insurance plans specially for electric vehicles sector.
You May Also Like: Ways to Make your Car more Safer

Driver Less Electric Cars

So, now that we have understood about the electric car market, there is recent talks about bring completely driver less electric cars in the fold. With the advent of technology, we have developed autonomous cars that drive with any human interference.
Moreover, it  needs to be noticed that the driver less cars can only be possible after the initial success of electric vehicles. The road infrastructure needs to be changed completely and the other kinds of regular cars need to be removed completely.

What The Future Holds?

Now, the question that remains in the mind of people is whether this quest for bringing electric cars is a success. It is to be taken into account that the buying power and stranded of living in increasing both in the developed and developing economies.
The countries that have already taken the initial step and is serious about implementing path-breaking solutions for manufacturing electric vehicles for the masses are Norway, Japan and also China. Many other nations are also thinking of building the required strategy for electric cars.

Lets Go Green:

Thus, the future of electric cars are dependent on several factors over the course of time. In order to make electric car – a complete success story, there is a need for complete infrastructural upheaval. In addition to that, the mindset or spending capabilities in terms of cars and transportation also needs to be changed. It is easily understood to be a gradual transition and the results and affects cannot be viewed just overnight. Moreover, along with electric vehicles there is rise of driver-less cars in the automobile market- thanks to the artificial intelligence boom. However, in order to make driving in complete electric cars not the hybrid models possible on a large scale, initiatives must be taken in the governmental or federal level and also supported by favorable laws in favor of electric cars regulations.



How to Save Money on Gas for Your Car 



Driving Habits

1. Drive Less
Between the rising cost of gas and the slumping economy, there are a number of reasons why people are driving less today. It’s not so hard to do either. Combine your errands into one trip to avoid repeat drives into town. Consider walking instead of driving for nearby pick-ups, or drag out that bicycle that’s gathering dust in the garage or shed.
2. Warm Up Your Car for Shorter Lengths of Time
If you wake up to a cold morning, don’t warm up the car for longer than 30 seconds (up to one minute if you must). If you idle the engine for more than a minute, you waste fuel and pump nasty greenhouse gas emissions into the air. Engines of modern cars do not require the extensive length of time that older models needed to warm up.
3. Buy Gas Early or Late in the Day
Purchase gas early or late in the day, especially during warm months. Gas is cooler earlier in the day, and more dense. As temperatures rise, gas density falls and you get less of it when you pump.
Also, buy gas early in the week. Prices typically rise between Wednesday and Saturday, but stay lower during the early days of the week.
4. Slow Down and Drive Steady
Driving fast may be fun, but it also increases drag, which increases fuel consumption. Driving just below the speed limit and driving smoothly (not accelerating quickly) uses gas more efficiently, so you may have to fill up a lot less often.
5. Monitor When and How You Brake
Braking excessively wastes gas and causes your brake pads to wear out quickly. Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you when you’re in heavy traffic – that way, you won’t need to brake as often as if you were tailgating.
Also, by keeping a bit more distance between you and the car ahead, you can begin braking earlier, especially when approaching a traffic light. By not having to slam on the brakes at the last minute, you’ll improve the efficiency of your car and save gas.
6. Turn Off the Engine
If you’re waiting outside for your spouse to finish getting ready for your night out, or you’re waiting at a railroad crossing for the train to cross, turn off the engine. Idling is a major waste of gasoline, and contributes massive amounts of pollutants to the atmosphere.
7. Eliminate Wind Resistance
An open window increases drag and costs you fuel in the long run – so keep your windows closed whenever possible. Also, remember to remove unneeded car racks and carriers. If you normally drive around with a ski rack, bicycle rack, or luggage rack on your roof, take it off when it’s not in use to make your vehicle more aerodynamic.
8. Avoid Gas Stations Near the Highway
The first gas station that you encounter after a long stretch of highway will usually be pricey. If possible, plan ahead or drive a little farther toward the nearest town to find a cheaper station.
9. Don’t Wait Until Your Tank Is Almost Empty to Fill Up
If you wait until your tank is almost empty, you may be stuck paying for whatever gas you find conveniently nearby, as you won’t be able to search for the best deal.


