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2 ECT FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Reducing fuel costs is foremost on the minds of many drivers. Myriad costs are associated with owning an automobile, many of which are within a driver’s control. For instance, safe drivers are likely to spend less on auto insurance than drivers with a history of traffic violations or accidents, while driv-ers who purchase a vehicle with a high safety rating will likely spend less to insure that vehicle than they would a sports car.

One of the costs associated with driv-ing that some drivers may mistakenly feel is beyond their control is the cost of fuel. Drivers might not be able to control the price at the pump, but there are many ways drivers can spend less on fuel, help-ing them save money and helping the en-vironment along the way.

Emphasizing efficiencyMaking a vehicle more efficient is a

great way to save money at the pump. But drivers don’t need to get under the hood or have a mechanic’s understanding of automobiles to make their cars more effi-cient. In fact, a few minor adjustments is all it takes to make a car more efficient and save drivers, regardless of their mechani-cal inclinations, money at the filling sta-tion.

* Adequately inflate tires. Tires that are not properly inflated increase drag on a vehicle, which then consumes more fuel to operate at full capacity. Check the driver’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, and check the tire pressure frequently to ensure your car isn’t working harder than it needs to be.

* Clear out the trunk. A car filled with clutter is carrying unnecessary weight, making it harder for the car to accelerate and consuming more fuel than it should be. Clear out the trunk and anything inside the vehicle that you don’t need.

* Open the windows at lower speeds. Air condi-

tioning consumes lots of fuel, and many auto experts suggest rolling down the windows when driving at lower speeds. When you begin driving a little faster, roll the windows up and turn on the air condition-ing to reduce drag.

Spend wiselyHow you’re spending at the pump can also help

you reduce fuel consumption and save you money.

* Fill ‘er up! Many drivers avoid filling up their tank when visiting the gas station for fear that fill-ing up the tank makes the car heavier, decreasing the vehicle’s fuel efficiency as a result. While that may be true, drivers who don’t fill up make more trips to the filling station, and those trips can waste fuel. In addition, when the gas cap is removed from your vehicle, vaporized gas escapes from the tank, so opening the cap more frequently allows more va-porized gas to escape.

* Pay for gas with a card that rewards you with cash for making purchases. While using a cash-back credit card won’t reduce your fuel consumption, it will earn you some money back on your fuel pur-chases.

* Don’t pay more for fuel your car won’t uti-lize. Some drivers might feel as though putting a high-octane fuel in their vehicles will improve the

vehicle’s performance. But that’s not the case. A high-octane fuel in a car that’s built for a low-octane fuel won’t improve the car’s performance or its gas mileage. Only purchase the fuel the owner’s man-ual recommends. For many new vehicles, that means 87-octane, or “regular,” fuel, which is typically the most affordable.

Drive wiselyDriving habits can also impact how

much fuel you’re consuming. Driving habits can be hard to change, but driv-ers who start driving with a mind toward safety and reducing fuel consumption can take steps to do just that.

* Don’t accelerate too quickly. Rapid acceleration consumes more fuel. When accelerating, do so gradually. You’ll still get to the same place, but you’ll get there with a lot more fuel.

* Don’t speed. Highway speeds more than 60 miles per hour significantly re-duce fuel efficiency. Estimates suggest a

car traveling at 60 miles per hour uses 20 percent less fuel than a vehicle traveling at 75 miles per hour. Toxic emissions, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, also increase when vehicles travel more than 60 miles per hour.

Reducing fuel consumption is a goal for environ-mentalists and drivers alike. There are several ways drivers can help their vehicle consume less fuel and benefit the planet at the same time.

SC133961

Reduce fuel consumption to save money and help the planet

Now the jourNey is more excitiNg thaN the destiNatioN.

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Deer can be found all over the country, and healthy deer popula-tions are increasingly creeping into residential and urban areas seeking food and mates thanks to develop-ments encroaching on deer habitats. This increases the chances of motorists having run-ins with deer on the road-ways around their homes and places of business.

State Farm(R) estimates that 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles occurred in the United States during the two-year period between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2010. That number marks a 21.1 percent increase in the number of incidents from sta-tistics gathered just five years earlier. West Virgina and Iowa rank first and second, respectively, as the states where a driver is most likely to collide with a deer.

Vehicular crashes can cause serious damage to a car and even be fatal. Ac-cording to National Geographic, the average white-tailed deer can stand at 6-feet-tall and weigh between 100 and

200 pounds. That animal stands as a formidable foe should a collision with a car occur. It may seem like one is hit-ting into a barrier or an impenetrable object.

Although fall, when deer are migra-tory and seeking mates, is the prime season for collisions with deer, colli-sions can occur throughout the year. The spring is when females give birth to their young, so speckled fawns may inadvertently dart across the road with mothers chasing after them. The displacement of deer habitats due to urban sprawl also magnifies the prob-lem of risking an accident with deer.

