Thrifty tips--Car Travel

Aggressive driving is a dangerous habit that uses 37% more fuel and creates more toxic emissions. In the book, David Suzuki's Green Guide, the authors David Suzuki and David Boyd suggest a more planet-friendly approach known as eco-driving.

What is eco-driving? These are driving habits that reduce fuel consumption, carbon costs, stress, and accidents. Eco-driving is now part of the driver education curriculum in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Consider the following tips:

• For local travel, consider leaving the car at home and either walk, cycle, or use public transit.

• Keep the vehicle properly serviced.

• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the trunk. An extra 45 kilograms (100 pounds) reduces fuel economy by 1% to 2%.
  

• When starting up, there is no need to allow the engine to warm up. It is better to just drive off.

• Try to avoid sudden acceleration, engine revving, and sudden braking. Harsh accelerating and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and increase wear and tear of the vehicle.

• If possible, avoid using air conditioning.

• Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
  

• Maximize aerodynamics by removing roof racks and bike racks when not using them.
  

• Switch the engine off if you think you are likely to be stationary for more than 2 minutes.

• If possible, avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go driving burns more gas and increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants.

• Avoid high-octane gasoline, which takes more energy to produce and contains more toxic substances.