How To Drive Green Without Buying A New Car

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How To Drive Green Without Buying A New Car Thursday, March 27, 2008
Forbes -- For those who aren't racked by enough environmental guilt to buy a hybrid, driving green can mean any number of readily available and easy-to-implement solutions that can increase your gas mileage. Regular maintenance and aerodynamics play a part. But, according to fuel-efficiency experts, less aggressive driving has the most significant impact on your MPGs. "Acceleration is the greatest factor," says Philip Reed, consumer advice editor for automotive Web site Edmunds.com. "It wastes energy and gas and pollutes the environment."
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 3/27/2008 7:48:40 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Thursday, March 27, 2008 Forbes -- For those who aren't racked by enough environmental guilt to buy a hybrid, driving green can mean any number of readily available and easy-to-implement solutions that can increase your gas mileage. Regular maintenance and aerodynamics play a part. But, according to fuel-efficiency experts, less aggressive driving has the most significant impact on your MPGs. "Acceleration is the greatest factor," says Philip Reed, consumer advice editor for automotive Web site Edmunds.com. "It wastes energy and gas and pollutes the environment." Visit Forbes for full article

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lurch6571 Rookie Author Ohio Posts:84 Points:26,370 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 4/9/2008 12:46:35 PM	Ignore lurch6571 Report Abuse
	I use STP the cheaper red bottle stuff. about 2.75 for 3 one bottle treats one tank. I have gained 2-3 MPG not bad for about $0.07 per gallon.
kingdick Champion Author Minnesota Posts:16,300 Points:1,334,970 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 4/8/2008 10:01:45 PM	Ignore kingdick Report Abuse
	Most of us like SPEED - drive like crazy people. You will use about 25% less fuel if you drive 55 instead of 70 If you take a bus instead of planes 75% savings If you take a Train instead of planes 95% savings If goods are transported by Train instead of truck or plane this country could have a vast surplus of fuel !!
searchn4adeal Veteran Author Virginia Posts:281 Points:57,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 4/5/2008 4:18:10 PM	Ignore searchn4adeal Report Abuse
	reduce speed
searchn4adeal Veteran Author Virginia Posts:281 Points:57,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 4/1/2008 9:33:58 PM	Ignore searchn4adeal Report Abuse
	lower cruising speed
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,497 Points:501,530 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: 3/29/2008 5:17:27 AM	Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse
	Hills??? jat60, I get at least as good mileage in the hills as in Flatland. It's simply a different technique. Most people I see are obsessed with speed, inciting them to commit the worst mileage sin: accelerating uphill. Rather than that, let the hills affect the speed, take what gravity gives you on the downslopes, stay away from cruise control and enjoy. The part of driving that affects mileage is giving the engine more work, as in starting from a dead stop and pulling against gravity. Hills don't kill mileage; working against Nature does.
pgerassi Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,594 Points:354,965 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 10:33:19 AM	Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse
	Already do the good driving parts by slowing down, giving plenty of room and anticipating problems rather than slamming on the brakes. Its amazing how much that saves.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:8,560 Points:1,374,695 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 8:45:39 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	All common sense good advice. Now for the bad driving habit breaking part...
jat60 Veteran Author California Posts:493 Points:274,065 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:53:57 AM	Ignore jat60 Report Abuse
	A few years back, we moved from a flat valley to an area with a lot of hills. Eventually I realized that the hills were the reason why my mileage has dropped something like 25% over the years. Of course you can't change the roads, but I've found that planning your route to minimize hills can save a lot of gas. Sometimes it may mean taking a somewhat longer route, but it can actually save gas, depending on your situation.
RochBear All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:840 Points:341,030 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:49:48 AM	Ignore RochBear Report Abuse
	If everyone could get 1 MPG better, that would be huge. And the worse your milage is, the more you would save. ie. if you already get 50 MPG, and now get 51, you won't notice much. But if you only get 10, and now get 11 MPG, A 50 mile trip will save you 5 gallons of gas, at $3.00 that's $15. That'll add up fast! And using these driving tactics, could easily save an agressive driver more than 1 MPG.
jat60 Veteran Author California Posts:493 Points:274,065 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:41:18 AM	Ignore jat60 Report Abuse
	"As for getting a hybrid, I can't afford one. The cost of one of those is outrageous." According to Kelley Blue Book, the MSRP on a new Prius is around $23k. That doesn't sound anywhere close to outrageous to me. Of course, it's still a lot of money if you already have a car that's paid for.
laddyboy62 All-Star Author Riverside Posts:606 Points:801,450 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:38:10 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	can't help but do 70/80 on roads here in calif...they will run you off the road..go back to 60/65...and have troopers every 5 miles...like that will happen
iluna Rookie Author Colorado Springs Posts:84 Points:34,845 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:33:12 AM	Ignore iluna Report Abuse
	I agree with archerdave. I only drive about 7 miles a day total and the traffic lights kill me. I have one that stays red in one direction (mine, of course)for 3.5 minutes at a time. There is no alternate route for me or I would take it, quick! As for getting a hybrid, I can't afford one. The cost of one of those is outrageous.
