Promoted Challenge!

1378_1007071007a Wendy suggested this challenge and received 34 votes before it was promoted.

Challenge Activity

These people have all recently accepted this challenge.

66937_153px-electron_shell_006_carbon_-_no_label 05/16/13 CarbonReducer accepted this challenge, reducing CO2 by 4 lbs so far.
68654_img_5096 05/01/13 Eastender Pam accepted this challenge, reducing CO2 by 4 lbs so far.
Default_user_small_avatar 04/29/13 Regina accepted this challenge, reducing CO2 by 4 lbs so far.
Default_user_small_avatar 04/29/13 ecomeister accepted this challenge, reducing CO2 by 4 lbs so far.
66935_2009-dodge-charger-police_car_500_0410 04/27/13 gr8vince accepted this challenge, reducing CO2 by 4 lbs so far.

Lowrider Featured on Jul 12, 2009

Challenge

What's the rush, Rallyers? Slow your car down a bit. And stop punching on the gas and brake.

Individual Result

If you or your driver follow some smart-driving tips for 1 month, CO2 emissions will be reduced by 133.9 lbs. and gas expenses will be reduced by $18.

Rally Impact

5416 people have reduced CO2 emissions by 334.12 tons by completing this challenge so far. That's equal to turning off the electricity of 339 homes for about 1 month!

Accept This Challenge »





CHALLENGE SPONSOR






Alternative content

Get Adobe Flash player

Challenge Details

  • More mellow acceleration and stopping can increase highway mileage by over 30%
  • 60 MPH is an optimal speed for fuel economy. Going 65 will lower your miles-per-gallon by 7%
  • Wind drag caused by unused roof racks can reduce highway milage by 10%

You can’t say Carbonrally hasn’t tried to help you use less gasoline. We’ve challenged you to keep your tires properly inflated. We’ve challenged you to carpool. We’ve challenged you to stop unnecessarily idling your car. Now, with the price of gasoline on the rise, we’re prepared to do it again. Let’s take it up another notch and show we’re smart enough to drive smarter. You’ll burn less gasoline; save money; keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. Smart? It’s a no-brainer!

This Featured Challenge is based on a number of terrific Challenge suggestions from our Challenge Workshop. Specifically, we’d like to give kudos to Wendy, as well as vienna101 and jonsfubar_60554 for suggesting that we all slow down, and Violet for suggesting we need to get the dead weight out of our trunks.

The Carbon Connection
American cars, vans, SUVs, and light trucks use over 9 million barrels of oil a day. That’s almost 400 million gallons of gasoline each day. The cost of a gallon of regular now averages nearly $2.60 nationally, and the price has been on the rise since January 2009. On average, that’s an about $127 or so per vehicle per month in gasoline expense. For many people, the number is much higher. For many people, that $127 is already too much.

With the cost of gasoline increasing, we all need to drive smarter and use less gasoline. But the cost in dollars isn’t the only reason. Close to 30% of the greenhouse gases released in the United States come from transportation. Of that amount, over 80% is produced by our vehicles driving on the roads (cars, trucks, buses) and burning gasoline or diesel. Each gallon of gasoline burned in an average car’s engine blows 19.4 pounds of CO2 out the exhaust and directly into Earth’s atmosphere. That means an average car emits 35 pounds of carbon dioxide every day! The less gasoline we burn, the better it is for our atmosphere.

There are many ways to improve your vehicle’s mileage so that you use less gasoline. For instance, the simplest way to get better mileage is to observe the speed limit. At speeds above 60 miles per hour, a car’s fuel efficiency drops off. You get fewer miles per gallon. For every 5 mph over 60 mph, your vehicle’s miles per gallon drops about 7%. On a 200 mile trip, an average car driving at 75 mph instead of 65 mph burns an extra 1.6 gallons, costs an additional $4.16, and releases an additional 30 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Getting It Done
So we are challenging you slow down. Reduce your speed by 5 mph when you’re driving on the highway this month. We are also asking you to drive less aggressively and to reduce the amount of unnecessary weight in your trunk.

