| Energy efficiency is not just about what we | | | | hour traffic. Of course, in some larger |
| do at home and at work. Its what we do | | | | cities it always seems like rush hour. As |
| everywhere. Nowhere can we practice energy | | | | much as possible avoid stop and go driving. |
| efficiency that in the way we travel. We can | | | | This will increase your gas mileage and |
| practice energy efficiency in the vehicle we | | | | decrease your vehicles emissions of air |
| choose and the way we drive it. Here are some | | | | pollutants. |
| tips on driving with energy efficiency in | | | | |
| mind. | | | | If you can combine a number of small errands |
| | | | into one trip you can make a big difference |
| Perhaps the number one detriment to driving | | | | in the pollution your car generates and the |
| with energy efficiency is the practice of | | | | gas you use. This is because an engine and |
| jack rabbiting. This is the practice of | | | | catalyst that is warmed up creates |
| flying away from the stop sign or traffic | | | | considerably less pollution. |
| light and driving aggressively. When you | | | | |
| floor that gas pedal not only do you waste | | | | Decreasing the heavy items you carry around |
| gas but you increase the rate of pollution | | | | in your vehicle can help your energy |
| drastically. Even one second of this type of | | | | efficiency as well. Each 100 pounds your car |
| gunning it driving can create almost the same | | | | or truck is hauling reduces its fuel economy |
| amount of carbon dioxide being emitted as if | | | | approximately one percent. |
| you drive normally for 30 minutes. | | | | |
| | | | For those who drive a manual transmission or |
| Energy efficiency in driving is also about | | | | an automatic vehicle with overdrive be aware |
| thinking ahead. Anticipating each stop so | | | | of the fact that the higher the gear you are |
| that you can let your car or truck coast down | | | | driving in the lower the cars RPMs, and thus |
| on its own is easier on the car as well as | | | | the less fuel used for the same drive and the |
| the ozone. Braking hard after a hard | | | | less wear on the engine. Manual vehicle |
| acceleration is not only a cause of increased | | | | transmissions should be shifted up as soon as |
| air pollution but it also wears out your | | | | possible, and automatics should be put in |
| brakes and wastes gas. | | | | overdrive as soon as they hit 55 mph. |
| | | | |
| Up to a certain point energy efficiency is | | | | Air conditioning in vehicles is often |
| helped by slower driving speeds. If you have | | | | necessary but it does increase fuel |
| a car whose dash indicates RPMs note when you | | | | consumption and pollutants. Roll the car |
| are over 3000. Thats generally when youll | | | | windows down, open the doors and air it out |
| start to see the difference in your gas | | | | as much as you can before you turn on the air |
| mileage. For some cars this is 80mph on the | | | | conditioning. |
| straightaway, for others its 65mph. | | | | |
| | | | Follow these tips and youll greatly increase |
| There arent many things that work against | | | | your vehicles energy efficiency. |
| energy efficiency as much as sitting in rush | | | | |