Tips to Save Gas and Drive Green
Simple Ways to Cut Gasoline Costs and Carbon Footprint
Aug 28, 2008
With many drivers faced with record high prices at the gas pump, many motorists are seeking new ways to save on gas consumption and gasoline costs. At the same time, many drivers are also taking the opportunity to try out a new “green” method of driving termed “EcoDriving,” which not only cuts fuel costs for drivers, but it also reduces their carbon footprint.
"Ecodriving" Tips to Save Gasoline
Drivers who are interested in saving on gas costs and to drive “green” are in luck, as one new website is offering useful and practical tips for motorists, with an understanding that carpooling, using public transportation or buying a hybrid car isn’t an option for every driver.
EcoDrivingUSA.com offered these tips and many more for drivers who are looking to reduce their negative impact on the environment, while using as much as 15 percent less gasoline.
- Avoid sudden starts. Sudden acceleration burns more gasoline and strains the vehicle’s motor. Instead, accelerate gradually to save on gas and to reduce the stress on various car engine components.
- Time your approach to traffic lights. Instead of accelerating and suddenly braking on an approach to a stop, put the car into neutral and coast to a stop. After all – the light is red, so there’s really no need to rush to wait in line. The same technique can be applied to stop signs and other anticipated stops.
- When possible, opt for opening the windows instead of using the air conditioner. A car’s air conditioner can suck up a significant amount of gasoline, not to mention putting strain on the vehicle’s engine when the car is in traffic, occasionally leading to over-heating. Instead of keeping the car’s AC on, roll down the windows and test the air – drivers will find that even on hot days, the air temperature will be quite comfortable once the vehicle reaches a reasonable speed.
- Opt to coast in neutral. When driving on a straightaway, when traveling down hill or toward a red light, put the car in neutral. Shifting a car into neutral will lower a car’s RPM, and when the RPM is lower, so is the car’s gas consumption, and less gas consumption means less carbon emissions and less frequent fill-ups.
- Maintain a steady speed when possible. According to EcoDrivingUSA.com, “every five mph you drive over 60 mph is equivalent to paying 20 extra cents per gallon of gas.”
- Maintain proper tire air pressure. On the next stop to fill the gas tank, drivers should take a minute to check the tires’ air pressure. Proper air pressure will mean a smoother, more efficient ride. Properly inflated tires can also mean an improvement in a car’s mileage by more than three percent, which may not sound like a lot, but multiply that by the life of the vehicle and that’s a significant savings.
Regular oil changes, air filter changes and other good routine maintenance measures are also recommended in order to keep a vehicle running smoothly. For more information on how to maintain a vehicle in a way that’s conducive to better gas mileage and a reduced carbon footprint, visit EcoDrivingUSA.com
Looking for more tips on driving? Check out How to Drive in the Snow for advice on how to drive during a snow storm and how to avoid car accidents when winter weather strikes.