Need help meeting this Challenge? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Ratchet down the aggressive driving. And by “aggressive driving,” we don’t mean serious road rage. This is how you drive, what you do with your foot when you accelerate or brake. Stop stomping those pedals! Jackrabbit starts and hard braking habits are costing you mileage and money. Accelerate to driving speed at a little more leisurely pace. Don’t go full speed and then slam on the brakes; start to slow down earlier by easing off the gas and starting to brake gently from farther away. Making this one change to your driving style can save you as much as 33% on the highway and 5% in the city.   source
  • Slowing down on the highway has its challenges. First, you have to be willing to be one of the slower cars on the highway. People might stare. That’s a psychological challenge. It helps if you remember that you wouldn’t get where you’re going all that much faster if you were going five or ten miles faster.
  • The second challenge to driving more slowly is more serious. You don’t want to put yourself or others in danger by going too slowly. The ideal speed for higher gas mileage may be 60 mph, but that can be too slow for safety on many highways where the speed limit is 65 mph and the flow of traffic is going closer to 75 mph. If you’re going to drive at or under the speed limit on the highway, please drive in the right lane. And pay very close attention to your rearview mirror. You don’t want to get hit from behind by a car coming up fast behind you. For the purpose of this Challenge, let’s assume you’re lowering your highway speed by 5 mph. So, if you normally go 10 mph over the speed limit, bring that down to 5 mph over the speed limit.
  • Have you got Prius envy? Hybrids and some other newer model cars have digital readouts on the dashboard that give you immediate feedback on your car’s miles per gallon. These sophisticated trip computers tell you if the way you are driving at that moment is giving you better or worse mileage — and that feedback goes a long way toward changing your driving behavior. If your car does not have one of these trip computers, you can install something like the ScanGauge II. It works on any car model year 1996 and newer.
  • Carrying around an extra 100 pounds in your trunk can reduce your mileage by up to 2%. Of course you should always carry your spare tire, jack, and some tools. But be smart. Do you need the beach chairs and sand toys in your trunk all week when you won’t be going to the beach until next weekend? How long has that box of books for the library been in there? Do your golf clubs really need to go with you, everywhere you go? Check out what’s in your trunk and reduce what you carry to what you need to carry for that trip or that day.  source
  • And if you have car roof racks for bikes or kayaks, don’t leave those on when they’re not in use. The extra drag caused by the air hitting those racks at high speeds can lower your mileage by as much as 10%.

Have you tried any of these methods yourself? Was it difficult to change your driving habits? What sort of difference did you see in your vehicle’s mileage? Share your experiences with fellow Rallyers in the Discussion section below.

Rules of the Challenge
This Challenge is intended for Rallyers who drive or ride in passenger cars, vans, SUVs, or light trucks. The Challenge asks you (or your driver) to: 1) drive less aggressively; 2) reduce your speed by 5 mph on the highway; and 3) reduce the amount of unnecessary weight in your trunk. By making these three changes to your driving habits this month, you will reduce your CO2 emissions by 48.4 lbs per week or 207.6 lbs for the month. This Challenge is repeatable after 1 month.

Learn More

100 great ecodriving tips from Ecomodder
Fueleconomy.gov: Gas Savings Tips
EcoDriving USA: EcoDriving Practices
FuelOurFutureNow: Lesson Plan – How Driving Behavior Affects Fuel Efficiency

See the Math
It’s time to see how all this comes out when the rubber meets the road. Let’s look at the known or estimated numbers being used for this Challenge:

