Green Driving
In most cases, green driving also provides other benefits, such as saving on gas money, avoiding stress, or making new friends.
Here are our top 22 tips for green driving. Start by adjusting your driver behavior. Then you might want to make sure your car is well maintained and serviced. In the end you might decide to change some of your travel habits.
1. Avoid aggressive driving.
Aside from being unsafe in most cases, rapid acceleration, speeding and sharp breaking also will reduce the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Avoiding aggressive driving can save you as much as 30% on the highway and 5% in the city1.
2. Observe the highway speed limit.
The fuel efficiency of most vehicles drops severely at speeds above 60 mph. Observing the speed limit is not only safer, it also is greener and will save you as much as 20% on fuel consumption1.
3. Avoid idling.
Modern cars are designed for quick start without the need to push on the gas pedal. Switching your engine off while the car is not moving will save you money and will spare yourself and others from exhaust fumes and engine noise.
4. Use the cruise control.
Using cruise control on the highway is like having a computer managing the speed and fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
5. Don't try to accelerate when climbing a hill.
In terms of fuel efficiency, going up a hill is the worst time to push on the gas pedal: your fuel consumption rises dramatically while you see almost no increase in speed. Try instead to keep the same speed. Or better yet, allow the car to slow down a little.
6. Use AC at high speeds and open the windows at low speeds.
While using the AC increases your car's fuel consumption, keeping the windows open significantly reduces its aerodynamic efficiency. The solution is to use the AC at high speeds, when the aerodynamic efficiency of your car directly affects its fuel efficiency. Turn the AC off and roll down the windows when traveling at a low speed and the increased drag has much less of an effect on fuel consumption.
7. Stop and ask for directions.
Stop and ask for directions whenever you are not sure you are going the right way. It will save you time, gas, and maybe some aggravation.
8. Remove excess weight from your car.
Unnecessary items in your trunk or back seat increase the amount of weight your engine needs to move, decreasing its gas mileage by as much as 2% for every 100 lbs1.
9. Keep your engine tuned.
Even an engine that seems to be running satisfactorily once tuned can increase its efficiency and its gas mileage by 4% on average. Repairing a serious problem could instead improve its gas mileage by as much as 40%1.
10. Check and replace the air filter.
A clogged air filter significantly reduces your car's performance and fuel efficiency. Checking your air filter regularly and replacing it at the right time could save you as much as 10% on fuel consumption1.
11. Keep the proper tire pressure.
Properly inflated tires are safer, last longer, and can improve your car's fuel efficiency by 3%1.
12. Use LRR tires (Low-Rolling Resistance).
LRR tires are specially designed to offer less resistance to motion than typical tires, therefore reducing gas consumption by as much as 4%3. LRR tires are available from most major tire manufacturers. Consider switching to LRR tires next time your tires are due to be replaced.
13. Remove the roof rack when it is not needed.
The roof rack on top of your car reduces its aerodynamic efficiency, therefore also reducing its fuel efficiency by as much as 5%1.
14. Keep your car clean.
Keeping your car washed and waxed not only makes it look better, it also improves its aerodynamic efficiency and could improve its fuel efficiency by as much as 7%2.
15. Use the car wash instead of the hose.
When it's time to get the car washed, save some water by taking it to the car wash instead of washing it in your driveway. On average, a commercial car wash uses 45 gallons of water per car, while it is estimated that the typical driveway wash consumes approximately 100 gallons.
16. Combine errands.
Try combining multiple errands into one trip. Not only will it save you gas, it will save you time. Combining errands might save you from needlessly retracing your path, and driving while your engine is already warmed up improves your car's fuel efficiency, even if you are covering the same amount of miles as if you were taking multiple trips. All it takes is a little planning.
17. Don't travel during rush hour.
If your work hours are flexible, schedule your workday and commute so you don't travel during rush hour. It will spare you from sitting in traffic and save you gas.
18. Use car pools and ride-share programs.
Car pools are a great way to alleviate traffic, save on gas money, get to work faster while driving in the HOV lane, and may even spark new friendships. Talk to your neighbors and co-workers to find out if your schedules and locations coincide, or check your local ride-share programs.
19. Use public transportation.
Public transportation runs whether you use it or not. Using public transportation when possible means not adding to pollution, and saving money for gas and car maintenance.
20. Avoid using a roof rack.
Transporting objects on top of your car while traveling will significantly reduce its aerodynamic efficiency, therefore decreasing its gas mileage. Whenever possible place the items you transport in the trunk or on the back seat, and remove the roof rack when you're not using it.
21. Use the most efficient vehicle.
If you have more than one vehicle, consider using the most efficient vehicle suitable for the trip.
22. Walk or ride a bike.
If you're just going around the corner to get the newspaper, the most fuel-efficient vehicle very well might be your bicycle, or simply your feet. Consider avoiding driving every time you have an alternative. It's not only better for the environment, it's better for your health.
Note: Fuel efficiency and savings figures provided by the following sources:
1www.fueleconomy.gov (United States Department of Energy and the environmental Protection Agency)