Car Maintenance

1. Monitor Your Tires
Under-inflation causes tires to wear out faster and wastes gas. Properly inflated tires reduce friction and offer better gas mileage.
However, temperature changes can cause tire pressure to fluctuate by as much as two to three pounds per square inch (psi), so be sure to check the psi regularly – especially during seasons when the weather shifts drastically. You may also want to contact your car dealer to see if they offer free tire pressure check-ups.
Also, if you utilize snow tires during the winter months, be sure to replace them in the spring. Snow tires cause excess friction on dry surfaces, wasting gas.
2. Tune the Engine
Car engines need to be regularly tuned. A properly tuned engine uses less gas, so if you can’t remember when you last had a tune-up, it may be time to schedule one.
3. Change Filters
Check your filters regularly – especially if you live in a dusty area. Clean filters help to keep cars running more fuel efficiently.
4. Use the Correct Motor Oil
Be sure to use the proper motor oil. If you’re not sure which type your car requires, check the owner’s manual or do a search online. Using the wrong motor oil can cause the engine to work harder and waste gas.
5. Turn Off the A/C
As much as you may love air conditioning, it turns your car into a gas guzzler. Keep it turned off as much as possible. To keep your car cooler, park in the shade and roll the windows down a crack to circulate air.

Transmissions & Fuel Efficiency

6. Drive Manual
Manual transmission cars are more fuel-efficient than automatic transmission. If you drive one, shift up early and shift down late to save on fuel. Also, shift into neutral when the car is standing still to reduce the strain on your transmission.
7. Manage Your Speed
If you drive a car with automatic transmission, use cruise control to manage your speed and conserve fuel.

Planning Ahead

1. Choose the Best Route
Whenever possible, take the route with the fewest stop signs and traffic lights. The shortest route isn’t always the most fuel-efficient way to go.
2. Fill Your Gas Tank Near State Lines
When traveling, fill up near state lines if possible. Due to different tax rates, you may save a bundle just by crossing into another state. If you’re planning a road trip, do research ahead of time to see which states offer the best prices.
3. Consider Buying a Fuel-Efficient Car
Consider getting a more fuel-efficient car. Even several models of affordable non-hybrids can get 40 miles per gallon.
4. Download a Gas App
Using smartphone apps can really help you save at the gas pump – sometimes more than $0.20 per gallon. Several apps are not only available for the iPhone, but also for the Android, Blackberry, Windows phone,  and others as well.

15 Ways to Save Fuel

Although fuel prices continue to hit record highs, you can take action to maximize fuel efficiency, save energy, and take steps to conserve fuel in commercial fleet vehicles. We spoke to fleet operators and gathered 15 suggestions for better fuel economy and best practices that you can implement in your fleet right away.

1. Avoid Long Idling

The worst mileage a vehicle can get is zero mpg, which occurs when it idles. Idling for long periods of time, whether at a railroad crossing or pulling off the road to make a cell phone call, consumes gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Restarting an engine uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds. When idling for longer periods of time, shut off the engine.
However, turning off the engine may disable vehicle functions, including safety features like airbags. Drivers should be certain to only utilize this strategy in situations where there is no possibility of collision.

2. Clean Out the Trunk and Eliminate Unnecessary Weight

Vehicles get much better mileage when they’re not loaded with unnecessary weight. Every 200 pounds of additional weight trims one mile off fuel efficiency. Most drivers accumulate material in their vehicle trunks, some of it unnecessary. Instruct drivers to remove all non-required items from the vehicle, such as unneeded tools or materials.

3. Keep Tires Inflated to the Correct Pressure

Buy tire gauges for your drivers so they can ensure tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended level. One underinflated tire can cut fuel economy by 2% per pound of pressure below the proper inflation level. One out of four drivers, on average, drives vehicles with one or more underinflated tires. When a tire is underinflated by 4-5 psi below the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, for example, vehicle fuel consumption increases by 10% and, over the long haul, causes a 15% reduction in tire tread life. Check the vehicle’s doorpost sticker for minimum tire inflation pressure.

4. Don’t Buy Premium Fuel

Resist the urge to buy higher-octane gas for “premium” performance, unless the vehicle requires it. Octane has nothing to do with gasoline performance; it merely indicates the volatility factor in the combustion chamber. Unless your vehicle owner’s manual specifically requires it, don’t use premium fuel. Fuel costs could be cut as much as 10 cents per gallon by using regular fuel instead of premium.

5. Encourage Drivers to Observe Posted Speed Limits

This tip may save a life as well as fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates a 10% to 15% improvement in fuel economy by driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph.

