negative response draft

To: Nicole Tolman

From: Bill

Subject: Honda Civic 2005

Dear Nicole,

                Thank you for contacting me about any concerns you have about your 2005 Honda Civic.  Choosing a car that gets great gas mileage is very wise and I admire your efforts to budget you money.

                I took a look at the website you provided for me along with the gas mileage data. The data represents all cars in the industry that were made after the year of 2008. I apologize for any misunderstandings but company policy only allows cost adjustments to be made before purchase, however, while looking at the site, I found a list of tips that might help you save on fuel costs which is provided for you below along with the link to the website.

• ·         Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.¹

Driver feedback devices can help you drive more efficiently. A recent study suggests that they can help the average driver improve fuel economy by about 3% and that those using them to save fuel can improve gas mileage by about 10%.²

That's like saving about $0.10 to $0.35 per gallon.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	5%–33%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.17–$1.15/gallon

• ·         Observe the Speed Limit

While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.

You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas.³

Observing the speed limit is also safer.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	7%–14%*
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.24–$0.49/gallon*
* Average savings, assuming drivers are willing to slow down 5 to 10 mph and fuel costs $3.47 per gallon.

• ·         Avoid Hauling Cargo on Your Roof

Hauling cargo on your roof increases aerodynamic drag (wind resistance) and lowers fuel economy.

A large, blunt roof-top cargo box, for example, can reduce fuel economy by around 2% to 8% in city driving, 6% to 17% on the highway, and 10% to 25% at Interstate speeds (65 mph to 75 mph).⁴

Rear-mount cargo boxes or trays reduce fuel economy by much less—only 1% or 2% in city driving and 1% to 5% on the highway.

If you need to use an external cargo container, removing it when it's not in use will save fuel and money.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	2%–17%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.07–$0.59/gallon

• ·         Remove Excess Weight

Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	1%–2%/100 lbs
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.03–$0.07/gallon

• ·         Avoid Excessive Idling

Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear.

If you'd like to promote idle reduction in your area, the Clean Cities IdleBox Toolkit can help you get started.

Fuel Cost Savings:	$0.01–$0.03/min. (AC off)
	$0.02–$0.03/min. (AC on)

• ·         Use Cruise Control

Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

• ·         Use Overdrive Gears

When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.47/gallon.

For more details, go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp

Also, I know we touched on the subject of the faulty odometer, and just as a reminder, the warranty on all cars with faulty odometers has been extended by 10% and your record has been updated.

                 

            Feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns you have and I look forward to seeing you again in the future!

Thanks again and drive safe!

Sincerely,

Bill