Tricks to make your car greener and save some dough.
Jacob Gordon -
AUTOS - Sept 19, 2009
Surprised? --Ed.
1. Easy on the Throttle
The single most important technique to make your existing car more efficient is speed, or lack thereof. In the city, avoid jackrabbit starts and lead-footed stops — this kills your fuel economy as well as your brakes. On the highway wind resistance is your enemy, and the faster you go the tougher the battle. When Consumer Reports researchers increased the speed of a 4-cylinder Camry test car from 55 to 65 mph, the average highway fuel economy dropped from 40 mpg to 35.
2. Trading Pounds for Gallons
Lighter cars get better fuel economy. But before trying to cut your car’s weight and drag by tearing out upholstery and knocking off side mirrors, do the easy stuff first. Jettison the sandbags, golf clubs, and phonebooks from the trunk (better keep that spare, though). An unused roof rack also creates unnecessary drag. Also, don’t waste your gas dollars driving to stores that are closed, or getting lost on the way. Map out routes beforehand, call ahead or check hours online, use a GPS system, or combine trips to drive fewer total miles....
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