Why I Practice Driving Efficiently

January 4, 2008 by Nez
Filed under: Education, Smarter View, UnCommon Sense 

One thing that I do to minimize my impact (at least a little) on the environment is my driving habit.

Rather than trying to convince everyone to drive a more fuel-efficient car, use public transportation, or walk more, I will share a few simple tips to drive more efficient.

A Few Simple Tips

  1. Ease off the Accelerator – yes, it’s a “rat race” out there, but I try not to be in such a rush to get to places. On freeways, I stay close to the speed limit (when it is safe). Past studies have shown that gas-powered cars becomes less efficient once past the 45-60 mph speed. On city streets, I avoid constant hard acceleration and deceleration.
  2. Being Patient – I get my share of drivers who cut me off, grab the right of way at a 4-way stop. But instead of getting worked up over these apparent slights, I let them slide. I know a lot of people are in a hurry, but what I do for my ease of mind is to leave just a bit earlier than when most people would. Making that a regular habit results in a more stress-free driving.
  3. Corollary to #1: Use less Brakes – in big cities, certain streets have timed lights that will change to green in sequential order, and I find that if I drive at the optimal speed (determined by a little bit of experimenting), I almost never have to brake. But, if I were into heavy acceleration, not would I waste more gas, I end up braking more, thus wearing out my brakes faster. Worn out brakes have to be replaced, meaning the old brake pads will go into a landfill, with the added bonus that my wallet would be lighter sooner.
  4. In a mall parking lot, I park at the first available spot – The times I’ve gone to malls I often see drivers circle around the lot many, many times, obviously looking for a spot that’s 50 feet closer to the store entrance. Meanwhile, I’ve already taken a spot near the back and am already on my wait into the store. Time is money, right? Instead of wasting gas circling, I take the first available spot and also get my circulation going.

I know these are just a few simple tips (compared to dumping the SUV or something) but they are certainly more than do-able, and would only require a slight effort on your part.

Positive Effects of Driving More Efficiently

Imagine if everyone employed such tactics in their driving: the cumulative effect would be more than a little significant. For me, I know that when I drive efficiently:

  1. I help to produce a safer, calmer, healthier driving environment for everyone else out there on the road – Oh, and for pedestrians, too.
  2. I reduce excess waste of gas – A good thing
  3. I reduce the rate of junking my brakes – For instance, I’ve only gone through two sets of brake pads with 130,000+ miles on my car
  4. I save money – the result of the above two

Well, there you go — some simple ideas on how (and why) driving efficiently is a good thing.

Try it, feel free to let me know how it goes.

Other posts you may enjoy:

  1. Quick Thinking: Driving Safely
  2. Quick Thinking: Recycling Plastic Saves Oil
  3. The Best Times to Think
  4. A Most Precious Possession
  5. Quitting Smoking: The Big Picture

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Comments

7 Comments on Why I Practice Driving Efficiently

  1. Skellie on Tue, 8th Jan 2008 3:13 pm

    2. Hey Nez — cool article :) I’m actually in the market for a car and the environmental issues are on my mind… so I will definitely remember some of these tips.

  2. Nez on Tue, 8th Jan 2008 4:22 pm

    3. Thanks, Skellie.

    I’ve had my little compact sedan since 1996 — it still works, but I may soon have to get a new one myself.

    Good luck with the search.

  3. The Best Times to Think | NezSez on Wed, 9th Jan 2008 8:03 am

    4. [...] – I practice driving efficiently, so I often find my driving times to be perfect opportunities to think. To do this, though, I leave [...]

  4. Quick Thinking: Driving Safely | NezSez on Sat, 19th Jan 2008 7:34 am

    5. [...] know I touched on Driving Efficiently, but here’s a quick, simple tip on how to drive safely. It applies to both drivers and [...]

  5. Quick Thinking: Recycling Plastic Saves Oil | NezSez on Tue, 12th Feb 2008 6:02 am

    6. [...] Of course, I’m all for conserving our resources, so I have nothing against driving less, and using less gas. (I even encourage efficient driving.) [...]

  6. Quick Thinking: Driving Safely | NezSez on Sun, 24th Feb 2008 10:33 pm

    7. [...] Thinking: Driving Safely Written by Nez on January 19, 2008 – 6:40 am I know I touched on Driving Efficiently, but here’s a quick, simple tip on how to drive safely. It applies to both drivers and [...]

  7. Fanfan la tulipe on Mon, 19th May 2008 1:10 pm

    8. Here is food for thoughts. I myself looked for better ways to reduce my fuel consumption with my current car(a 2003 Town and Country Mini Van 3.8l) from Chrysler. After visiting several web sites like Efficient.gov I learned the
    “How To” save gas without buying a new car with a high gas mileage. However, since I am an animal of habits (bad ones as far as driving habits) I found it boring and stressful to follow the suggestions to reduce my fuel consumption, until I visited http://www.efficientdriving.com

    I got their free e-book, decided to try it. O Boy!!!! did I stumble on a good thing…. I now average a 40% gas savings and it is fun to do, my grand kids also participate when I drive them around..

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