Fuel Efficient Driving

While there are more and more fuel efficient cars, such as hybrids and electric car, entering the market, many Americans are realizing that fuel efficient driving can have a positive impact on the environment regardless of a car's make and model.

By following some common sense rules of the road, anyone can increase their driving efficiency. Fuel efficient driving is not just good for the environment it is also good for your car. The following tips will also help to reduce fuel consumptions, thereby saving you money on gasoline, and also contribute to a better running vehicle.

Here are some tips for eco friendly driving.

• Obey the posted speed limits. Gas mileage improves by more than ten percent when a driver cruises at 55 miles per hour rather than speeding above 65 mph. Use cruise control to keep your speed limit under control.
• Avoid fast starts and hard braking. Aggressive driving is unsafe and can increase unwanted emissions. Studies have shown that the number of emissions increase more than travel time decreases when drivers are heavy on the gas and brake pedals.
• Always keep tires full of air. Under-inflated tires can cause fuel consumption to increase by more than five percent. Check tire pressure at least once very thirty days. The Energy Information Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy, estimates that properly inflated tires could save approximately 800,000 barrels of oil a day.
• Don't idle. Except when you are in traffic, turn off the car if you will be sitting idle for more than thirty seconds. Sitting still with the car running contributes to unnecessary greenhouse gases. Even in the winter, it is unnecessary to warm up a car for more than thirty seconds. Older cars, however, may require more time to warm up. Be sure your car is warmed up sufficiently so that it won't stall. But avoid warming it up longer than necessary.
• Drive in the highest gear possible. Driving in too low of a gear can waste fuel.
• Service your car regularly. A poorly running engine can use as much as fifty percent more fuel than a well-tuned engine and will emit more emissions. Clean air filters and oil will help a car run more efficiently.
• Avoid drag by rolling up the windows when driving on the highway and by removing unnecessary weight from the car. Don't keep unneeded heavy objects in the trunk. Remove bicycle racks and ski racks when they are not in use and never tow a trailer if it is empty.
• Try not to use the car's air conditioner. The air conditioner can increase fuel use by up to ten percent. Crack the windows and or use the ventilation flow to cool the car. When you park the car, do so in a shady spot. This will keep the inside temperatures down and negate the need for the air conditioner when you get back in to drive.
• Plan your trips and combine errands. Try to do your banking, dry cleaning and shopping in the same location to avoid driving too many miles. Map your routes in advance to find the most efficient way to get to and from your destination. Finally, try to avoid driving during peak traffic hours.
• Drive less. The most fuel efficient driving is not driving at all. Walk, ride a bike or take public transportation whenever possible.

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• 50 Specific Actions of Green Living
• Examples of Sustainable Development

• United States Recycling Statistics
• Types of Pollution
• Air Pollution Statistics
• Effects of Water Pollution
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels

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