Automobile Information

(NAPSI)-From daily commuting to summer road trips, the amount of time we spend driving adds up quickly…and so can travel costs. However, a few good driving habits can help put the brakes on unnecessary spending and get you on the road to savings:

· Watch your speed. A faster trip may be less fuel efficient. When traveling at speeds above 50 mph, gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly.

· Lose weight in your car. Every extra 100 pounds can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent, so keep your trunk clear of unnecessary items.

· Find gas pumps that pay you back. Some stations, like participating BP stations, allow you to save on future fill-ups. With the BP Driver Rewards program, for every 20 gallons of BP fuel you purchase, with a minimum of two transactions, you can earn a 5-cents-off-per-gallon reward. It's free to join. Rewards accumulate automatically and may be redeemed as soon as one hour from being earned-without the wait for monthly statements or additional purchases at other retailers, as many loyalty programs require. Program rewards may be redeemed toward a single fill-up (up to 20 gallons), for a period of 90 days following the month in which they were earned, and may not be able to be combined with other offers. To save even more, you can use a BP Visa credit card to pay for your fuel purchases along with the BP Driver Rewards card. Visit www.bpdriverrewards.com for terms and conditions and participating locations.

· Avoid idling. When parked, shut off your engine to save fuel. An idling engine can consume up to a half gallon of fuel per hour.

· Inflate for a smoother ride. Keep your tires at the proper pressure to get up to 3.3 percent better gas mileage.

· Choose quality gasoline. Fill up with a quality fuel like BP gasoline with Invigorate®, which can help your car get a few more miles per tank when compared to low-detergent gasoline. When used continuously, it helps clean and protect critical engine parts from harmful deposits, so you'll go a little farther between fill-ups. Results will vary depending on a variety of factors and in tests were more significant in older model vehicles.

· Rack up a more efficient ride. Use a removable roof or bicycle rack and install it only when needed. By avoiding the extra bulk, you'll minimize aerodynamic drag-the air and wind resistance your vehicle must overcome to accelerate and maintain a constant speed.

· Cruise cautiously. Use the cruise control on long stretches of highway driving when it's safe to do so, which can help save fuel by helping your car maintain a steady speed. Driving aggressively by rapid acceleration and braking uses more gas.

A new fuel program offers consumers a smarter way to save money on quality gasoline.