How to Practice Eco-Friendly Driving

Cars are wonderful things because they give us the freedom to go anywhere we want to, at any time. This unprecedented mobility has been the driving force behind the automobile industry’s growth throughout the last hundred years, and nowadays cars are as popular as ever.

New automotive technologies have made engines more efficient and less polluting, but you can still maximize the performance you get out of every tank by the way you drive. Here are some ways to be as efficient as possible while driving.

Choose an Eco-Friendly Vehicle

Gone are the days where engine power automatically meant burning up a lot of gas. Over the last few decades, manufacturers understood that a more efficient car is a win-win situation, not only helping the environment but also being significantly cheaper to operate.

So next time you’re in the market for a new car, keep in mind that you can you can find a great one that’s also efficient and eco-friendly. Hybrid engine or fully electric cars are also more and more present in the market, and most major car manufacturers are currently investing in clean energy for future car models.

Have an Eco-Friendly Driving Style

Even with an efficient car, the way you drive can have a significant effect on the gas you consume. Not only does aggressive driving increase odds of car crashes, it’s also bad for your vehicle’s MPG.

Having a calm demeanor can help you burn a lot less fuel, thus saving money and reducing the toxic gases that the car releases into the atmosphere. So simply accelerate calmly, avoid driving too fast, and try not to make too many sudden brakes. Pretty soon you’ll find that the miles-per-gallon ratio will rise, and your trips will also be more relaxing.

Organize Your Drives

Another good way to reduce your car’s impact on your wallet and on the environment is by using it more efficiently. If you take a look at the places you need to drive to over a certain period, you may discover that you can arrange them in such a way that you can reach multiple destinations in just one trip. Also, it will allow you to do more because you won’t be wasting so much time in traffic.

The time of day is another important factor. A vehicle uses up much more fuel to accelerate from a standstill, so increased traffic will definitely make you burn more gas. When possible, avoiding those pesky morning and afternoon peak hours will not only limit your gas usage, but it will save you a lot of time.

Eco-friendly driving is one of those ideal situations where everybody wins. As a driver, less fuel means less money spent on gas, and as a society, we all benefit from cleaner air and less polluted cities. So if you’re in the market for a new car, stop by Service Chevrolet Cadillac today to see the efficient vehicles we have to offer!

Image via Flickr by The NRMA used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

Posted in Car Maintenance Tips | No Comments »