  • According to the EPA, the average American, non-commercial vehicle gets driven 12,000 miles per year. That’s 1000 miles driven each month.  source
  • For the purposes of our math, we are using EPA estimates that the average non-commercial vehicle drives 55% of its miles in the city and 45% on the highway. (We know that your particular driving may not match those estimates, but we have to start somewhere.) Apply those percentages to the 1000 miles driven each month and you get 550 city miles and 450 highway miles driven each month.  source
  • The EPA uses the 55 city / 45 city numbers to calculate average combined fuel economy numbers for various vehicles. For instance, they calculate that the average car on the road today gets a combined (both city and highway) average 23.9 miles per gallon each week. The miles per gallon numbers for SUVs and trucks are lower (17.4 mpg). Since we don’t know what you drive, we are using an average of vehicle types and going with 20.3 miles per gallon.  source
  • Using the above numbers, we calculate that the average vehicle uses 27.1 gallons driving in the city each month and another 22.2 gallons driving on the highway.
  • Now let’s look at the potential savings from the Challenge. Driving less aggressively decreases your gasoline use by 33% on the highway and 5% in the city. Since that 33% number is for the most leadfooted, aggressive highway driver and since we know none of your fellow Rallyers fits that description, we’re going to cut that number in half and use 16% for highway savings. Slowing down 5 miles per hour on the highway saves you another 7% on the highway. Finally, removing 50 pounds of extra weight from your trunk reduces your gasoline use by another 1% on both city and highway miles. If we add all those together, accepting this Challenge will mean that you reduce your gasoline use by 24% on the highway and 6% in the city.
  • Next, apply the fuel reduction percentages to the gallons of gasoline burned driving on the highway and in the city. You reduce your highway driving gas consumption by 24%. Multiply 22.2 gallons by 24% to get 5.3 gallons. You reduce your city driving gas consumption by 6%. Multiply 27.1 gallons by 6% to get 1.6 gallons. The total gasoline saved by taking this Challenge is 6.9 gallons.
  • The burning of 1 gallon of gasoline by the average car, van, truck, or SUV engine releases 19.4 pounds of CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere.  source
  • Burning 6.9 gallons less gasoline in a month results in a CO2 savings of 133.9 pounds (10.7 gallons times 19.4 pounds CO2 per gallon of gasoline burned). At June 09 prices, it will also save you about $18 at the pump.

Of course, your car may be more fuel efficient than the average car on the road when these statistics were compiled. You may drive more or less than 1000 miles each month. You may drive all of your miles in the city and none on the highway. Numbers will vary. Just remember that the idea is to use less gasoline. Keep changing your driving habits for the better in order to cut back on the amount of gas you use. You’ll spend less at the pump and pump a lot less CO2 into the air.

Discussion 91 comments so far

You must login or register to post.

