Breaking: Racing to be the first in line at a red light and then breaking hard to avoid hitting cars at the light is a waste of gasoline.  Better to coast through the space buffer between you and the cars ahead or when approaching a distant red light.

Driving attitude: The US Department of Energy ‘s website states that drivers apply their breaks 10 % to 25% more times than they need to. Leave more distance between you and the cars in front. Make that at least 2 seconds or more then you will have time to coast before breaking. If you see a red light in the distance there is no need to continue driving at the speed limit. Slow down, coast, you may make it to the light and NOT have to actually stop. It is cheaper to accelerate from 10mph than from a full stop.

Traffic waves and jams: If you must travel at peak rush hour pay attention the traffic waves or traffic jams you may encounter. If you see a traffic wave or jam ahead slow down. You may just get there as the jam is breaking up. At least you will help the drivers in back of you slow down and not have to come to a full stop.  Experiment for yourself…It might be worth your while and avoids an accident also!

MPG Log: Fill your gasoline tank and reset the trip-meter to zero. When refueling, fill the tank and write down the number of gallons it took and the number of miles on the trip-meter. Divide the number of miles by the number of gallons to determine miles per gallon. Keep this up, dating and logging. You may get different numbers but that is all determined by where you traveled during a period of time. It is the average of your log that is important.

Acceleration: Do you really need to reach the street speed in 3 seconds? Didn’t think so. When starting from a stop with an automatic transmission wait 2 seconds from the time you release the brake to the time you press the accelerator. Most vehicles are set to idle at about 1,000 rmp and when releasing the brake, this engine speed takes them from zero to 15mph in 2 to 3 seconds. Then press the accelerator just enough to increase engine speed to 2,000 rpm on the tachometer. This takes five-speed transmission to 60mph in 18 seconds, with less gasoline. Don’t understand this…no problem….just do it.

Stops and Idling: OK, now you are at the drive through at the bank, fast food or pharmacy. Don’t keep that car idling! Turn off the engine because it takes less gas restarting than idling for several minutes. The person on the other side of the window will thank you, too. Your voice will not be competing with the noise from your engine.

ECO: Does your vehicle have a Fuel Economy Setting on it? You don't know?  Take a look at your owners manual or ask one of our services advisors the next time you are at Primeaux Kia for maintenance. This simple little button will force you to save on gas.

A Primeaux Kia customer once told us that you can get great gas mileage if you drive your vehicle like you own it and not as though your “just stole it.” Translated that means, “Slow down and save gas.”