10 Clean, Not So Mean, Green Driving Tips

Posted by Lisa Carey

Not everyone that would have liked to was able to purchase a new environmentally friendly car last year, not even with the Cash for Clunkers program. But with gas prices rising once again, or simply because you are trying to do all you can to live a little greener, there are things you can do to drive “green” without buying a new car.
Consider using these 10 simple driving tips to help you drive more eco-friendly and save money too:
-Make a plan
Plan your trips ahead of time. Warmed up cars generate less air pollution. Try to avoid rush hour traffic for running errands.
-Let up on the lead foot
Jackrabbit driving, fast stops and starts, and aggressive driving wastes gas and increase pollution emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says changing your driving habits can gain you as much as 20% in fuel economy.
-Fill’er up
Fill your gas tank whenever possible. Filling your gas tank at one time means less time at the pump. Avoid topping off. Use gas stations that have vapor recovery nozzles whenever possible. Remember frequent visits, topping off, over flow, and spills can add to smog and cause leaks into groundwater.
-Avoid Idleness
Park and walk instead of sitting idle at the drive through window for fast food or banking. Who knows? Those few extra steps cannot only help you stay healthy, but idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off and on again.
-Cool it!
Try using vents, fans, and open windows to cool the inside of your car before using the air conditioning. Use of air conditioners increases emissions, and uses more gas and toxic chemicals.
-No-Speed Racer-No
Go the speed limit! Believe it or not, it is posted not only for traffic control, but also helps you drive greener with less stops and starts. Driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit can reduce your fuel economy by approximately 10%. According to Consumer Reports®, slowing down from 75 MPH to 65 MPH resulted in a 5-mile per gallon performance increase.
-Take a load off!
Empty the cargo area as often as possible. Carrying around an extra 100 lbs can reduce fuel economy by 1%. According to AutoZone, every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your fuel mileage.
-Park it and make your mark
Try to park in the shade or take advantage of car parking accessories like wind shield covers.
-Maintain is the way to gain – gas mileage that is
Make sure to schedule regular maintenance for your car. Changing your air filter, keeping air in your tires, changing filters, and installing new spark plugs or a new oxygen sensor can improve gas mileage. Driving a well maintained car means less pollution released into the air.
-Of course, use public transportation, bicycle, or carpool whenever possible. This will help you save money and the environment.
To find out how eco-friendly your car currently is without these environmentally friendly driving tips, visit fueleconomy.gov to find out your car’s energy impact score.
Together, these tips can save you between 5-10 MPG when used consistently and thoroughly. Of course, we can’t always drive perfectly, so results will vary, but every little thing you do can make a difference. So even if you are not interested in saving the environment, consider how much money you could save and try to drive using these clean, green driving tips.

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