SMART DRIVING TIPS
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Driving electric is truly Green Driving! No gas, no oil, zero tailpipe emissions. Typically one-half the maintenance of gas vehicles. More competitive pricing and increasing range.
Be a smart driver: accelerating smoothly and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and increases maintenance costs.
Many people can save lots of money eschewing car ownership: use public transportation or ride sharing services. Biking, or even walking to work or school to exercise, save money and emit no pollution!
Break the unnecessary idling habit! When parked, keep the engine and A/C off (below 80º) when using smartphones. In general, limit stationary warms ups to 30 seconds. 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than shutting off and restarting the engine.
Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance that can reduce fuel economy by 3-4 percent.
BE A SAFE DRIVER. Avoid tailgating. Aim for a constant speed to save fuel. The EPA says driving the speed limit on the highway improves fuel economy by up to 15 percent.
Consider car sharing! Saving lots of money in owning one less car is a HUGE benefit. Also: reduction in vehicle miles traveled and fewer cars on the road, reduced GHG emissions and reducing parking demands in cities.
Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Replace air filters as recommended. Always consult your owner's manual for proper maintenance.
Don’t drive with the windows open over 45 mph. This increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel economy.
Use heating and air conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine. Decreasing A/C usage above 80 degrees can help save 10-15 percent of fuel. Park in the shade to keep the cabin cooler and reduce the need for A/C.
Items in the trunk and on the roof rack makes the engine work harder and consume more fuel. The EPA estimates that for every extra 100 lbs. your car carries, it loses 2 percent in fuel economy.
Green driving and safe driving go hand-in-hand: avoiding jackrabbit starts, being more aware and attentive to the flow of traffic around and ahead, and avoiding tailgating - all of which allows more reaction time to perform evasive maneuvers.
GREEN DRIVING APPS!
The following apps can help improve driving behavior to be efficient and safer drivers. The apps listed below have positive and some negative feedback, so use with discretion. AVOID DISTRACTED DRIVING!
• EcoDrive One Speedometer is a unique GPS speedometer allowing you to save fuel, time and enhance safety.
• DriveSmart helps you improve your daily life as a driver. Record all trips to analyze yourself: how you brake, accelerate, turn, react to signals, driving at the right speed, etc.
• MyGreenCar detects when you’re driving and records your trips. It then automatically calculates how different cars stack up for you. MyGreenCar compares your fuel costs in any car, or for EVs predicts your range viability and charging needs. Compare any car for your unique driving. MyGreenCar accounts for how far you’re driving, what hills you go up and down, what traffic you get stuck in, whether you’re a lead-foot or ecodriver, and more.
For additional available apps, conduct Internet search using "green driving apps" and "smart driving apps".