Go Green - Drive Smart
If you must drive, there are still many things that you can do to help protect the climate. While you're at it, you'll also save money and increase gas mileage.
Choose the least congested route – Calculate your current driving time on the 511 Traffic page. 511 will give you current traffic conditions for all alternate routes between your starting and ending points. Choosing the least congested route keeps you from idling in traffic, which in turn cuts down on the amount of harmful exhaust from your car's tailpipe.
Slow down – Reduce your speed from 75 mph to 65 mph and increase your gas mileage by 15%.
Smooth and steady – Accelerate and decelerate smoothly. Reduce aggressive driving to increase your gas mileage by up to 33% (highway) and 5% (streets). Use cruise control to reduce speed changes.
Tune it up – Improve your mileage by 4% by keeping your car in good working condition.
Lighten the load – Clean out your car and the trunk. For every 100 pounds you remove, fuel economy will increase by 2%.
Pump 'em up – Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure and improve mileage by 2% to 3%. Don't know how? Watch "Pump Your Ride" at www.wecansolveit.org. Check your tire pressure monthly.
Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle to get the best fuel economy.
Check your cap – A missing or broken gas cap reduces gas efficiency by 2%.
Check the air filter – Replace a clogged air filter and increase your gas mileage by 10%.
