Mommy Goes Green

May is EcoDriving Month, celebrate by improving your driving habits. EcoDrivingUSA^TM is encouraging all drivers to take simple steps to improve their fuel efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

Subtle changes in driving habits can produce significant benefits, such as saving money at the gas pump and reducing CO2 emissions. Typically, practicing moderate levels of EcoDriving can reduce fuel use by an average of 15%. Here are best practices for green driving:

• Avoid Rapid Starts and Stops.  Avoid tailgating. Gentle acceleration and braking can save more than $1 per gallon.
• Keep on Rolling Traffic.  Slow-and-go is better than stop-and-go.  It can take 20% more fuel to accelarate from a full stop than from 5 miles per hour.
• Use A/C at high speeds.  A/C can reduce mileage, by as much as 20%.  When driving at 40mph or less, open windows.  Over 40mph, close windows and use the A/C ( open windows create drag )
• Maintain Optimum Highway Speed.  According to the EPA, every 5 miles over 60mph is equivalent to paying 20 extra cents per mile.
• Use Cruise Control.  Using cruise control on 10,000 of the miles driven in a year could save $200 and more than 60 gallons in fuel according to the DOT.
• Avoid Idling.  Make it a habit to turn off your engine when waiting at the curb.  For every hour spent idling, an automobile burns more than half a gallon of fuel.
• Buy a Pass for Toll Roads.  Avoid stopping, starting and idling in lines by breezing through toll roads or bridges with a pass.
• Use the Highest Gear Possible.  By using overdrive gearing where possible, such as on the highway, your vehicle’s engine speed goes down, saving fuel and engine wear while reducing CO2 emissions.
• Drive Your Vehicle to Warm It Up.  Today’s engines are designed to run most efficiently when warmed up, so you want to warm up the vehicle by driving it. During the first few minutes of driving when an engine is cold, try to avoid sudden or severe acceleration. Also, you don’t need to step on the gas pedal before starting the engine.
• Keep Your Car Cool. Roll down the windows when getting into a hot car to blow out the hot air. Try to park in the shade. And consider investing in a heat reflector or window shades to shield your vehicle’s interior from the sun. Parking in your garage instead of outdoors can help keep your vehicle cooler in the summer.

Download and print the Ecodriving Tips for hands-on reference and check in tomorrow for Ecodriving Maintenance practices.