dogmomcmb about 1 year ago
THIS GONNA B HARD 4 ME!!!!
Samual007 about 2 years ago
Actually i dont have any vehicle and i used to go by bus to my work place. But everyday i felt that we should drive safely and we should save fuel as well. when i will have my vehicle, i'll take care of all this things.</br> <a href="http://www.ustruckbuyer.com/">Mack Trucks</a> | <a href="http://www.topcarsdeal.com">Cars For Sale</a>
quothraven over 2 years ago
I got pulled over for speeding recently. I am not sure if I really was that time, the officer only gave me a warning and had no measuring device that I could tell, but I know I have been speeding more lately... So I think it is time I do this one again.
KlnAir4U almost 3 years ago
Initially, when I first started driving my new Prius, I was doing a "pultry" 40 MPG. Then, I started experimenting with Hypermiling techniques. Nothing major, just easy stuff like keeping my tires' pressure up to the maximum rated pressure rating on the tire (44 PSI). Then, I started watching for Red lights a block or more ahead and gauging my speed accordingly. I kept my highway speed to the limit it just below it (I still got to my destination on time) and before I knew it, my average had gone to 60 MPG!! Now, I have an extra battery pack in my trunk and I'm getting around 150 MPG and over 1000 miles per tank.
22427_hymotion001-3ss
Ck about 3 years ago
I can't weight 2 start dis challenge!
mallory123 about 3 years ago
i live in a small town and close to the mall so it wont be very hard for me!!!;)
djherrera about 3 years ago
this is going to be hard for me because i like getting to places fast and to be honest i sometimes run late, but i am going to try very hard to lower my speed :)
aqalilani about 3 years ago
walk every were and if far use a bike!
amerigreenbag over 3 years ago
I like the challenge very much.This is really for me the tough one.
Nika over 3 years ago
Yesterday I stated that I needed to do this because of the tires on my SUV needing air in them. Well, while driving home yesterday (@60 mph)I reduced the chance of causing a big accident because my rear tire blew out! Had I been driving my usual “speed”, I’m sure that it would have been something unavoidable w/me & the cars around me! Thank you carbon rally!
Nika over 3 years ago
Now this challenge will be exactly that for me; a challenge! I really want to be this type of driver so I will definitely accept this and use it to my benefit being that my commute to work 1way is 1 hr and 15 min.
SurlySteve over 3 years ago
I bike every where I need to go OPEC SUX
16950_touringbike_g_002
annarae over 3 years ago
i bike like everywhere and i really try to conserve gas
kbe over 3 years ago
I have no car and usually use the train to get to work. From tomorrow on I will be on vacation and have a car for at least one week. I already feel guilty to use it at all. The least I can do is driving eco-friendly (and less stressful).
celtia over 3 years ago
I walk to work
Carbonrally_Holly over 3 years ago
I will be getting a car soon....I usually drive a little faster than required, so I will slow it down lol!
thaowy22 over 3 years ago
Just moved to Arizona from California a couple of months ago, and even though those highway speed cameras are kind of scary, I love the mileage I'm getting on my car now!
dreamer over 3 years ago
I've always been a cautious driver when it comes to fuel efficiency. I drive a standard, so it's already making a difference!
manu over 3 years ago
i have a six cylinder car, using my friend's four cylinder when driving long distances has saved me some dollars over the past months. I never thought of the impact on the environment. I'll encourage more to do thesame.
Tim_1989 over 3 years ago
Here in the Netherlands, when people go to driving schools (which is obligated by law btw), they learn 'the new way of driving'. This includes driving very fuel efficient. We learn how to not let the RPM go to high and shift up a higher gear when over 2000 RPM and we learn how to shift back between 2000-2500, normally this would save up like 1 - 2 liters each tank. Which is at least something... Taking in to consideration that all people now have to learn this way of driving.
artypants over 3 years ago
On the rare occasion when I do drive I like to take it easy on the accelerator and do a calculated coast before stopping. This alone saves a HUGE amount of gas. Sometimes there will be an aggressive BMW behind me. Sorry dude, my kids future is more important than your need to speed.
Benicia Bebe almost 4 years ago
I can do this as long as my partner isn't in the car with me. If I go slower than 65 he thinks that something is wrong and tells me I'm driving strange. But this is not only easier on the gas it's also easier on my old chevy.
WaldenGirl66 almost 4 years ago
This is going to be the toughest one yet for me!! Driving the NJ Tpk everday I'm usually in fast lane complaining about everyone else on the road..too slow ...too fast...get off the phone...use your blinker...etc. But I will prevail!! :). I now slowing down is better for me, my car and the environment!
rreimer almost 4 years ago
I have removed all access items from my vehicles and have reduced my overall speed by 5 MPH. On one vehicle, the change was 3 MPG and the other was 6 MPG.
