Clean Wheels

Driving Tips to Save Money and Pollute Less

Posted: 22-May-2003; Updated: 20-Oct-2005

Driving contributes to air pollution, exacerbating respiratory problems and obscuring scenic vistas. Vehicles also produce a huge amount of global warming pollution. By taking a few simple steps, motorists can make travel lighter on the environment and lighter on their budget.

Check the tires. Have your wheels aligned and keep your tires properly inflated. Low tire pressure wastes over two million gallons of gasoline in the United States every day.

Keep your engine tuned properly. Checking spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filters, hoses and belts are a few examples of maintenance that can save a vehicle owner up to 165 gallons of gas per year, resulting in potential savings of $230.

Travel light and pack smart. Avoid hauling unnecessary loads; extra weight decreases fuel economy and increases pollutant emissions. Placing luggage inside rather than on the roof or trunk of the vehicle maintains an aerodynamic profile, minimizing drag and increasing mileage.

	Accelerate and decelerate smoothly and gradually. Jack-rabbit starts consume up to 50% more fuel than slow, steady accelerations.
	Slow down and drive less aggressively. In highway travel, exceeding the speed limit by a mere 5 m.p.h. results in an average fuel economy loss of 6%. Also, conservative estimates show that aggressive driving can result in a 10% impact on fuel economy and cost drivers more than $80 per year.
	Know when to use the air.  Air conditioning can decrease your fuel efficiency by as much as 12% in stop-and-go traffic, so consider cracking the windows. But remember, at high speeds, driving with the windows open can also decrease the overall efficiency of the vehicle.
	Park it, once there. Once at your destination, consider parking your car and using other modes of transportation to get around. Walk to dinner, rent bikes to go shopping, or take the bus. Reducing the amount you drive can have the greatest benefit on the environment.