]]>There are two (legitimate) reasons to buy a car with good gas mileage: to save money, and to be socially responsible. For me the reason was about 75% on the socially responsible side, with saving money being more of an added benefit than a deciding factor.
But what did I really accomplish? The environment doesn’t care who is driving an efficient car, only how efficient the average car on the road is. So as long as the used car I bought is being driven (by anyone) instead of an inefficient car, it will bring up this average. And it is reasonable to assume that someone would have bought this car and driven it if I had not, so I can conclude that me buying it accomplished nothing. Maybe worse that nothing, because another prospective buyer may have driven it MORE than I do, further increasing the average efficiency of the sum of all cars on the road.
So what are the options? If buying an already-running efficient used car is pointless, and buying a new car is wasteful and expensive, what is the most efficient thing to do?
Probably restore an old non-operational car with good fuel economy. No manufacturing pollution. But expensive and time consuming, we can’t be expected to do that.
I propose that the best thing to do is buy the most inefficient vehicle possible, once a year, for under $2000, and destroy it at the end of the year. This will accelerate the rate of removal of polluting vehicles from the road and cost far less than a new car payment. You will look and feel like a polluter while driving this vehicle, but you will be helping the overall efficiency of the global fleet by destroying the vehicle at the end of the year. I argue that this is the way that one individual can have the most impact on the environment with their automotive buying choice.
Thoughts? ]]>
1. Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
2. Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional tax on gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.
3. Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage greatly.
4. Check & Replace Air Filters Regularly
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car’s air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
5. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
6. Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
7. Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
8. Use Overdrive Gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
9. Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
10. Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
11. Planning and Combining trips
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient.
With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You’ll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.
12. Commuting
If you can stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours, you’ll spend less time sitting in traffic and consume less fuel.
If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.
Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it.
13. Traveling
A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible.
14. Choosing a more efficient vehicle
http://www.fueleconomy.gov has gas mileage estimates and more information for 1985-2009 model year cars.
Also, learn why the myth of running your car on water is just that,
Water to Gas Exposed