Sustainable Car Driving

[amandajane]

Here is a really good article that people might be interested in:

Overview

You can get yourself a more fuel-efficient car without paying any money. All you have to do is change your driving habits. Instead of flooring the pedal when the light turns green and speeding off to the next red light—where you’ll slam on the brakes—try a smoother, lighter approach to driving. It can actually make a big dent in the gas you use—and consequently lower pollutant emissions and lower gas expenses. And it’s safer to boot!

Sustainable Choices -- On the Road

It's the next bit that I found really interesting:

Tips & Tricks

The Zen of driving: avoid aggression. Don’t accelerate towards stop signs or red lights. Don’t go for “jack rabbit” starts. Aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage as much as 33%.

~ 0~

Worth a thought isn't it :0) 33% - that's a substantial saving. I am a slow driver anyway, having a 1300 car doesn't make for speeding, lol.

[Rebecca]

I don't own a car, it's just too expensive for parking where I live. I use my local CarShare program, which is awesome - you pay a low hourly rate (about $4) which covers everything -- insurance, parking and gas. They are all electric hybrid cars, which are great to drive. I really recommend them. The gas mileage is amazing.

[rodaniel]

Y'know, those are worthwhile recommendations even if fuel efficiency isn't your primary concern. It seems like so many people are such horribly aggressive and/or careless drivers these days.

Few people seem to put even a moment's thought into the repercussions of their driving habits - sure, you might shave 30 seconds off your commute by driving like a crazed lunatic - and if you've failed to plan ahead, this could mean the difference between arriving at work on time or late, but how much later will you be for work if you are dead? Or how much will it matter if you made it to work on time but some other driver was seriously hurt or killed in doing so?

Think I'm overestating the matter? Perhaps you've forgotten that these beasts careening down our roadways are multi-ton affairs - when accidents happen, they can easily be fatal. And SUVs are the worst thing around because of the entirely false sense of security (and superiority) that they foster. All of the air-bags, electronic stabilization, antilock brake systems, and other techno-doodads in the world won't compensate for crappy driving skills or negligent driving attitudes.

Rob

[simplyjan]

And walking small distances instead of taking your car is even better for your pocket (and your health).

Jan

[amandajane]

Hi Rebecca - I wish I could do without. Unfortunately it would be really difficult and far less frugal for me to take public transport to Uni, and there's no one near that I could car pool with. If I get the chance I will though.

rodaniel, I don't think you're overstating it. My old flat mate has a high performance car and drives aggressively. He knows it costs him way more in fuel (and speeding tickets!) to drive like that but he still does.

simplyjan, I am going to start doing that too. The local dairy is about a 15 minute walk, not too far, but I've been lazy so far, bad me!

[sarah_9]

Originally Posted by Rebecca

I don't own a car, it's just too expensive for parking where I live. I use my local CarShare program, which is awesome - you pay a low hourly rate (about $4) which covers everything -- insurance, parking and gas. They are all electric hybrid cars, which are great to drive. I really recommend them. The gas mileage is amazing.

Hello,

Hey this is awesome, good to environment and it saves lots of fuel also, this idea need to be spread all around the world.


Regards,
sarah_9

[bhkyra]

I think I would have a hard time without a car at the moment.

I went without for several years, I ended up purchasing everything I needed online so that it would be delivered to my door. I'm sure I still saved some money after the delivery fees and the public transit costs for getting to work/school etc.. but having a car is worth every penny right now.

I live a little over an hour away from work.. by car. Taking public transit here, while possible, would be positively miserable.

I value my time more than the money I spend on the car.

That said, I do try to make a conscious effort to use the gas pedal as little as necessary, and the brakes as little as necessary, and let the laws of physics help me out wherever possible.

[gt0163c]

I would love to live somewhere where taking public transportation was a viable option for me, but that is not the case. Taking the bus to work (about 10 miles one way, takes me about 20 minutes from garage to parking spot) would take me about 90 minutes not including the three mile walk to get from the closest bus stop to my building. I've thought about car pooling, but I get to work fairly early (in by 6am) and stop at the gym on the way home and I haven't found anyone who lives near me and keeps the same schedule I do on a regular basis.

But, I do what I can. I have a fuel efficient vehicle (Toyota Matrix manual transmission - 32 MPG city) and try to drive conservatively. I combine errands as much as possible. And I do walk places at times. I'm 1/3rd of a mile from my church and walk most Sundays as well as sometimes when I need to be up there in the evenings (if I know I will be home before dark). I love being able to walk to church on Sundays. Just something neat about that.
There are two grocery stores and a Walmart within walking distance, and I do walk sometimes. But I usually do fairly large shopping trips and, if I'm buying anything that needs to be refrigerated or frozen and it's summer time that just doesn't work out (I live in Texas. 20 minutes in 100+ weather does nothing good for milk and ice cream).

I've actually thought about getting a Segway (partly cause they're just so cool) but I haven't been able to justify the expense.

[sarah_9]

Hello,

Hey I have find some useful tips regarding driving and i want to share it with all of you, they are very general in nature, but these are the tips that one should always keep in mind while driving for safety and economy purpose


Adjust your rear view mirror in right angle, vehicle body should occupy 1.3 rd of the mirror and the rest is rear traffic for side mirrors.

Make sure that gear is in neutral before starting the car if engine dies not respond to the first try wait for 10 second then try again

Be careful while driving on wet roads don’t drive too fast on slippery roads
Always wear seat belts.
.
Avoid low gears.
For short trips (1 to 8 Km) use public transport, using car for short trips affect fuel efficiency of the car.

Avoid AC while driving in cities, use of AC reduces fuel economy of the car by 9%

Drive at safe speed.

Avoid sudden stopping

Don’t use clutches unnecessary

Keep an eye on break oil, coolant and engine oil level.




Regards,
sarah_9