2004 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 247

Trailer towing How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too Improving fuel economy is easy−just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs: D Do not rest your foot on brake pedal. This causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy. D Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption. 40p003b D Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See page 289 for instructions. D Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption. Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your Toyota. It is not designed for trailer towing. D Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel. D Accelerate slowly and Avoid jackrabbit starts. slowing down. wastes power. smoothly. D Keep the bottom of your vehicle free driving from mud, etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion. D Avoid continuous speeding up and Stop−and−go D Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes. whenever possible. D Keep your vehicle tuned−up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. D Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams 235