Earth Gauge: Fuel Economy

For many cities, personal vehicles are the biggest year-round source of air pollution, and cars account for more than 25 percent of air pollution in the US! Congestion on the roadways is no longer just a big-city problem -- as a matter of fact, the amount of time commuters spend stuck in traffic has quadrupled since 1982 for small- and mid-sized cities. Sitting in traffic and idling vehicles generate emissions that affect our air quality and cost commuters billions of dollars in wasted gas and time.

It is estimated that Alabama residents spent more than 4,300 dollars on gas in 2007, up eight percent from 2006 (an increase of about 310 dollars). Regardless of how much time you spend on the road, there are simple steps you can take to save gas and reduce emissions. Tune-up your engine to increase fuel economy by four percent; clean or replace air filters to boost fuel economy by up to ten percent; inflate your tires to the proper pressure for an increase of up to three percent; and obey the speed limit to increase fuel economy by seven to 23 percent!

(Sources: US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. "It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air." http://www.italladdsup.gov/about/index.asp; The Alliance to Save Energy. "Alabama Energy Costs to Jump this Winter: Energy and Money Saving Tips for Consumers." http://ase.org/extensions/state_facts/fact_sheets/AL.pdf)