There are certain tips that can re-duce the chances of a deer and vehicle collision.

* Keep in mind that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m. At dusk, they may be harder to see.

* Take note of posted deer cross-ing signs. These are erected in places where deer are most actively crossing.

* Deer generally travel in herds. So drivers who see one deer should ex-pect to see others nearby.

* Use highbeams when driving at night to better illuminate rural areas.

* Drive slowly in areas where deer are likely to be, such as by open fields.

* Car-mounted deer whistles are not a reliable deterrent.

* Do not swerve erratically to avoid a deer collision. This can result in a collision with another car and increase risk of injury and damage.

In areas where deer collisions are prevalent, extra insurance coverage may be needed on vehicles. Therefore, drivers should speak with their insur-ance providers.

SC123827

Oh, ‘deer’: Get the facts about this road hazard

Men and women who ride mo-torcycles often insist there’s nothing quite like riding. Riding a motorcy-cle not only can be exhilarating and provide a feeling unlike any other, but it also requires patience and dis-cipline for beginners and veteran riders alike.

Riding a motorcycle carries a cer-tain stigma of being dangerous, but that’s only the case for inattentive riders who forget their responsibili-ties while on the road. The following are some tips that beginners can put to use when hitting the open road.

* Gear up and stay geared up. Beginners often don’t have a prob-lem gearing up, as many are under-standably nervous and therefore less likely to leave necessary equip-ment in the garage. Always wear a helmet, motorcycle jacket, riding gloves, riding boots and motorcycle pants when riding. Many riders fall into the trap of wearing less gear once they become more acclimated to their bike. But gear should be worn whether you have been riding for 50 days or 50 years.

* Prepare, prepare, prepare. There’s no such thing as too much preparation when riding a motorcy-cle. Motorcycle training guides are valuable tools of information for be-ginners. These instructional videos or reading materials provide insight into all aspects of riding a motor-cycle, and no beginner should get on a motorcycle without first watch-ing or reading a motorcycle training guide.

* Practice away from other motor-ists. Don’t start riding on a freeway until you have grown accustomed to riding the bike at slow practice speeds you’ve honed away from other motorists. Empty parking lots make ideal training grounds. Once you feel comfortable in the parking lot, gradually move to roads with-out heavy traffic, such as residential neighborhoods. Once you’re truly comfortable on the bike, then you can hit the highway.

* Go to class. A motorcycle safety course might be a requirement in some areas but not required in oth-ers. Regardless of whether or not it’s required, take the class anyway. Such classes might cost a few hun-dred dollars, but their value far ex-ceeds that cost. A safety course pre-pares riders for anything they might encounter on the road. Just be sure to enroll in a class that teaches ac-cident evasion.

* Get the right size. Some riders envision themselves at the helm of a big hog, while others see them-selves tooling down the highway on an ultra-light bike. But don’t go to extremes in either direction, at least not with your first motorcycle. A heavy bike might be more stable, but it’s also harder to control. A lighter bike might feel easier to control, but it’s best to wait until you have had a year or two of experience before buying bikes often referred to as “crotch rockets,” which are sporty and fast.

SC123927

Tips for motorcycle beginners

4 ECT FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 5 ECT FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

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As auto manufacturers continue to include the latest gadgets and newest safety features in their vehicles, some would-be vehicle buyers wonder if these gadgets are worth the extra cost. Today, many vehicles come with options such as backup cameras and parking aides.

Backup CamerasSome people cannot live without a rear camera

in their vehicle, while others consider such a feature an unnecessary expense. There are many advantag-es to backup cameras. Buyers concerned about the cost of a backup camera should keep in mind that

this option can be installed aftermarket, and some are sold as do-it-yourself kits.

Backup cameras are primarily mounted in the rear of the car near the license plate holder. Some also may be tied to additional reverse lighting to provide extra illumination when backing up at night.

The purpose of the backup camera is to provide an unobstructed view of what is behind the vehicle when driving in reverse. Sport utility vehicles and light trucks have higher profiles and large blind spots in the rear, which makes backing up tricky. According to the organization Keep Kids Safe, SUVs may pose a very real and deadly hazard to children, as do minivans and large pickup trucks, because they have poor rear visibility and large blind spots, which can make it more likely for someone to back his or her vehicle over a child. Although drivers must still pay attention when going in reverse, the backup camera offers an added measure of safety to ensure there is nothing behind the car or no small child darting by.

Backup cameras also can be advantageous in ur-ban areas or if you need to park in a tight garage or lot. The backup camera can alert you to how close you are to other vehicles or barriers.

Those who want to save money may want to in-vest in a backup alert instead of a camera. This sen-sor will sound when you’ve closed in on an obstacle behind the vehicle.

