Eco-Driving Practices

Ecodriving practices are subtle changes in driving habits that can produce significant benefits, such as saving money at the gas pump and reducing CO2 emissions. On average, testing has shown that following ecodriving practices can save 15% of your fuel consumption. Continue reading or download this poster to learn more about the ecodriving practices.

Eco-Driving Practices:

1. Believe You Can Reduce Fuel Use and Emissions: Typically, practicing moderate levels of EcoDriving can reduce fuel use by an average of 15%.

2. Avoid Rapid Starts and Stops: Rapid acceleration and braking, often called “jack rabbit” starts and stops, use fuel and cost money at the gas pump.

3. Keep on Rolling in Traffic: Maintaining a constant speed in your commute increases fuel economy, because it takes much more energy to move a stopped vehicle than to keep a vehicle moving.

4. Ride the “Green Wave”: A steady speed often can help drivers avoid red lights and keep the car moving more efficiently.

5. Use Air Conditioning at Higher Speeds: When driving at slower speeds (less than 40 mph), such as driving in urban areas, open windows are better. At higher speeds (over 40 mph), open windows use more fuel than the air conditioner.

6. Maintain an Optimum Highway Speed for Good Mileage: Observing the speed limit and not exceeding 60 mph (where legally allowed) can improve mileage by 7-23%.

7. Use Cruise Control: According to a test conducted by Edmunds.com, cruise control can provide a 7% average fuel savings, compared to driving without the device operating.

8. Navigate to Reduce Carbon Dioxide: Planning driving trips, even Saturday shopping, can help reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions.

9. Avoid Idling: Idling uses gas and because the car is going nowhere, it translates into 0 mpg.

10. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads: By purchasing an “EZ Pass” for a toll road or bridge, a driver avoids stopping and starting the vehicle and idling in lines.

11. 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.

12. Drive Your Vehicle to Warm It Up: Your vehicle will reach its optimum operating temperature much faster when you are driving, rather than idling.

13. Keep Your Cool: Always 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.

14. Obey Your Check Engine Light: When the onboard diagnostics alert light comes on, there is the possibility that your emissions are increased and your fuel economy is going down.

Eco-Driving Maintenance Practices

1. Read Your Owner’s Manual: Typically your owner’s manual will provide a recommended service schedule to keep your vehicle operating efficiently.

2. Use the Recommended Motor Oil: According to the U.S. EPA, you can improve your fuel economy by 1-2% by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.

3. Schedule Periodic Engine Tune-ups: Typically, a tune up can improve gas mileage by an average of 4%.

4. Replace Air Filters Regularly: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a clogged air filter can increase your mileage by 10%.

5. Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly: The Department of Energy estimates that 1.2 billion gallons of fuel were wasted in 2005 as a result of driving on under-inflated tires.

6. Check the Weather, then Check Your Tires: Tire pressure changes an average of 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in air temperature.

7. Invest in a Tire Pressure Gauge: Tire pressure monitoring systems will indicate when your tires are under-inflated by 25%, but it is always advisable to check your tires with a tire pressure gauge before you see the warning light.

8. Reduce Aerodynamic Drag: Wind resistance can reduce mileage, so you can maximize your mileage by removing luggage racks, roof-top carriers, and ski racks when they are not needed.

9. Tighten Your Gas Cap: As much as 30 gallons of gasoline could be lost annually to evaporation when the fuel cap is not fully tightened.

10. Remove Excess Weight from Your Vehicle: An extra 100 pounds in the trunk typically reduces mileage by about 2%.

11. Maintain Your Air Conditioning System — Professionally: Insist on professional service with recovery and recycling so that refrigerant can be reused and not released to the atmosphere.

12. Consider Purchasing Fuel-Efficient Tires: Your tires can make a difference. “Lower rolling resistance” tires are now available, and these tires can improve mileage

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Learn more at EcoDrivingUSA.com