6. Shop Around for Best Fuel Prices

Check the Web for the best fuel deals. GasBuddy.com is a network of more than 179 city-specific Web sites with gas price information posted by users. Browse this site on a BlackBerry or other PDA to find cheap gas on-the-go.
Use a wholesale club or grocery store. Does your company have a business membership to a warehouse chain such as Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s Wholesale Club? These wholesale clubs typically offer some of the lowest gas prices in town.
The downsides are that you may find lines at the pumps and the cost of membership (typically $40 to $45) will offset some of your savings if all you do is buy gas. Yet, if you shop at one of these anyway, or you’re a heavy gas user, you may still find the savings worthwhile.
Discount retailers, for example, Wal-Mart and Kmart, and grocery stores that have pumps also often charge less than the competition to get people on their lots. In addition, there’s no membership fee required at the discount retailers.

7. Make Drivers Energy Conscious

Similar to turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms at home, drivers should practice energy conservation habits in their vehicles as well. If a vehicle has a trip computer, encourage drivers to use the “instant fuel economy” display to refine driving habits.

8. Use Air Conditioning Sparingly

Use the air conditioner only when needed. The air conditioner puts extra load on the engine, forcing more fuel to be used. An air conditioner is one of the biggest drains on engine power and fuel economy. It can reduce gas consumption 5 to 20 percent, depending on the type of vehicle and the way it is driven. Don’t use it as a fan to simply circulate air. If it’s just too hot to bear without A/C, keep it set around 72 degrees. Use the vent setting as much as possible.
In addition, parking in the shade increases fuel economy since not as much gas will evaporate when the car is out of the sun. Air conditioning won’t need to work as hard to cool down the interior.

9. Make Your Vehicle More Aerodynamic

Wind drag is a key source of reduced fuel mileage, causing an engine to work harder, thereby reducing fuel economy.
Minimize wind drag by keeping the windows rolled up. This allows air to flow over the body, rather then drawing it inside the cabin and slowing down the vehicle. A wide-open window, especially at highway speeds, increases aerodynamic drag, which could result in a 10-percent decrease in fuel economy. If you want fresh air, run the climate system on “outside air” and “vent,” and crack the window for additional ventilation.
Lowering the tailgate of a pickup creates turbulence, causing wind drag and a less fuel-efficient truck at highway speeds.
By leaving the tailgate up, a smooth bubble of air is created in the bed.

10. Encourage Carpooling

Encourage carpooling through incentive programs. Possible incentives include reduced-cost or free parking, preferred parking, or reward programs such as prize drawings.
Employers can help employees form carpools through rideshare organizations, which help potential carpoolers locate others nearby with similar schedules. Visit Rideshare-directory.com for regional programs.
If you have several employees going to the same work location or job site, have them take one vehicle instead of driving separately.

11. Anticipate Traffic Flow

Anticipate traffic conditions and accelerate and decelerate smoothly — it’s safer, uses less gas, and reduces brake wear.
In stop-and-go commuter traffic, look two or more vehicles ahead as you keep an eye on the driver in front of you. This enables you to accelerate and decelerate more gradually.
By anticipating a traffic light change, an upcoming stop sign, or the need to slow down for a curve, you can avoid or reduce brake use and save gasoline in the process. Like the “jackrabbit start,” the “jackrabbit stop” is also a major contributor to inefficient driving.

12. Avoid Uphill Speed Increases

When climbing a hill, the engine is already working hard to overcome gravity. Pushing it harder by stepping on the gas is simply a waste of fuel.

13. Use Cruise Control During Highway Driving

Unnecessary changes in speed are wasteful. The use of cruise control helps improve fuel economy.

14. Avoid Aggressive Driving

Time studies show that fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic, and accelerating to and from a stop light don’t save much time and wear out components such as brakes and tires faster.
Simply limiting quick acceleration and fast braking can increase fuel economy. When accelerating, pretend you have a fresh egg underneath your right foot. A light, steady pressure helps to minimize the amount of fuel consumed and maintain a more moderate and steady speed.
By not driving aggressively, drivers can save up to 20% in fuel economy, advises the EPA.

15. Monitor Preventive Maintenance Schedules

Proper maintenance increases a vehicle’s fuel economy. For example, unaligned wheels that fight each other waste fuel. Keep the air filter clean. A dirty filter clogs an engine’s air supply, causing a higher fuel-to-air ratio and thereby increasing gasoline consumption. Use good quality, energy-conserving (EC) oils with a viscosity grade consistent with the manual. Look for bottles marked with the symbol ECII, which is the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) logo for fuel-efficient oils.

Maniaa Abdelouahed

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