2000 Honda Accord Owner's Manual - Page 163

Fuel Economy The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most important things that affect the fuel mileage you get. Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This will keep it in top operating condition. An important part of that maintenance is the Owner Maintenance Checks (see page 205). For example, an underinflated tire causes more "rolling resistance," which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly. In winter, the build-up of snow on your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceleration, abrupt cornering, and hard braking use more fuel. Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and accelerate smoothly. Depending on traffic conditions, try to maintain a constant speed. Every time you slow down and speed up, your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter how cold it is outside. The engine will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one. The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to cut down on air conditioning use. Use the flow-through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate. Before Driving