Prudent driving can result in major fuel cost cut

With gas prices spiraling upward and no end in sight, many motorists are wondering how they can conserve fuel. The best answer appears to be a change in driving habits.

Here are some tips for cutting gasoline consumption.

• Drive slower. Keeping highway speed to 55 mph uses 21 percent less gasoline than racing down the freeway at 70 mph.

• Keep your foot still. Driving at a steady speed can help conserve fuel.

• Accelerate slowly but steadily. The harder you step down on the accelerator, the more gas your engine is going to drink.

• Shift gears. If you drive a manual shift vehicle, upshift before your engine ‘winds up.’ When driving at highway speeds, change to the highest gear as soon as possible.

• Roll up the windows. Open windows cause aerodynamic drag, reducing your mileage by as much as 10 percent.

• Think ahead. Almost everyone has to drive, but cutting unnecessary trips and consolidating errands can save gas.

• Plan your route. Avoid curvy or hilly roads whenever possible. Climbing and turning force your engine to work harder, resulting in poorer mileage.

• Stay on the pavement. Dirt or gravel roads can result in a mileage penalty of as much as 30 percent.

• Stay in sync. Stoplights are usually timed for a particular speed. Driving steadily at slightly below the legal speed limit can allow you to hit a series of green lights.

• Watch the left foot. Even a slight pressure on the clutch or brake can make the engine work harder, exacting a mileage penalty.

• Don't warm up. Prolonged warm up periods waste gas. Most cars can be driven cold, as long as they're not immediately accelerated to high speed.

• Hit the gas station early. Your gasoline-buying dollar will go further if you fill up when at the coolest time of the day. Gasoline is densest when the air temperature is low, giving you more bang for your buck.

• Tune it up. Cars that are regularly maintained run most efficiently and use the least gas. Be sure and replace fuel and air filters frequently.

• Pump up your tires. Inflating tires to the maximum recommended level can reduce rolling resistance, resulting in improved mileage.

• Sweat it out. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.

• Drop some weight. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and interior of your car. Every extra pound in your car can decrease mileage.

• Consider the alternatives. Think about taking carpooling, public transportation, walking or riding a bike. Nothing saves gas like leaving your car in the garage.

Adapted Text

Sensible driving can save fuel

The price of gas has been going up. We do not know when it will end. Many people want to know how they can conserve fuel. The best way to conserve fuel is to change driving habits.

The accelerator, or gas pedal, has a lot to do with how much gas you use. The faster you drive, the more gas you use. Drivers should slow down a bit to conserve fuel. Driving at a steady speed helps to save how much gas you use. Accelerating slowly to get to the speed you want to go helps conserve gas too.

The more you drive your car, the more gas you use. Think about the places you need to go before leaving your home. You should run as many errands that you need to do in one trip. Always try to pick the shortest route when going somewhere.

Cars that are in good working condition use less fuel. Take care of your vehicle. Make sure the engine is running well and is tuned-up often. Have a mechanic check it if something seems wrong.

Tires are important, too. Keep the tires inflated properly on a car. It will help the vehicle roll better and will get you better mileage. If a car's tires are worn then they should be replaced.

Finally, think about using your car less. Walk or ride a bike if you do not have far to go. Carpool or take public transportation when you can. Leaving your car at home really saves gas.

There are many ways a person can conserve fuel. These are just a few ideas that can help you save some money at the gas pump. Try changing the way you drive and see how much it saves you!

Choose the correct alternative (a-d) and translate the sentences into Russian.

