 |
 |
 |
Transportation contributes more than 25 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and personal vehicles account for 14 percent of U.S. energy use. The automobile and how we use it is certainly a critical part of our sustainability challenge. Following are some tips on how to modify your driving behavior:
Drive Fewer Miles
Combine Errands - Combine errands into one trip can save time and money. Several short trips can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance.
- Plan your trip ahead of time
Car-pool - Cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save the wear and tear on your car by car-pooling or sharing rides.
Why carpool?
- Reduce pollution
- Save money
- Reduce mileage and wear on your vehicle
- Get to know someone new
- Promote work/life balance with more consistent work hours
- Reduce traffic congestion
Using Alternate Means - Consider the various alternatives to driving that are available.
- Increase your use of mass transit
- Work virtually as often as able
- Ride a bike or walk
Optimize Fuel Efficiency
Drive More Efficiently - Aggressive driving behavior such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and excessive braking can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent.
- Use cruise control
- Avoid idling the engine
Proper Maintenance - Proper vehicle maintenance will not only extend the life of the car but will also improve the number of miles per gallon.
- Keep your engine properly tuned
- Check and replace your air filters regularly
- Keep your tires properly inflated
- Use the recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle
Choosing the Right Vehicle - Pick the most fuel-efficient vehicle in a particular class when making a new car purchase or choose a smaller class.
- Choose a vehicle that is more efficient by an average of 8 miles per gallon and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about two tons annually
- Move to a smaller class of car and save six miles per gallon or more
Did you know...
-
Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today's modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before starting to drive.
-
Driving at 90km/h rather than 100km/h reduces fuel consumption by 10 percent. Driving at 110km/h rather than 90km/h increases fuel consumption by about 20 percent.
-
Your vehicle will be most reliable and fuel efficient with proper maintenance. This is especially true during the cold winter months. Be proactive with your dealer-recommended service schedule and reap the benefits.
