[SustainableTompkins] How to improve gas mileage

[Bethany Schroeder]

Thanks for your tips and the link!

Bethany

Andy Bailey Goodell wrote:
> To get better gas mileage, it's a combination of many things that each help
> a few percent, but for me adds up to 75% better fuel economy and less than
> half the fuel consumed because of shorter trips, and then I also save much
> more by just not driving when I could walk or bike instead.
> 
> Here's a list of the safe and easy ones:
> Finding the shortest route, avoiding stop signs/lights, properly inflating
> tires, taking out all extra weight, improving aerodynamics (take off roof
> racks/boxes/bags), accelerate moderately, find the car's most efficient
> speed, use as little throttle as possible for the grade and speed needed,
> reducing the need for braking by anticipating stops, turning off the engine
> at stops, learning traffic light patterns, coast at any time possible, let
> speed reduce going up hills...
> 
> My Subaru is rated for 20mpg city and 27mpg highway, and by doing those
> things listed above I was getting 32mpg city and 40mpg highway. For work I
> drive a Chevy Venture (7 person van, often with 7 people in it) rated 16mpg
> city and 23mpg highway and I consistently got 26mpg in the warmer months and
> 22mpg in the cold. While 26mpg doesn't seem like a high number, the fact
> that it was in a full van during city driving conditions makes it better
> than driving a Prius. People-miles-per-gallon is more important than
> vehicle-miles-per-gallon because a van with 7 people at 26mpg is 182pmpg
> while a Prius with one person could be both 55mpg and 55pmpg. 
> 
> If anyone has questions on driving efficiently, don't hesitate to ask. I've
> offered my time in Oneonta to show people how to drive more efficiently and
> received responses from people wanting to learn, and I would gladly do the
> same in the Ithaca area when I move there this summer. I've posted my 7-page
> guide to driving more efficiently on the Environmental Work Group of Central
> New York website at http://oneonta-region.wikispot.org/Car_Share.
> 
> Andy Goodell
> 1894 Charlotte Creek Road
> Oneonta, NY 13820
> (603) 831-0356
> http://geekguyandy.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org
> [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of
> Margaret McCasland
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:27 AM
> To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv
> Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] I hate to drought on your hybrid parade
> but...
> 
> Please, please, tell me how!  I have been driving more slowly, more gradual
> starts and stops, checking tire pressure, but what other techniques might
> help?  I'm still around 25 mpg, last I checked (I stopped filling the tank,
> so that I'm driving less weight around, so I'm not calculating actual mpg).
> 
> Thanks, Margaret
> 
> PS a hole in your exhaust system is a great way to keep your starts
> gradual--fear of a ticket!  But I do plan on getting it fixed and keeping
> the Subaru a while longer.
> 
> 
>> Definitely, the best choice for a car is one that already exists, not 
>> trading in a 2007 hybrid for a 2008 hybrid. And sometimes the thinking 
>> of needing something different is just our wonderful American way of 
>> consumption. I was tired of getting 23 MPG in my 97 Subaru Legacy 
>> Wagon, and instead of going out and buying a new/different car, I took 
>> the time to learn how to drive efficiently. We have all heard how to do 
>> it, but it just takes the patience to actually do it. I can now get 40 
>> miles per gallon in the same car, without ANY modifications to the car, 
>> simply just changing driving technique. I also drive the shortest 
>> distance route, even if it means taking more time because it saves gas. 
>> My drive to see my family a few times a year takes a few more hours, 
>> but uses 45% of the gas that it used to. So if you want to drive a more 
>> efficient car, don't empty your pockets just yet. Learn how to drive 
>> efficiently, find the shortest route, and then when your car is really 
>> dead, it might be better to buy the new hybrid or electric if you are still
> going to use a car.
>> Andy Goodell
>> 1894 Charlotte Creek Road
>> Oneonta, NY 13820
>> (603) 831-0356
>> http://geekguyandy.com
>>
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