Greenworks14 almost 4 years ago
your right slowing down not only helps the planet but also helps save money.
EcoGuy101 almost 4 years ago
Simple, smart, and effective. Great idea
Christ almost 4 years ago
If I slow down another 5 mph, I'll be getting less gas mileage...
TheAutoMoto almost 4 years ago
You guys are great - We love what you're doing. Keep revolutionizing the auto industry one day at a time, we're all here to support you in making our world a better place! :-)
greenkeane almost 4 years ago
I'LL ASK MY MMOM
Goose almost 4 years ago
One of the best challenges I've seen yet. Do it! The time most gas is used is when speeding out of a stop, so you will see your gas tank become MUCH MUCH MUCH more efficient
marge201 almost 4 years ago
When I'm not in a rush, I set speed control to 52. I totally don't care that I'm going so slow. I get a lot more miles to a tank of gas and that is the bottom line!
savetheplanet1020 almost 4 years ago
yeah...this will be a hard challenge but i'll do my best :)
birdman (Carbonrally) about 4 years ago
Ford Fusion gets 81 MPG in hypermiling challenge. Check it out in "Treehugger":http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/ford-fusion-hybrid-challenge-81-mpg-1445-miles-one-tank.php
Krystal about 4 years ago
yes, I drive slow and dont stop on gas too much to save gas and better for our earth and the car :)
L0opz about 4 years ago
When my uncle drives, and the drive way or street goes down he just does not step on the gas nor break, he said that this does not waste gas. SO I started to inform family members about this and now we do this, well they do. Besides this girls don't drive so fast. They usually drive 5 mph less than the regular speed limit.
Ashley about 4 years ago
I recently just got my first speeding ticket, so now i'm affraid to speed anymore! This challenge will also help me make sure i go the speed limit
michelle1.roxs about 4 years ago
This is a good idea, but you should use bicycles more often too!
violetriot about 4 years ago
I am always dead-on the speed limit, but I think coasting and gradual starts and stops should help! and maybe some of these stats can help me convince my sister to be safe and conserve too.
veg head about 4 years ago
ummmm yaaa ill attemp.
omobadru_98155 about 4 years ago
Yah would recommend this to anybody out there, I have tried it couple of times and till today am still happy with the result. Apart from extending your life span, you also spare the cars some life and ultimately you saving the environment. Its amazing to see how people (mostly young, teenagers) drive fast. I do this too in the past but have realised a better option in life by driving at speed limit and not over.
robdip9 about 4 years ago
this may be tough, but if i can plan accordingly so as im not always running late i think i can make it happen. oh and my trunk will be empty aside from some emergency items by the end of today.
akhsand over 4 years ago
I use a motorcycle, how about that?
Ellee over 4 years ago
Wow - I am getting a perverse pleasure out of annoying drivers behind me as I coast to red lights at 5 mph! I am noticing so many drivers who keep their foot on the gas and zoom up to red lights and stop signs. My only problem with this green driving is that on down-hills I don't want to break so I can make it up the hill on the other side w/out much gas - and I end up going way over the speed limit! There is one down-hill on my commute home where a cop occasionaly hangs out and I've rehearsed my speech to him about why I'm going so fast! I also am loathe to come to a complete stop at stop signs on little used roads in my neighborhood. I wish they were yield signs instead.
VSCC-Kindle Farm School over 4 years ago
At our school, we use mini-vans for our main mode of transportation. Since, we are carrying precious cargo, we always go the speed limit or lower, especially through towns---many have speed limits in the walking parts of town of between fifteen and twenty-five miles per hour.
Mustang over 4 years ago
Set the cruise control at the speed limit -- no more tickets! Relax my legs, keep my feet off the pedals -- no more ache in the old knee injury! Let my hands do the driving, and my lips do the smiling -- cruizn' right on past the gas pump!
EyeloveMetal over 4 years ago
I have tried this in town, wasn't too hard.. I've never cared what other motorists think about my driving and unfortunatly i'm still in a gas guzzler (F-150) so no other cars can intimidate me.. but I am betting I'll have trouble doing this on the highway, but cruise control should help.. not having to rapidly slow down everytime I see a pig will be nice as well..
rallyer5983 over 4 years ago
considerning my lead foot...this one will help with keeping my husband from worrying about the threat of a speeding ticket every time I leave for work!
birdman (Carbonrally) over 4 years ago
Check it out... "hypermiling" is the 2008 Word of the Year according to the New Oxford American Dictionary. "wikipedia article":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermiling
Blossom over 4 years ago
I must stop rushing and overtaking everything that is running slow ahead of me. I have noticed that there is always a red traffic light waiting to set me back. I have decided to change my driving habits and enjoy the ride. It also saves on gas
