Reduce gas wastage: Plug in your car during cold weather PDF Print E-mail

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Plugging in your car's engine block heater during the winter will keep the engine warm and prevent you from needing to idle your car to heat the engine.  This is both better for your car and for the environment!  You will be saving on gas and not polluting. Ideally, set your plug in to a timer, so that it only heats the engine about an hour before you go to work each day.

Carbon Savings

If you idle your car 5 minutes less per day, between 220 and 440 pounds of CO2 could be saved each year.  (Source: Hinkle Charitable Foundation )

Take Action Now!

If your car doesn't already have an engine block heater, install one!  Visit Anchorage Municipalities "Plug@20 " website to learn more about engine block heaters and why they are important.  The website also lists automotive businesses that install engine block heaters.

Try these other simple tips to save on gas:

  • Your car’s gas mileage is greatly reduced at high speeds, so follow the posted speed limit! 
  • At high speeds don’t leave your windows down; it reduces the aerodynamics of your car
  • Plan errand routes for minimal driving distance: consolidate!
  • Try to do your errands during off-peak hours to minimize time stuck idling in traffic.
 
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