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,087 Points:832,620 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:32:47 AM	Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse
	The more things change the more they stay the same!
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,090 Points:530,340 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:32:03 AM	Ignore w4kh Report Abuse
	Gasman50 says: "Most is just common sense" which is true... problem is, way too few people have common sense, and even fewer use it!
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,880 Points:883,620 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:31:25 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	Sure, the half tank thing saves weight to haul around, but you'll have to go find gas more often so I bet it's a wash.
egd Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:231 Points:577,220 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:21:42 AM	Ignore egd Report Abuse
	as for timing lights to keep traffic flowing, opposite direction traffic would have to stop at every light, and cross traffic needs to keep moving also
gasman50 All-Star Author Portland Posts:537 Points:638,530 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:21:15 AM	Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse
	Most is just common sense
thomas41546 All-Star Author Tennessee Posts:750 Points:600,105 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:18:57 AM	Ignore thomas41546 Report Abuse
	old news
egd Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:231 Points:577,220 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:15:46 AM	Ignore egd Report Abuse
	Lots of good stuff but how does filling half a tank at a time do anything? Sebastian Blanco, editor of autobloggreen.com, even suggests filling up on half a tank of gas at a time. "Sure, you'll be filling up more often," he says, "but you'll be driving more on each gallon."
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:6,330 Points:1,128,325 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:15:32 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	If you're really militant about going green and getting better MPG, check out the site www.cleanmpg.com. Using the tricks they suggest, you can even make your hybrid get 100+ mpg...
Rivermedic Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:333 Points:60,455 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:14:24 AM	Ignore Rivermedic Report Abuse
	I love to watch people do 0-60mph just to sit at every red light
GAC1Shirt Veteran Author Georgia Posts:337 Points:299,665 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:13:29 AM	Ignore GAC1Shirt Report Abuse
	I agree with round-abouts, fewer stops, more yields. Keep the traffic moving and reduce fuel use, wear and tear on the vehicle and air pollution.
The_WB Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,535 Points:300,450 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:11:51 AM	Ignore The_WB Report Abuse
	Drive less and easier.
Lovelee All-Star Author Detroit Posts:818 Points:265,255 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:11:03 AM	Ignore Lovelee Report Abuse
	I agree. You should see my wife drive. Gas Break etc. I get 3 MPH more than she does with the same car.
woos777 All-Star Author Washington Posts:642 Points:478,205 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:09:59 AM	Ignore woos777 Report Abuse
	Acceleration is the greatest factor? There goes drag racing.
archerdave Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,369 Points:67,675 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:08:06 AM	Ignore archerdave Report Abuse
	"What is the killer is city driving & idling because of lights/traffic etc. where you get 0 mpg. Some cars in Europe have a sol'n to this, whereby when stopped (with clutch out in stds) engine shuts off & auto. started when either brakes released, stick is moved or clutch moved. I imagine these cars have beefed up starting systems but if can work there why not here???" Why not just eliminate the stop lights and put in roundabouts... No stopping, no ideling, no waiting for left turns, smooth traffic flow!
fairchildd All-Star Author Kansas City Posts:543 Points:198,710 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:08:00 AM	Ignore fairchildd Report Abuse
	save your gas, ride a cowb... I mean, bicycle
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:1,248 Points:254,535 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:07:47 AM	Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse
	No doubt, the main reason why I am not getting better gas milage is due to poorly timed lights (and traffic) more so than anything else. Siting at lights for 3/5 of my daily drive is bad for MPG numbers!
TomT2Lee All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:642 Points:511,735 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 7:02:43 AM	Ignore TomT2Lee Report Abuse
	Buy a horse for your green.
Zinnoil Champion Author Illinois Posts:10,669 Points:1,322,845 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:57:42 AM	Ignore Zinnoil Report Abuse
	Guess green is why most cities don't sync traffic lights.