agent47 over 4 years ago
I admit i tend to go fast while driving but i dont want to end like some of the people on the news who get into car accidents. So i ready to take this challenge. Oh by the way i rule!!!
MicheleRC over 4 years ago
1997 Honda Prelude - I started doing this about 3 months ago and have seen my average in-town MPG jump from about 17 to 20+. I had no idea it would make such a big difference. I have a standard shift and have also been paying attention to shifting at the correct points, rather than my formerly sloppy habits, and I think that's helped too. My goal is never to touch the brake pedal if at all possible! I also coast anywhere I can, including all the way down my parking garage at the end of the day :)
Krystle over 4 years ago
Yea to bicycles!
Mrs. Olvey over 4 years ago
I loved this challenge, and I'm doing it again. It's hard!!
Julio Verde over 4 years ago
This is going to be quite a challenge!
Scott over 4 years ago
Slowing down will also help reduce the potential for speeding tickets!!!
Jungle Jane over 4 years ago
I have taken this challenge and anytime I am going down hill I put my car in Neutral. I also started driving the speed limit and have noticed my gas lasting longer than it use to. I'll continue to drive like this and save on gas.
rallyer8078 over 4 years ago
I live in Boston, and the highways here can be a nightmare! This spring, my partner had a major health crisis, which necessitated my driving him to various doctors at least 3 times a week. Of course, I had to use the highway during rush hours. I soon found myself becoming filled with rage & anxiety when I got behind the wheel. It wasn't pretty. I decided it couldn't go on, and made myself drive the speed limit every time I got on the highway. It was hard at first, but now, when I get on the highway, I stay in the slow lane and put the car in cruise control at the speed limit. The benefits have been AMAZING!!! Not only did I immediately start to save up to 1/4 tank of gas each week, but I'm so much more relaxed behind the wheel! Now I watch as other drivers speed by me, and then slam on their brakes when the traffic slows down. And I'm coasting along at a nice even speed without any pressure! To top it off, our car is emitting far less CO2 than it used to! Benefits all around!
Rodeogrl almost 5 years ago
I have to admit this one is easy for me. I just got a minivan and in order to try to get the most mileage out of a tank of gas I have been driving slower and taking my time accelerating rather than stomping on the gas. My biggest challenge is getting the hubby to follow suit!
Thomas_72827 almost 5 years ago
I am driving in the middle of Europe about 60-70.000 km per year with my car. Usually I am a relaxed driver with average speed on the high way of 100-120 km/h. The average consumption of my car is about 7,4 l/100km My target for the next 10.000 km is to reduce this consumption by 10%. This is a real challenge because I have to recognize every minute by planning my trips, AC, stopping the engine at the traffic light etc.
montana_lela_59241 almost 5 years ago
I've been driving 55mph for a while now. I drive a 1991 Station wagon, mostly on the highway. The problem with taking the back roads is (I live in Montana) most of the time they go 10 to 15 miles out of your way. But I have been making sure everything is out of my car. My car doesn't have air conditioning, so that isn't much of a problem. Regular oil changes, tire pressure checks + rotations, and clean fuel filters help tons. The best way I have found for me is to do it all on one day. Make every other Friday the day that you check everything. And a helpful tip of advice I learned from my father - if there is a nail in your tire, DO NOT TAKE IT OUT! So far this challenge has been pretty easy.
DAMNN GEENUH [[SS4L]] almost 5 years ago
To be honest, this will be hard for me. but I am going to do it. I don't really break very hard, and my trunk and car are pretty empty. The only thing I have a problem with is not getting pissed and speeding around the dummy going 25 in a 60! :P I will also get a mymilemarker.com to try and help save my gas. :D
MsAnneThrope almost 5 years ago
I am going out to empty my trunk right now! And then I am going to the gas station and checking my tire pressure.... I have already adopted the less aggressive way of driving, which has been very hard for me - I have a lead foot in a bad way. I get impatient with others on the road and tend to speed and accelerate quickly. It has been very hard, and I'm not perfect every day on this, but I have drastically changed my driving habits. I used to drive 80-85mph in a 70 zone on the highway, but now I rarely ever do over 70mph, and most of the time I only do 65...this has increased my MPG from around 24MPG to 30MPG on the highway - It really does work. I find myself being much calmer as well, as driving faster seems to draw others that drive with a lead foot to want to race you, even if you just want to be left alone and get to your destination ASAP. Driving fast seems to draw out the idiots....even if they're not driving any faster than you, they still seem to think that they need to be first in line...it never fails. So, driving more "relaxed" is not only better for your gas tank, it's better for your mood...and safety.
