Fuel prices are rising this summer, and your St Louis Toyota dealer had some smart gas saving tips for you. Whether you are driving from Hazelwood to St. Peters or from St Charles to Florrisant, these tips can help you save gas wherever you go. The highways of Missouri can be a great drive, and with some smart maneuvering you can save gas as you travel.

They highways may feel like they are made for speed, but your St Louis Toyota dealer can tell you it’s not worth it to drive aggressively. Not only can it be dangerous and illegal, it wastes fuel. Studies have shown that moderate driving habits can save you up to 30% on gas, if you can believe it. No matter how much you need to get from Kirkwood to O’Fallon, that 30% adds up quickly, so do yourself a favor. Calm down and take your time. Your wallet will thank you.

Excessive idling is another habit that wastes fuel. There’s no need to shut down the engine at stoplights, but take it from your Toyota dealer, if you are stopping for longer than a minute, shut your engine off. Not only will you save on emissions, you can save nearly 20% on fuel costs as well. Most days are quite pleasant in St Louis, so roll down your windows and enjoy the fresh air for a change.

One gas tip your Toyota dealer has tested is driving with the windows down versus having them up with the A/C on. We all know that A/C eats gas and that having the windows open increases drag on the car. Both methods drain fuel, but surprisingly, these two habits are equal in gas consumption. All summer long, you get to decide if you’d rather have sweet summer winds or pleasant air conditioning in your car. Either way, you’re burning just about the same amount of fuel.

No matter what choices you make, keep your driving safe. Enjoying your vacation is important, but don’t risk yourself or your family getting there. After all, in a Toyota, the drive is part of the adventure!