Five easy ways to drive efficiently
- Drive Smoother - That means not driving aggressively. The Department of Energy suggests that you,
This kind of driving could save you up to 180 gallons of fuel, or $550 a year!
Think "steady and smooth" ... Don't mash the gas when you start up and don't brake hard to stop. - Drive the Speed Limit - Every 5 mph you drive after 60 mph drops your fuel economy by 5%.
When you drive 75 mph vs. 55 mph it's like burning an extra gallon of fuel every 100 miles you drive. So, if you drive 10,000 highway miles, your savings could be as much as $300 per year - Don't Drag - If you are driving on the highway, it is more fuel efficient to roll those windows up and turn the a/c on. However, when you are driving at a slower speed, turn off the a/c and roll the windows down. Now you aren't such a drag! Answers.com notes that
60% of the power required to cruise at highway speeds is taken up overcoming air drag, and this increases very quickly at high speed...a somewhat lower speed can significantly improve fuel economy. - Lighten Up - It takes energy to move all that weight! Remove excess items in your car to lighten the load. This means emptying out that trunk and even removing your roof rack when you aren't using it. The Department of Energy notes that
An extra 100 pounds of weight can reduce your fuel economy by up to 2%. - Keep Tires Inflated - If your tires are inflated properly, you can boost your fuel economy by 3.3%, which adds up to about $0.10 a gallon. This is a simple and easy way to save a little cash, and at the same time you are adding life to your tires and making your driving experience safer.
Other ways to drive even more efficiently:
- Tune Up - Fueleconomy.gov notes that by "fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune," you can improve your gas mileage by 4%. While this percentage may be small, it adds up to about $0.16 a gallon saved, and as the petroleum price keeps increasing that extra change can really start to add up.
- Do it all in one trip - Combine your trips all in one to cut down on your back and forth driving. Planning ahead can save you fuel and time, improving not only your fuel economy, but your own energy efficiency as well!