UK Goes Eco-Driving Mad! Or Not.

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago
Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • GrandCharles GrandCharles on Jul 20, 2009

    I had never think that i would see a so called expert about car talk about tire pression by...kicking it!!!! Just like in old movies...is this car solid? (kick the tire!) And that thing about shutting the engine at light, first off the life of your starter is shortened. Second it is already so damn long after a light turn green that every zombies in front of me realize it, imagine if they need to start their car too....i think that if this ever generalise walking would seem like a good idea...

  • SunnyvaleCA SunnyvaleCA on Jul 20, 2009

    The red+amber signal for when the light is going to turn green would be a nice idea. I like the concept of the the system used by a few (stick shift and not available in the USA) cars where putting the car in neutral and taking your foot off the clutch turns the engine off--that is pretty much how I spend my time at red lights anyway.

  • SunnyvaleCA SunnyvaleCA on Jul 20, 2009

    Here are some MPG-enhancing techniques I see almost daily... (1) Don't stop at stop signs--just slow down a bit to coordinate with other traffic on the road. In the case of a coordination tie, the one in the jacked up SUV gets to go first (they are wasting the most gas by stopping anyway). (2) Same as #1, but apply to turning right on a red light. (3) 15 MPH and 25 MPH speed limits don't just waste time, they waste fuel as well. Your vehicle will run more efficiently at higher speeds. 40 or 50 MPH is probably the sweet spot for most vehicles. (4) Start measuring your MPG using imperial units--that's what they do in England! That will give you a 25% boost in MPG right there. (5) A heavily laden vehicle will get worse fuel mileage. Two people each driving their own vehicle should get slightly better MPG rating than a pair of people sharing a ride. (6) A corollary to #6 is that you should maintain a slim-and-trim body weight. Driving 15 miles to the gym so that you can walk 3 miles on a treadmill can be effective at improving MPG because when you are driving your slim-and-trim body weight will give you an efficiency advantage. (Remember not to take a second person when driving to the gym--every pound of passenger weight counts!)

  • EJ_San_Fran EJ_San_Fran on Jul 20, 2009

    My simple way to save 20% on fuel: drive 10% less and drive 10% slower. You can keep your radio on.

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