How to be an Eco-Friendly Driver

When you drive more fuel-efficiently, you will save hundreds of dollars a year on gasoline, increase road safety, and extend the life of your car. By following these fuel-saving driving tips, you can cut your car's fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 25%.

#1 Accelerate Gradually

Fuel consumption increases as you increase your speed. If you're driving in the city, you'll save money on gas by gradually increasing your speed.

We teach our students at Highway Hero Driving Academy that they should accelerate the car from a standstill to 20 kilometers per hour in 5 seconds to maximize fuel efficiency.

#2 Be Sure to Drive at A Steady Pace

The more you drive, the more gasoline you consume, and thus, you spend more money. Increasing your speed up and down between 75 and 85 km/h every 18 seconds has been found in tests to raise your fuel consumption by 20%.

Use cruise control if circumstances allow on the highway. Allow your speed to slow down while going uphill, and then pick it up again when going downhill if traffic patterns allow.

#3 Think about the Traffic Beforehand

When you're driving, keep an eye out the window to observe what's ahead. Also, maintain a safe separation between your car and the one in front of it.

It's possible to drive more efficiently and save money on gas by anticipating the actions of pedestrians and other vehicles around you.

#4 Slow Down

Save money on gas by obeying the speed limit. The most fuel-efficient speeds for most automobiles, vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs are between 50 and 80 kilometers per hour. The higher a vehicle's speed, the more gasoline it consumes.

#5 Turn Off the Engine as Soon as You Don't Need It

When you're parked for more than 60 seconds, you should turn off your engine unless you're stuck in traffic. The typical 3-liter car wastes 300 milliliters (more than 1 cup) of gasoline every ten minutes because of its idling.

#6 Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly

Under-inflated tires by 8 pounds per square inch (56 kilopascals) might increase fuel consumption by up to 4% while driving. It may also shorten your tires' lifespan by almost 10,000 miles.

The tire information placard should provide the correct pressure for your vehicle. In most cases, it's located near the driver's side door or doorpost. At Highway Hero Driving Academy, we teach our students how to air a tire properly!

Sound Off

What is your reason for wanting to be an eco-friendly driver? What is one way that you practice eco-friendly driving? Let us know in the comments!