1. ♦ to get to the speed you want to go helps conserve gas.

a) Accelerating quickly b) Going fast and slow

c) Pumping the accelerator d) Accelerating slowly

2. The price of gas has ♦.

a) been going up b) been going down

c) tripled over the last two months d) stayed the same for years

3. Cars that ♦ use less fuel.

a) need a tune up b) do not run well

c) are in good working condition d) have flat tires

4. You should run as many errands that you need to do in ♦.

a) one trip b) the most trips possible

c) many trips d) one week

5. The best way to conserve fuel is to ♦.

a) add water to the tank b) change driving habits

c) drive faster to get places quicker d)make more trips

6. The more you drive your car, ♦.

a) the less gas you use b) the more gas you use

c) the more money you save d) the more fuel you conserve

7. The faster you drive, the ♦.

a) more money you save b) less gas you use

c) better gas mileage you get d) more gas you use

8. Many people want to know how they can ♦.

a) afford fuel b) conserve fuel

c) make their own fuel d) sell their cars

9. Drivers should ♦ a bit to save more gas.

a) swerve b) slow down

c) speed up d) drive up hill

10. To help conserve fuel, you could ♦ if you do not have far to go.

a) drive your car b) drive fast

c) take a friend's car d) walk or ride a bike

What have you learnt?

1. Why are people looking for ways to conserve fuel?

a) Gas prices have been going up.

b) Gas prices have gone down.

c) There is no gas left to buy.

2. How could carpooling help save money?

a) When people travel together, they can share the cost of gas.

b) Special carpooling gas is less expensive.

c) Carpooling actually costs more than driving alone.

3. Why does it cost more to drive fast?

a) Driving fast uses more fuel.

b) Driving fast does not cost more.

c) Driving fast uses less fuel.

4. Why is it important to take care of your car?

a) A car that works well uses less fuel.

b) Cars that are taken care of look better.

c) Taking care of your car is like taking care of your child (or your sweetheart).

5. Why should you run as many errands as possible in one trip?

a) Making one trip is more expensive.

b) Making only one trip saves fuel.

c) Making many trips saves fuel.

Lesson FIVE

A. The quiz below is to demonstrate how much you know about driving in general and driving in the UK in particular.

1. In the UK, what are road distances and speeds measured in? (b) What is the equivalent of this in kilometres?

2. Only the driver and front seat passenger in a car are required by law to wear seat belts. Is this true or false?

3. What must motorcycle drivers (and their passenger) always wear? (b) Does this apply to everyone in the UK?

4. Unless indicated otherwise, what is the maximum speed: (a) in built-up areas? (b) On single carriageways (= one lane going in both directions)? (c) on dual carriageways (= two lanes going in both directions) (d) on motorways?

5. What does give way mean?

6. People in the UK drive on the right side of the road. Is this true or false?

7. A man is driving a car and talking to someone over a hand-held mobile phone. Is he breaking the law? (b) A woman is driving a car and talking to someone over her mobile phone. She is not holding the phone, but is speaking through a headpiece that is connected to the phone. Is she breaking the law?

8. What is a Breathalyser ™, who would use one; when would they use it?

9. What telephone number should you call if you are involved in, or witness, a serious road accident?

10. Are you committing an offence if you are driving a vehicle and are involved in a hit-and-run accident?

11. If you are involved in an accident (even a minor one) with another vehicle, what information should you get from the other drivers involved?

12. If you are involved in an accident, what is it advisable not to do?

13. Someone accuses you of tailgating. What is this?

14. You are at a junction and you are waiting to pull out onto a busy road. A driver on this road lets you pull out in front of him / her. What should you do?

15. You are driving along a narrow road that is just wide enough for one car. Another car is coming towards you. He/she quickly flashes his headlights. Is he/she: (a) saying that he/she is claiming right of way, and you should stop and wait for him/her to pass? or (b) saying that he/she is stopping his/her car to let you have right of way?

16. When should you use your horn?

17. You are driving your car and arrive at a zebra crossing (= black and white stripes painted across the road, with an orange light at each end). A pedestrian is waiting here to cross the road. Do you have to stop?

(Keys are on page 96)

B. Discuss each point of the quiz comparing it with driving in Russia and driving rules.

Ex. 1. A. Unscramble the words and phrases related to vehicles and driving. The first letter of each word is in bold.

a) psendieg h) unudrobota

b) dyjriiogn i) cfratfi hslitg

c) ayisqdlifu j) sedaentrip gssinocr

d) taoveker k) unnijoct

e) seeerrv l) dossrosacr

f) dinitcea m) dpese mareac

g) akber n) cfratfi nglicam

B. Read the text below unscrambling the words in bold. Check your reading speed.

Drivers in Britain need a driving eiclecn to show that they have passed their driving test and are qualified to drive, enisarcnu in case they have an accident, and ador axt (money paid to the government which allows them to use the road) before they can drive their cars on public roads. If they take their car to another country, they need a nerge drac to show that they are insured to drive.

