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economist sunrtribune transportation electric cars a few years away from page i look at the tire makers suggested air pressure not the car makers he advised cars and tires now are so individualized you have to get the right combination by itself improper alignment can steal three to 10 per cent of your fuel economy because the tires are being scuffed as theyre going down the road theres also wind resistance to consider getting narrow tires can get you better mileage especially if you have a van or something like that suggested mike lutz manager of auto accessories plus in markham if you have a truck atonneau cover or a tailgate net can alter the wind pattern around it he added but trying to save gas bycustomizing the family runabout with a racers air dam spoiler or side skirts would be a waste lutz said people are still buying the car that they want sure theyre mad but what can they do about it you can always dump the chevy suburban or ford explorer in your life and get something frugal such as a toyota echo which burns 55 litres per 100 km of highway drivingoramere seven in the city the new compact is selling well at richmond hill toyota but the larger corolla is going even faster said sales rep howie lowe people are still buying the car that they want despite steeper gas prices he added sure theyre mad but what can they do about it you might be able to convert your car to natural gas but that could cost you 3000 you could hold out for an electric car ford hopes to be sell- ing a line of electric vehicles called think here in a year or two said chris banks a ford canada spokesperson or you could wait for ballard a canadian company to per fect the hydrogen fuel cell ford debuted compact sedan and sportutility prototype vehicles last year running on the companys fuel cell technol ogy it uses hydrogen from natural gas petroleum or methanol to produce electricity banks said ford plans to put a fuel cell vehicle on the mar ket by 2004 the automobile companies do see the handwriting on the wall and are pursuing this york university economist bemie wojfsaid in the short run people and governments cant do much to reduce dependence on petroleum agreed john banka co- chairperson of environmentalists plan transportation but in the next 20 years providing better public transit encouraging people to live closer to work and building denser neighbourhoods where residents can walk to stores and ser vices will be essential he said because many experts say demand for oil will exceed supply by then staff photosjoerd witteveen stewart abram manager of markham tire checks the tire pressure before putting it back on a car proper pres sure is the key to saving cash at the pump fuel friendly tips here are six tips from the canadian automobile association on reducing your cost at the pump dont let your car idle it wastes more gas than restarting the engine a smooth running engine and clean air filter save gas outoftune engines can use 3 to8 per cent more gas inflate tires properly checking the owners manual for every pound under the recommend ed pressure your car could be burning 2 per cent more gas forget premium fuel fewer than 10 per cent of our cars actually need it buy the lowest grade of gas your manual recommends travel at steady speeds avoiding jackrabbit starts and sudden stops if possible coast to a red light rather than rush up to it combine some of your errands and try shop ping closer to home walking carpooling or tak ing transit source caa central ontario be a big brother ift kids stuff mmxm this message brought to you as a community service of the econombtftribune registration general cosmetic dentistry for the whole family including orthodontics for children adults jaw joint tmj treatment 9054757600 18 crown steel drive warden 14th avenue electronic insurance filing power skating at crosby arena march 1317 limited openings in 900 am school unidnviue ice skating schools i for more information call jack belec os 2947410 marg quigley we 2932296 i 3 markham minor hockey association now accepting applications for select coaches mite to bantam please mail resume to mmha select convener po box 23 markham on l3p 3j5 markham 2000 decorating bring your next decorating project to us for tasteful advice and terrific prices our huge selection of paint wallpaper hardwood carpeting blinds and drapery is sure to inspire you slrfatifiiamtpwii square n o r t he a s t ojwatden hvy the toronto flower garden show march 2226 2000 mitro toronto convention ci-ntri- canadas largest flower garden snow 34 display gardens lonlaws dream garden standard judged flower snow 65 speakers 95 lectures demonstrations evening entertainment marketplace full or the newest hottest garden products south huiumnc 222 hrbinir divd into 416 4478655 ok 18007301 020 purmvnsr sftkfmmsi tslobiaws 0dv iissxsssn fyc s am4mja1ion win i miiha srosont canadian jmwk- gardening canambwoms