DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From technical
innovations in a variety of products to simple ideas that help customers
conserve fuel and help the environment, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) continues
to seek ways to help reduce fuel consumption. That need for conservation was
made even more urgent this week when President Bush urged Americans to
conserve gasoline.
Ford Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford recently announced a
commitment to increase the Company's annual production of fuel efficient
hybrid vehicles ten-fold in five years. Ford also will offer four new
Flexible Fuel vehicles for 2006 that will run largely on ethanol to provide
consumers with more alternative fuel options.
Ford models that help conserve fuel include the Escape Hybrid -- the most
fuel-efficient SUV on the road today. All Ford passenger cars deliver 25 mpg
or better on the highway. In addition, Ford offers the most fuel efficient
pickup truck, station wagon, and all-wheel-drive (AWD) sedan on the market.
ECODriving Tips
Fuel efficiency experts, including Ford's environmental policy
specialists, agree that learning to drive differently increases fuel
efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving
such as rapid acceleration, speeding and braking can lower your gas mileage
significantly. Sensible driving not only helps conserve precious fuel
resources while saving money, it's also safer for all drivers.
"We call it ECODriving -- ECOnomical because it conserves fuel and saves
on fuel costs, and ECOlogical because it is better for the environment," says
Andy Acho, Ford's worldwide director of environmental outreach and strategy.
"This is a perfect time to remind drivers of a few simple actions they can
take to help conserve fuel by up to 25 percent and save money at the same
time."
DRIVING STYLE
* Time studies show that aggressive driving, including fast starts,
weaving in and out of traffic, accelerating to and from a stop light doesn't
save much time, wastes fuel and wears out some of the car components such as
brakes and tires faster.
* Don't leave car idling -- today's engines don't need to be warmed up.
Prolonged idling creates excess emissions and wastes fuel. Start car and
immediately, but gently, drive away.
* Turn the engine off when idling more than 30 seconds.
* Start slowly, avoiding rapid acceleration. Jackrabbit starts waste
fuel.
* Accelerate smoothly and brake gradually. Change lead foot to light
foot.
* Anticipate traffic conditions, and accelerate and decelerate smoothly
-- it's also safer and reduces brake wear.
VEHICLE SPEED
* Aim to maintain a constant speed -- pumping the accelerator pumps more
fuel into the engine.
* Drive at posted speed limits -- this is a tip that may save a life as
well as fuel. EPA estimates a 10-15% improvement by driving 55 instead of 65
mph.
* Use cruise control on the highway.
ENGINE LOAD
* Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The added frontal area
reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy. It can reduce fuel economy
by up to 25 percent.
* Don't drive at higher speeds with windows wide open. It increases the
aerodynamic drag on the highway and lowers fuel economy.
* Minimize use of air conditioning. Use the vent setting as much as
possible.
* Park in the shade to keep car cool and reduce the need for air
conditioning.
* Remove excess weight. Unnecessary weight makes the engine work harder
and consume more fuel.
MAINTENANCE
* Maintain a proper engine tune-up to keep vehicles running efficiently.
Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel.
* Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel
economy. They also wear rapidly. Check the vehicles door-post sticker for
minimum cold tire inflation pressure. Keep tires properly inflated to the
recommended pressure -- this alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use
by 3-4 percent.
* Replace the air filter as recommended -- always consult the owner's
manual.
* Use good quality, energy-conserving (EC) oils with a viscosity grade
consistent with the manual. Buy cans marked with the symbol ECII, which is
the American Society of Testing Materials logo for fuel-efficient oils.
* Use a fuel with good detergent additives -- to keep the vehicle engine
clean and performing efficiently.
OTHER TIPS
* Plan and consolidate trips to bypass congested routes and avoid stop-
and-go traffic. When feasible, carpool.
* Consider parking instead of using "drive-up" lanes.
* Consider walking or bicycling for short distances.
* Use a high-quality fuel with the lowest appropriate octane rating.
Check the owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation. There is no
benefit to using premium gas in a vehicle calibrated for regular.
FORD'S 2006 FUEL-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
* The Ford Focus wagon has the best fuel economy of any station wagon.
* The Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego offer the best fuel economy
available in an AWD car.
* The Ford Ranger pickup is the most fuel-efficient pickup truck
available today. It was selected as the top-rated compact pick-up truck by
http://www.GreenerCars.com .
* The 2006 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer boast up to 10 percent
improved highway fuel economy over previous models.
* The new 2006 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, with its four-cylinder
engine delivers fuel economy of 31 mpg hwy and 23 mpg city.
* The Ford Freestyle offers the best fuel economy of any seven-passenger
SUV.
* Ford offers an unsurpassed number of vehicle configurations --
including the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr -- with an advanced 6-speed or CVT automatic
transmission -- designed to offer better fuel economy and performance than a
typical 4- or 5-speed automatic.
* The Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the second of Ford's hybrid vehicles,
delivers 33 mpg hwy and 29 mpg city.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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Related links:
http://www.ford.com
CONTACT:
Daniel Jarvis, +1-313-845-2709,
djarvis1@ford.com , or Chris Morrisroe, +1-313-322-9206,
cmorrisr@ford.com , both of Ford Motor Company
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