Parking assistSome cars and trucks are now coming off of the

factory line with an option to assist with parking. Intelligent Parking Assist System, or IPAS (also known as the Advanced Parking Guidance System, or APGS, in some Toyota and Lexus models), is a system that involves the use of cameras and sen-sors to easily park a car with minimal effort from the driver.

There are many things first-time drivers are ner-vous about when taking their road tests. Parking tops the list of the tested skills that are problematic for new drivers. Parking even causes many stu-dents to fail the road test portion of their drivers’ licensing exams.

Initial development of a parking assistance sys-tem can be traced back to the start of the 21st cen-

tury and was pioneered by Toyota engineers for the Prius Hybrid sold in Japan. Eventually, many car manufacturers started introducing their own ver-sions of parking assistance.

Nowadays, many IPAS features involve little to no involvement from the driver. Onboard comput-ers rely on cameras and sonar sensors to calculate the size of the parking spot and proximity to other parked cars and obstacles. The correct turning ra-dius is then identified, and the vehicle does all the work. The driver may need only to verify that the parking space that appears on screen is adequate and make any adjustments accordingly before the automation begins.

While the parking assist technology is worth it to drivers who struggle when parking, there is no major research to indicate that this technology is essential to preventing accidents. Drivers who can competently park their vehicles might want to for-go a parking assist option to save money.

Many new technologies have been introduced into the automotive market, and drivers must de-cide if these options are a worthy investment.

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This is the prime season for road trips, which many people feel are the most affordable vacation option available. They also provide unsur-passed views of the countryside and the ability to slow down and customize the trip as desired.

Packing the car for a road trip can be complicated. Although the goal may be to cram as much as possible into the car and get on the road quickly, part of the safety plan for this year’s adventure should in-clude packing properly to avoid in-jury.

Americans and Canadians com-bined drive trillions of miles in any given year. Although it is dif-ficult to make a direct comparison between how many people choose driving as opposed to flying, when comparing data from the Federal Highway Administration and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, for every mile Americans flew they drove about six more in 2011. With so many miles clocked on the road, it is essential to make the experience as safe as possible -- and that means properly securing belongings in a vehicle before getting on the road.

In 2009, a laptop computer be-came a projectile that killed its own-er. Heather Storey of Surrey, Brit-ish Columbia, was driving to work when her vehicle was hit by a tow

truck. Her laptop was propelled at such a force that it caused a deadly injury to her head.

Unsecured or improperly packed items in a car or truck have the po-tential to cause serious injury when on the road or, at the very least, may obscure visibility when driving, says Consumer Reports. The orga-nization and others offer drivers a series of tips that can help make travel safer.

* Adjust tire pressure prior to travel. Consult the owners manual to determine the proper tire pres-sure when the vehicle is carrying a full load. This will not only help alleviate unnecessary wear and tear on the tires, but also can help to pre-vent a tire blow-out.

* Know the car’s limits. It also is important to stay below the maxi-mum permitted weight or maxi-mum load capacity for the car or truck. Consumer Reports says that the capacity for small SUVs can span from 825 pounds to 1,155 pounds. Midsize SUVs may carry anywhere from 900 pounds to 1,405 pounds. Minivan capacities can vary signifi-cantly as well. The load capacity is specified in the owner’s manual.

* Store the heaviest items at the lowest, most central part of the ve-hicle. This helps reduce effects on handling that can lead to problems

with steering or braking. Drivers should keep the overall center of gravity lower to help reduce the risk of rollover.

* Make sure everything is se-cured in the car or truck. Use crates or boxes to house smaller items. Use straps or rope to tie down anything loaded in the back of a truck or SUV to the vehicle’s cargo anchors. Load as much as you can into a car’s trunk to avoid having loose items rolling around inside the passenger area.

* Keep a clear view of mirrors and the rear of the vehicle. Do not pack any items higher than the level of the rear seats. Not only can these items fly forward in the event of sharp braking or a crash, but they also may obscure the driver’s view of the road.

* Invest in a roof rack or cargo box. Only place light items on the roof of the car so you can free up

interior space. Secure roof items tightly, as they will be caught by the updraft while driving and you do not want to send them airborne and onto the roadway. Also, if you do use the roof for storage, be aware of how much taller the items will make your vehicle so you know if you can safely drive beneath under-passes.

* Make sure passengers can be seated safely. Packing a car doesn’t always mean being able to fit suit-cases and belongings. It also means ensuring passengers can ride safely. Do not seat more passengers than can be restrained by the seat belts in the car. If there is not enough room, it is safer in the long run to take two cars.

Pack a vehicle safely and make sure it is maintained before head-ing out on your first road trip of the season.

SC133959

How-to pack a car safely

8 ECT FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013