To help residents kick off the summer travel season, the Department of Public Works (DPW) Fleet Administration recently announced several of the fuel-saving tips it uses to help conserve gas on the thousands of the city vehicles it maintains.

 DPW’s Fleet Administration services the vehicles used to collect trash, clean streets and alleys, remove snow, enforce parking, and for other city services. Using the following tips can help residents stretch their gas mileage, DPW officials say.

Don’t top off your gas tank when refueling.

This actually wastes money. Those few extra drops you squeeze in will most likely evaporate into the air, which contributes to pollution.

Cut out unnecessary idling

Idling for long periods of time burns up gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Restarting an engine uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds.

Accelerate smoothly

Cars use extra fuel when accelerating, so avoid quick starts and sudden stops.

Keep tires properly inflated

Under inflated tires need more energy to roll, which means more trips to the gas station. It’s also a good idea to keep a tire gage handy to make sure tires are inflated to manufacturer’s recommended level.

Keep it Clean

Believe it or not, a clean, waxed car improves aerodynamic efficiency, which can mean fewer trips to the pump.

 “With nearly 2,500 vehicles to maintain and fuel, DPW is employing several measures to help offset the steady climb in gas prices,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “We remind residents that these time-honored tips do work and that using them may leave them with more money in their pockets to spend on their vacation.”

 The fuel tips will be aired throughout the summer on the Office of Cable Television’s TV-16 and can be printed by visiting DPW online at www.dpw.dc.gov.