Zygnatz Champion Author British Columbia Posts:4,025 Points:790,880 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:56:57 AM	Ignore Zygnatz Report Abuse
	I'm amazed up here at almost $5.00 a gallon. When I drive the posted speed limit, traffic passes me at high speeds, including large transport trucks. And truckers claim high fuel costs are killing them. If they slowed down, they would burn less fuel and maybe stop killing us.
markmoore80 Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:394 Points:196,385 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:54:49 AM	Ignore markmoore80 Report Abuse
	I thought Forbes was for smart people? I guees some people have no common sence - therefore, the rest of us must suffer thru articles like this one...
mb65 Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:126 Points:438,995 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:51:24 AM	Ignore mb65 Report Abuse
	So, what else is new?
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,365 Points:1,503,785 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:49:28 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	always have and always will drive to get the best mpg
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,616 Points:736,730 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:49:17 AM	Ignore Rajah Report Abuse
	I'm very annoyed at our city putting stop signs every block for side streets that have almost no traffic in order to slow down traffic. What is that costing us in wasted gas?
Nasack04 Sophomore Author Pittsburgh Posts:127 Points:14,185 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:49:14 AM	Ignore Nasack04 Report Abuse
	i thnk it does nothing for environment
Chazzer Champion Author Nevada Posts:7,150 Points:1,546,960 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:48:34 AM	Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
	There is no way that I feel guilty for not buying a hybrid. Did the research and I'm actually saving money with my Magnum R/T over a cramped non-green hybrid. Can't convince me yet. The batteries alone make a non-hybrid car a winner!
trojanbuck All-Star Author Dayton Posts:520 Points:115,270 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:47:34 AM	Ignore trojanbuck Report Abuse
	There's only so much drivers can do. We've already seen demand drop and the price of gasoline continue to soar. So this article is just blah, blah, blah.
Doc2BIG Rookie Author Texas Posts:17 Points:36,125 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:46:06 AM	Ignore Doc2BIG Report Abuse
	Good point. I like the "egg under your gas pedal" suggestion.
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:6,360 Points:1,305,595 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:44:10 AM	Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse
	Depending on how tall the gearing is on your car, the difference between driving 55 vs 65 on the highway is likely very small, as long as it's kept as steady cruising & anticipating traffic ahead. What is the killer is city driving & idling because of lights/traffic etc. where you get 0 mpg. Some cars in Europe have a sol'n to this, whereby when stopped (with clutch out in stds) engine shuts off & auto. started when either brakes released, stick is moved or clutch moved. I imagine these cars have beefed up starting systems but if can work there why not here???
radrunner Veteran Author Toronto Posts:312 Points:874,940 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:44:10 AM	Ignore radrunner Report Abuse
	with high gas prices I just drive green
onethumb All-Star Author Hamilton Posts:796 Points:287,705 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:43:47 AM	Ignore onethumb Report Abuse
	Ok.
pandarisuresh Sophomore Author New Jersey Posts:183 Points:101,915 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:43:28 AM	Ignore pandarisuresh Report Abuse
	Good
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,030 Points:671,565 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:40:40 AM	Ignore amearly Report Abuse
	Driving less because of the high prices.
mrpc90 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,066 Points:256,550 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:40:15 AM	Ignore mrpc90 Report Abuse
	Same old, same old...
pandarisuresh Sophomore Author New Jersey Posts:183 Points:101,915 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:40:07 AM	Ignore pandarisuresh Report Abuse
	Good
LazerBlazer Rookie Author Akron Posts:5 Points:10,250 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:38:07 AM	Ignore LazerBlazer Report Abuse
	Put 35 psi in your tires, coast on all the hills, that helps.
Fencemaker Sophomore Author Pittsburgh Posts:243 Points:59,390 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:37:44 AM	Ignore Fencemaker Report Abuse
	Racing to the next red light is a classic fuel waster. All you are doing is turning fuel into brake dust. If you look half a mile down the road and see a red light, take your foot off the accelerator. If your light turns green but the next one is red, then slow, steady acceleration is the key. If the guy behind you is flipping you off, just wave and smile -he'll think you're nuts or clueless, but probably won't do anything b/c he thinks you don't get it and won't get it.
Magnum0829 All-Star Author Jackson Posts:565 Points:284,265 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:36:48 AM	Ignore Magnum0829 Report Abuse
	Thanks.
BlueBike Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,802 Points:405,925 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: 3/28/2008 6:36:18 AM	Ignore BlueBike Report Abuse
	Of all the suggestions, the only one that shows any improvement is the hard acceleration and hard braking.

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