'TOP TEN' Fuel Saving Tips From Ford

DEARBORN, Mich., May 24, 2007 -- More Americans will embark on family vacations and other getaways over this Memorial Day weekend than in 2006, according to a recent survey conducted by AAA. The travel authority also forecasts that more will travel by car over the holiday than a year ago: 32.1 million motorists will drive, up 1.8 percent from last year. With gas prices getting higher, traveling any distance by car can be expensive. However, there are steps motorists can take to get the most from a tank a gas.

Fuel efficiency experts agree that making simple changes to driving habits can increase fuel economy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving such as rapid acceleration, speeding and braking can lower gas mileage significantly.

Below are a few tips from Ford to help drivers conserve fuel and save money at the pump, while at the same time helping the environment and improving traffic safety.

   1. Slow down and watch speed -- Drive 55 miles per hour instead of 65 to
      save fuel.  EPA estimates a 10-15 percent improvement in fuel economy
      by following this tip.  Also, aim for a constant speed.  Pumping the
      accelerator sends more fuel into the engine.  Using cruise control
      whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speeds and conserve
      fuel.

   2. Accelerate and brake smoothly -- Accelerating smoothly from a stop and
      braking softly conserves fuel.  Fast starts, weaving in and out of
      traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the car
      components, such as brakes and tires, more quickly.  Maintain a safe
      distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow
      for more time to brake and accelerate gradually.

   3. No idling -- Today's engines don't need a warm up.  Start the car
      immediately and gently drive away.  Don't leave your car idling.
      Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine
      off in non-traffic situations, such as at bank and fast food drive-up
      windows, when idling more than 30 seconds.

   4. Check your tires -- Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended
      tire pressure.  This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use
      by 3-4 percent. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and
      reduce fuel economy.  They also wear more rapidly.  Check the
      vehicle's door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure.

   5. Be kind to your vehicle -- Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep
      vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned.  Wheels that
      are fighting each other waste fuel. Replace air filters as
      recommended.  Use a fuel with good detergent additives to keep the
      vehicle engine clean and performing efficiently. Always consult the
      Owner's Manual for proper maintenance.

   6. Travel light -- Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack.  The
      added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy,
      reducing it by as much as 5 percent.  Remove excess weight from the
      vehicle. Unnecessary weight, such as unneeded items in the trunk,
      makes the engine work harder and consumes more fuel.

   7. Minimize use of heater and air conditioning -- Use heating and air
      conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine.  Decreasing
      your usage of the air conditioner when temperatures are above 80
      degrees can help you save 10-15 percent of fuel.  Use the vent setting
      as much as possible.  Park in the shade to keep car cool and reduce
      the need for air conditioning.

   8. Close windows at high speeds -- Don't drive with the windows open
      unless your keep your speed under 50 mph.  Driving with the windows
      open at highways speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and
      lowers fuel economy.

   9. Choose the right oil -- Use good quality, energy-conserving EC oils
      with the viscosity grade recommended in the Owner's Manual. Look for
      cans marked with the symbol ECII, which is the American Society of
      Testing Materials logo for fuel-efficient oils.

   10. Consolidate trips -- Plan ahead to consolidate your trips. This will
       enable you to bypass congested routes, lead to less idling, fewer
       start-ups and less stop-and-go traffic. Whenever feasible, share a
       ride and/or carpool.

For additional information on how to save on gas, Ford has assembled an "Eco-driving module." To test your knowledge or learn more, visit the Driving Skills for Life web site and click on the "Eco-driving" module:

http://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/