Smarter Driving Can Help Save Money, Reduce Environmental Impact

ST. LOUIS–(EMWNews)–As motorists across the country struggle with $4 per gallon gasoline

costs and search for ways they can reduce their impact on the

environment, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is offering 10 Keys to “Green”

Driving – useful tips that drivers can use

to cut down on fuel use and save money.

“When it comes to improving fuel economy and

reducing our impact on the environment, every little bit helps,”

said Steve Short, Vice President, Leisure Business Development. “As

we look for ways that we as individuals can make a difference, smarter

driving is one step we can all take.”

Enterprise – along with sister companies

National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car –

owns the world’s largest fleet of

fuel-efficient vehicles. More than 440,000 cars in the combined fleet of

approximately 1.1 million vehicles average a highway fuel efficiency

rating of at least 28 mpg or better, and more than 237,000 average 32

mpg or better.

Enterprise, National and Alamo also operate the world’s

largest fleet of FlexFuel vehicles –

more than 73,000 cars and trucks that have the ability to use E85, a

blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline –

and approximately 4,000 gas/electric hybrid vehicles. The companies also

offer the industry’s largest consumer carbon

offset program, which enables customers to offset the CO2 emissions

associated with renting a car.

With the environment in mind, Enterprise offers motorists the following

driving tips:

1. Lighten your load: The more weight a car carries, the

lower its fuel economy will be. On road trips, while it’s

tempting to pack everything – kitchen sink

included – it’s

smart to leave heavy, unnecessary items behind. And, even for your

day-to-day travel, take a few minutes to clean out your car to eliminate

extra weight. Pack only what you need (including emergency items) for

vacations, and remove unneeded items from your back seat and trunk.

These simple steps can cut significant weight, enabling your car to use

less fuel.

2. Reduce your speed and keep the RPMs down: As speed

increases, so does drag. So, driving at higher speeds will reduce your

fuel economy. In fact, for every 10 miles per hour you reduce speed, you

improve your fuel economy by 4 mpg. In addition, avoid putting the pedal

to the metal when the stoplight turns green, which increases your vehicle’s

RPM level and lowers your fuel efficiency. For automatic transmission

vehicles, accelerating gently prompts automatic gear shifting at lower

engine speeds; with a manual transmission, the general rule is to shift

gears between 2,000 and 2,500 RPM. Staying at or a bit below the speed

limit and watching your RPMs can have a big impact on the environment and

your bank account.

3. Plan routes in advance and combine trips: Whether

gearing up for a weeklong vacation or a quick trip to the mall, plan out

your route in advance to avoid heavy traffic times and areas. Sometimes,

the shortest route can consume more fuel than a longer one, if rush hour

or road construction leads to traffic jams and stop-and-go driving. And,

warmed-up engines produce lower emissions, so try to combine several

short trips into one to save fuel and cut down on pollution. Try to

anticipate your errands and plan to knock them all out in one day, if

not one stop.

4. Buy for the need; rent for the exception: Whether you

are planning to rent or purchase a new vehicle, why choose more car than

you need? More fuel efficient vehicles burn less fuel, which means less

pollution. Research the fuel economy of various makes and models,

including hybrids, and find the most environmentally friendly vehicle

that fits your needs. And, for those occasions when your day-to-day

vehicle won’t fit the bill, it’s

easy to rent something that will. (With more than 6,000 neighborhood

locations, Enterprise is within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S.

population, and has a wide selection of vehicles from minivans to sport

utilities to trucks.) Whether buying or renting, focus on what you need.

5. Use the right fuel: Most cars don’t

need premium fuel – although some vehicles do

call for higher octane gas to maximize performance and fuel efficiency.

Check your owner’s manual when choosing what

grade of gasoline to use, and don’t spend the

extra money on a premium grade if you don’t

need to. If you have a FlexFuel vehicle, which is able to use E85

fuel (a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), take a

minute to locate E85 fueling stations near you by visiting www.e85refueling.com.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, using E85 can reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent.

6. Avoid the top off: Drivers often top off their tank beyond the

gas pump’s automatic cutoff point to get an

even total or to squeeze in as much fuel as possible. But that extra

squeeze can lead to spills and release gas vapors into the air. This

wastes money and pollutes the air, even aggravating smog in bigger

cities.

7. Carpool: Why have two or more cars on the road when one

can get the job done? Set up a carpool group with several colleagues at

work, or coordinate with family and friends to carpool for regular

errands such as grocery shopping. Fewer vehicles on the road mean fewer

pollutants in the air.

8. Keep tires properly inflated: Maintaining proper tire

inflation levels can improve fuel economy. Tires lose air pressure over

time and due to cold temperatures. As that air pressure decreases,

rolling resistance increases, making your vehicle less fuel efficient.

Your vehicle’s owner’s

manual will show you the proper inflation levels.

9. Give the brake a break: Even after planning ahead, you

may find yourself stuck in a traffic jam. When you do, be smart as you

navigate your way through it. Avoid jack-rabbit starts and keep your

acceleration moderate and steady, because cars use the most gas when

they accelerate. Create space from the car in front of you, and look

ahead for any potential slowdowns so you can ease off the gas rather

than slam on the brake.

10. Cool off wisely: A common mistake drivers make is

kicking off the air conditioning and rolling down their windows to save

gas, regardless of circumstance. It is true that rolling down the

windows in lieu of the AC can increase fuel economy at slower speeds,

but at faster highway speeds, open windows can actually increase drag

and hurt fuel economy. So, consider the weather –

and your speed – before deciding how to stay

cool on the go.

For more information about Enterprise’s

industry-leading environmental stewardship initiatives, visit www.keystogreen.com.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is

an internationally recognized brand with the largest fleet of passenger

vehicles in the world today, more than 700,000 cars and trucks.

Enterprise also operates a network of nearly 7,000 neighborhood and more

than 240 airport rental locations in the United States, Canada, the

U.K., Ireland, and Germany.

As North America’s largest car rental

company, Enterprise is known for its exceptionally low rates,

neighborhood convenience and its outstanding service, including picking

up local customers at no extra cost. Ranked No. 18 on the Forbes Top 500

Private Companies in America, Enterprise has branch offices located

within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. In addition,

Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport

rentals in eight out of the past nine years, according to J.D. Power and

Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. For more information about

Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.

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