Reducing fuel consumption helps the environment in many ways. Each step in the fuel production and distribution chain — drilling, transporting, refining, and so on — can result in environmental pollution. Increased fuel consumption directly affects the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and tends to increase some other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and evaporative hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide (CO) and exhaust hydrocarbon emissions are closely related to how a vehicle is driven and how its emission controls are functioning.

You can make a difference! You can adopt driving habits that reduce fuel consumption, increase fuel efficiency, and save money. Here are some ideas:

• Avoid high speeds. Fuel efficiency decreases significantly at speeds over 55 miles per hour. In addition, high-speed driving causes heat buildup that accelerates tire deterioration. Cornering too fast causes excessive and uneven wear on tire treads.
• Avoid excessive idling. Idling wastes gas. Don't start your car until you are ready to go and keep winter engine warm-ups brief (one to three minutes). Turn off the engine if you won't be moving for an extended period of time.
• Avoid rough roads and potholes. Because driving on rough surfaces is hard on tires and wheel alignment, it can reduce fuel efficiency.
• Don't rev the engine. Revving the engine wastes gas. It may also dump gas on the cylinder walls, which can increase engine wear and cost you money. Revving can also overheat the vehicle's catalytic converter, which makes it less effective, damages it, and costs you money.
• Drive smoothly. Smooth driving saves gas and lowers vehicle emissions. Accelerate slowly, avoiding "jackrabbit" starts; shift to higher gears at the lowest practical speed if you have a standard transmission; and accelerate gently if you have an automatic transmission. If your car is equipped with overdrive, you should use it at the appropriate speeds. If your car is equipped with cruise control, you should use it where appropriate. Also, avoid sudden starts and stops, which increase wear on your tires.
• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires decrease gas mileage and shorten tire life. Newer cars have a label on the inside edge of the driver's door that lists recommended tire pressures for different speeds and loads. (The maximum pressure, which is printed on the tire's sidewall, may not be the optimum pressure for your vehicle or driving situation.) In some vehicles, the label may be on the doorpost, glove compartment door, or fuel door. If you cannot find the label, consult your owner's manual or check with the vehicle manufacturer, tire manufacturer, or local tire dealer. Check the pressure in all four tires every two weeks with an accurate, hand-held air pressure gauge. The gauges on service station air pumps may be inaccurate. Because tire pressure changes with temperature, you should check and adjust pressure when the tire is cold and when the vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours.
• Consolidate trips. Vehicle emissions and fuel consumption increase not only with the number of miles driven, but also with the number of trips taken. Vehicles burn more gas and emit far more pollutants in their first few minutes of operation because the emission control systems have not warmed up and reached peak efficiency. Try to consolidate errands and trips and driving during off-peak hours so that you can spend less time on the road and avoid excessive stop-start driving. When possible, carpool, ride mass transit, walk, or bike to your destination.
• Minimize drag. Drag reduces fuel efficiency. Driving with the windows open, using roof- or rear-mounted racks, and carrying heavy loads increase vehicle drag. If you sometimes need to transport large items, use a removable rack, or if possible, carry the items in the trunk or inside the vehicle. Heavy loads increase drag. Remove heavy items from the vehicle when you don't need to carry them. A clean car body can reduce drag by up to 12 percent thereby improving fuel economy.

Here are some tips for reducing emissions when you refuel:

• Don't "top off" or overfill the vehicle's tank when refueling. Stop when the pump automatically shuts off. If you continue to refuel after the pump has shut off, you increase the chance that you will spill gas and release harmful gasoline vapors into the air.
• Replace the gas cap tightly. The gas cap is part of your vehicle's emission control system and is designed to prevent polluting gasoline vapors from escaping into the air. If your vehicle's gas cap is lost or damaged, replace it as soon as possible with an identical one. Using a properly fitting gas cap can also prevent damage to your fuel tank and keep water out of your fuel.
• Select the proper fuel. Consult your owner's manual for the right grade of fuel to use. Do not use a higher-octane gasoline than your vehicle's engine needs! Higher-octane fuels are more harmful to the environment because they require more crude oil to produce than lower-octane fuels. Many people don’t know that most vehicles today do not require high-octane fuel (which costs more).
• Try to refuel after dark during warm weather. This reduces the chance of the volatile organic compounds and NO_x vapors reacting with sunlight and becoming ground-level ozone.

Short List to Cleaner Driving!

• Minimize trips and mileage (walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation).
• Drive smoothly.
• Avoid high speeds.
• Avoid lengthy idling.
• Don't rev the engine.
• Avoid rough roads and potholes.
• Don't overfill or top off the gas tank.
• Keep your tires properly inflated.
• Check the spark plugs, belts, hoses, and oil.
• Change the fuel filter, PCV valve, and air filter when necessary.
• Keep track of what you do and when you do it — write it in the owner's manual.
• Minimize drag.