Soaring gasoline prices, with even regular unleaded costing more than $2 a gallon, may have stretched many faculty and staff members' budgets. But several practical changes in driving habits can help cut fuel consumption and save money.

Joe Richmond, UNT associate director of transportation services, suggests taking e-Trans buses to run errands around the main campus or to go to the Eagle Point Campus and Research Park. Information about summer routes is available at www.unt.edu/etrans/routes.html.

To save fuel, here are suggestions motorists may want to consider from the web site The Dollar Stretcher (www.stretcher.com):

• Check tire pressure once a month. Under-inflated tires can cut fuel economy by 2 percent per pound. Most vehicle owner's manuals include information on inflation levels.
• Remove excess weight from vehicle trunks. On average, carrying around an extra 200 pounds costs one mile per gallon, or about a 4 percent reduction in gas mileage.
• When possible, decrease the use of your auto air conditioner as it can reduce gas mileage by 10 to 20 percent.
• Avoid fast accelerations from stoplights and speeding.
• Turn off your engine when you're in a drive-through line. Idling wastes gas.
• Combine several errands in one trip.

BY NANCY KOLSTI nkolsti@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Regents approve Center for Technology Development and Transfer
• Regents act on three tenure appeals
• North Texas Exes invite faculty, staff to attend the MoUNTain Music Institute
• Fall 2005 final exam schedule established
• UNT hosting high school graduations in May, June
• Staff Council elects officers for 2005-06
• Several staff awards presented at President's Staff Sack Lunch
• UNT administrators address faculty questions during town hall meeting
• Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Writers Conference to be held this summer

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