See and Be Seen! Be prepared for shorter days

Be prepared for shorter days

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 4th at 2am, and we'll all need to adapt to more driving during the nighttime hours. One thing that might bother you as a result of shorter days is headlight glare. Here are some tips for seeing better (and being seen better!) at night:

Potholes, improperly inflated tires and general wear and tear can cause misaligned headlights. Have them checked for proper adjustment so they light your way efficiently and are not aimed incorrectly at oncoming traffic.
If the lenses are yellowed or cloudy, your headlights will not properly illuminate the road in front of you. Have the lenses restored professionally or with a do-it-yourself kit, or replace them with new ones.
To reduce the glare of oncoming traffic, look to the white line painted on the right side of the road; you won't be looking directly into the lights, but you'll still be able to see ahead of you with your peripheral vision.
Keep your windshield clean to reduce glare caused by light refracted through dirt. Do the same with your headlights so that you can see the road better and as a courtesy to other drivers.
Adjust your outside mirrors so that glare from lights behind you is reduced.
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HOW DO I INCREASE GAS MILEAGE?

Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	4%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.15/gallon

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	Up to 3%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	Up to $0.11/gallon

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	1–2%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.04–$0.07/gallon

NEW INFORMATION: Replacing a Clogged Air Filter on Modern Cars Improves Performance but Not MPG

A new study shows that replacing a clogged air filter on cars with fuel-injected, computer-controlled gasoline engines does not improve fuel economy but it can improve acceleration time by around 6 to 11 percent. This kind of engine is prevalent on most gasoline cars manufactured from the early 1980s onward.

Tests suggest that replacing a clogged air filter on an older car with a carbureted engine may improve fuel economy 2 to 6 percent under normal replacement conditions or up to 14 percent if the filter is so clogged that it significantly affects drivability.

The effect of a clogged air filter on diesel vehicles will be tested in the near future.

Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.72/gallon.