 In the wake of high gas prices and lots of scrutiny on carbon emissions and global climate change, to many Americans, the car has become a black and white issue, something to avoid at all costs. But many others see the personal auto as a ‘necessary evil’, and within the bigger discourse about how to avoid putting all of those commuter miles and other gas mileage on a vehicle, there are also some other points to be made about how to drive more efficiently.
For those who want to practice best environmental practices but need to travel by car, here are some ways to decrease the impact of those miles on the environment and save a little money as well.
The Drive
One big issue with the energy ratios in driving is in acceleration. It’s those quick starts on the road that really consume gas; you can hear and feel the engine going into overdrive trying to accelerate the vehicle. The more you can gradually accelerate, the better. By the same token, anticipating stops and braking slowly also helps.
In general, for better gas mileage, it’s best to avoid a lot of “start and stop” driving. For many commuters, that’s a no-brainer. Some of the drivers who contend with stop and go traffic have figured out ways to get around the commuter rush by requesting staggered shift hours and skipping rush hour.
Another driving tip: the maximum speed for fuel efficiency is around 65 mph. Paying attention to this standard will save gas and money over the long term. Cruise control can help drivers practice better speed consistency and save gas.
Car Conditions
There are also some basic upkeep issues to help maximize gas mileage in any vehicle. One is in keeping the tires pressurized. Under-inflated tires can really hurt a car’s fuel economy. Keeping them fully aired up to the recommended pressure can save an average of about 1 percent for every three or four pounds of pressure.
Another way to get fuel economy is to keep the vehicle uncluttered: for a lot of drivers who depend on their cars and trucks multiple times per day, this can be difficult to do. Some argue that keeping materials “off-loaded” may require a couple of extra trips as well. That’s why it’s important to strike the right balance between what needs to be in the car on each trip and what does not. Off-loading hefty items will save fuel.
Using Features
When summertime comes around, there’s another big issue drivers talk about: the air conditioner. Besides going through refrigerant, the air conditioning features of most vehicles use extra gas. Drivers who want a scaled down fuel consumption often opt for opening windows rather than basking in a cooled interior. Others argue that at some speeds, wind shear from open windows causes drag that slows the car and uses some fuel. But the general consensus is that using the air conditioner unnecessarily will cost drivers.
These are just some of the ways you can cut down on burning those fossil fuels when going on the road is a necessity.
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