Ex. 2. Match the vehicle in table 1 with the definitions in table 2.

Table 1

city car ٭ coach ٭ convertible ٭ estate ٭ 4x4 hatchback ٭ motorcycle ٭ MPV pick-up truck ٭ saloon ٭ scooter ٭ sports car

Table 2

(A) A car with (usually) four doors which can carry four or five people. (B) A vehicle with an open back for carrying goods. (C) A two-wheeled cycle powered by an engine. (D) A car where the back opens upwards and is used as a door for goods. (E) A very small car (often for two people) which is very economical to run. (F) A large car with a flat space behind the seats where parcels or suitcases can be put. (G) A large car for up to eight people. (H) A small motorcycle with a curving shield in front of the seat and a platform for the feet. (I) A fast car, often for just two people. (J) A vehicle designed to drive over rough ground. (K) A car with a roof that folds back or can be removed. (L) A large comfortable bus operated for long-distance travellers.

Ex. 3. The underlined words are in the wrong sentences. Write the correct word for each sentence.

1. The brake is the part of a car that you press with your foot to change gear.

2. The driving test is the part of a car that starts the engine.

3. The accelerator is the part of a car you press with your foot to make it go slower or stop.

4. A clutch is an official document that allows you to drive a car.

5. The ignition is the part of a car that you press with your foot to make it go faster.

6. A driving licence is an official examination that you have to pass to be able to drive.

Ex. 4. Write the missing words in the sentences below. Choose from the following table and make any changes that may be necessary.

accelerate	dip one’s headlights	park
brake	do a U-turn	reverse
break down	give way	skid
break the speed limit	keep to the speed limit	stall
change gear	overtake	tow

1. He usually ♦ when he’s driving. So if the sign says 90, then he never drives at more than 90 kilometres per hour.

2. To ♦ means to drive backwards.

3. You usually ♦ to make a car slow down or stop.

4. When driving at night you should always ♦ when you see a car coming towards you. Otherwise you can blind the driver.

5. This car can ♦ from 0-100 kilometres per hour in under ten seconds.

6. To ♦ a car means to drive past it.

7. If a car ♦ another one, it pulls it along behind it, usually using a rope or a chain.

8. It is always very difficult to ♦ in the High Street, so we usually go to one of the large car parks near the station.

9. One of the most difficult things when learning to drive is to ♦ smoothly. That’s why many people prefer automatic cars.

10. When a car ♦, it turns round in a half circle then drives back the way it came.

11. He was fined for ♦. He was doing over 100 kilometres per hour in a built-up area where limit was 50.

12. In Britain, when you reach a roundabout you should always ♦ to traffic on your right.

13. When a car ♦, the engine stops suddenly, because there is not enough power or speed to keep it going. This can sometimes happen when you first drive a car on a cold, frosty morning.

14. He was late for the meeting because his car ♦ just outside Brighton.

15. It is very easy for a car to ♦ and go out of control if the road are wet or icy.

Ex.5. Fill in the blanks with the verbs given in the box. Mind the Grammar!

indicate start brake park overtake push reverse

1. You'll be lucky if you find anywhere to ♦ round here on a Saturday afternoon.

2. Wouldn't it be much easier if you ♦ into that parking space?

3. The driver behind didn't know what you were doing. You really should ♦ before you turn.

4. Be careful - you can't see far enough ahead to ♦ safely on this stretch of road.

5. A dog ran out into the road and I had to ♦ really hard.

6. My neighbour couldn't ♦ his car this morning, so I helped him ♦ it.

Ex. 6. Complete the text with the words in the box.

change gear indicate in first gear in neutral move off overtake park reverse slow down speed up start up

Before you switch on the engine, fasten your seatbelt and check that the car is ♦. Now you can ♦ the engine by putting the key in the ignition and turning it. Put the car ♦, check in your mirrors to see that no other cars are coming and ♦ slowly, ♦ by pressing your foot down on the accelerator and remember to ♦. If you want to ♦ another car, check in your mirrors and ♦ to show that you are moving out. To ♦, press your foot down on the brake. When you arrive at your destination, you should look for somewhere to ♦ the car. To do this, it is sometimes easier to ♦ the car into the space, but remember to check in your mirrors before you start moving backwards.

Ex. 7. Match up these common expressions and write down your own sentences, then exchange the notes with your partner to correct them.

1. central	a. features
2. safety	b. paint
3. power	c. locking
4. alloy	d. conditioning
5. air	e. wheels
6. metallic	f. steering

Ex. 8. A. Match the verbs with the words and phrases.

1. fasten	a. the handbrake off
2. change	b. gear
3. start	c. the headlights on
4. take	d. your seatbelt
5. put	e. the engine

B. Now use one of the phrases to answer the questions below.

1. What do you do when it starts to get dark?

2. What do you do to protect yourself in case you have an accident?

3. What don't you do if your car is automatic?

Ex. 9. Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box.

insurance repairs tax comprehensive servicing

It costs more than you think to run a car. First, there's the road ♦, which seems to get more expensive every year. Then there's ♦, which is very expensive if you are young. If you run an old car, you don't need ♦ insurance - 'third party, fire, and theft' will do. If you're lucky your car will pass its annual MOT test. (The MOT is the annual car test by the Ministry of Transport. What is it called in your language?) All cars need regular ♦. If it breaks down, you've got the extra cost of ♦.

Ex. 10. A. Match the two halves of the following common collocations.

1. traffic	a. ticket
2. petrol	b. lines
3. unleaded	c. station
4. double yellow	d. jam
5. parking	e. petrol

B. Now use the expressions in these sentences:

1. Diesel, ♦, and LRP (lead replacement petrol) are the three basic kinds of fuel you can buy at a ♦.

2. If you park on ♦, you'll get a ♦, or you might be towed away!

3. Avoid the rush hour and you won't get stuck in a ♦.

Ex. 11. Insert the italicized word combinations into the sentences below.

hard shoulder inside lane middle lane outside lane

emergency phone slip road

1. The ♦ is normally used by lorries and other slow-moving traffic.

2. The ♦ is used for overtaking.

3. The ♦ is sometimes called the fast lane and is used for overtaking when the other two lanes are full.

4. Never stop on the ♦ unless you have to use an ♦.

5. You use a ♦ to enter and leave the motorway.

Ex. 12. A. Match these words to make common expressions.

1. speed	a. collision
2. reasonable	b. driving
3. dangerous	c. limit
4. head-on	d. speed

B. Now use the expressions to complete the following sentences.

1. Slow down a bit. There's a 50 mph ♦ on this road.

2. Two drivers were killed this morning in a ♦ on a busy road just outside Derby.

3. David Petty, who caused the death of a cyclist after ignoring a red light, has been charged with ♦.

4. If he'd been driving at a ♦, he'd have had time to stop.

Ex. 13. If you have a road accident you are to give a statement to the police. Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box.

crash skid damage lose knock swerve

I was driving at a reasonable speed along Brackley Road when a cyclist suddenly pulled out into the road in front of me. He took me completely by surprise and I very nearly ♦ him down. Fortunately, I managed to ♦ and avoid him, but the surface was icy and the car ♦ across the road. I tried to steer back towards the middle of the road, but I ♦ control of the car and ♦ into a brick wall on the opposite side of the road. I cut my head and injured my shoulder in the accident. The car was badly ♦, but fortunately nobody was seriously injured.

Ex. 14. Before reading the text make sure you know the answers to the following questions.

1. Have you ever heard about ASV?

2. What do you think is the difference between ASV and a typical car of today?

3. What is the main task to be solved by an ASV’s designers?

4. Imagine that you are offered to join a research team working at an ASV design. What interesting ideas would you suggest to improve this car?

Text A. Read the text and translate it using a dictionary if necessary.