mariah_78759 almost 5 years ago
I drive a 5 speed '97 Accord, when I purchased it in 2001 I would get 30mpg combined hwy & local. 11 years later with regular maintenance I still get the same mileage if not better. Changing your oil, air filter, checking tire pressure (40 psi it may be a harder ride but you really get results) and doing a tune up on a regular basis can really make the difference in maintaining high mpg rates. I even found a set of tire gauges that screw onto the valve stem that alert you when your tire pressure is below 32psi. The one thing that has always helped me save on gas is coasting in neutral whenever possible and not using the AC until going faster than 40mph. Combining trips and carpooling for weekend activities has always been my goal. Also I always fill up after dark or first thing in the morning before the sun is up, I've heard the cooler the gas is the less evaporation that occurs when pumping. I am definitely going to ease up on the throttle when starting from a stop and getting on the highways then maybe I can make that jump to 35mpg or more.
neilcrist_98065 almost 5 years ago
I leave my autodisplay now to show real time mpg efficiency. I play a game with myself to see if I can make it all the way to and from places without ever dropping below 30mpgs. The results have been HUGE. I increased my total fuel efficiency from 19.6 mpg to 25.7mpg after 3 tanks of gas!
periwinklefrank92_54667 almost 5 years ago
I have trouble not driving slow, so this is easy. I hate driving, but I live fifteen minutes from the nearest town.
mLou almost 5 years ago
Yes, I need to routinely empty my trunk of excess weight ... I drive less aggressively and park at the first available spot (no dillydallying). It was Pres. Nixon who regulated a max speed limit of 55 mph in efforts to reduce consumption by 200,000 barrels of oil a day. Driving slower definitely helps my mpg.
cerealkiller almost 5 years ago
I also heard when you stop on light, you can actually put the gear on neutral, and by doing that you don't need to brake, you can save the gas. I don't know if it is true or not. Does anybody knows about this?
adrian almost 5 years ago
I tried to drive slower and my gas mileage went from 27 to 26!! I'm not sure why. Anyway I do try not to let my car idle as much and instead of driving somewhere to get lunch at work, I just make lunch at home, better for me and cheaper too!
hgracie almost 5 years ago
I started driving 10 mph slower about 6 months ago. I started driving on secondary roads, and back roads instead of the high way. If I have to take the highway I only dive the speed limit, nothing over. Just leave a bit sooner!
ericab317 almost 5 years ago
In addition to this one, we're not hovering in parking lots for close spaces at the store and mall. We just take the first open spot. Less breaking and gassing going for the close spots and less time with the engine idle.
birdman (Carbonrally) almost 5 years ago
I am doing this now, and my drives are much more relaxing. I crank up the tunes, sit back a little. I'm learning that it is OK if people pass me on the highway.
KlumZie almost 5 years ago
I don't drive yet. (:
dsthomas68_16434 almost 5 years ago
I've been 'smart driving' when I do drive. Living in NW PA, there are many hills and valleys so shifting to neutral going down hill, I can even coast into my own driveway after about a 1/2 mile of being in neutral. Slower driving has helped too, but my speedometer doesn't always work, so I can't track my mileage like I'd like to. I LOVE my cruise control on the highway, tho I don't really think it would help in the 'hills' as it does on level pavement as on the highways. Since I'm not on a schedule as most ppl are, speed is only a choice for me. Not when I leave late or am in a hurry, because I have no schedule for the most part. I keep getting onto my husband when he 'guns' the motor as he leaves a driveway or stop light. There is no need for that for the most part.
Danielle almost 5 years ago
I actually started doing this a few months ago. It became a competition I had with my family. I kept striving for higher miles per gallon rates everytime I filled up my tank! My family doesn't believe me but I am getting almost 10 miles over the suggested mpg of my old 2001 Saturn. Who knew I would ever love doing math in a gas station parking lot as much as I do now!
greenthumb almost 5 years ago
What's the rush? About two months ago I began to drive more slowly (leaving the house earlier and not getting crazy by rushing everywhere AND following the posted speed limits). I also challenged myself to drive as little as possible by saving up errands and combining many cartrips into one. My neighbor and I decided to coordinate grocery shopping when one of us goes marketing. It works! I am more relaxed, having more quality time with my family, saving money tanking up the car and am getting about 25-30 more mpg on a tankful of gasoline in my car.
x CrazyTurkey x almost 5 years ago
This one should be too easy, since I can't drive in Korea anyway.
gwynnes almost 5 years ago
Aargh...this is the first challenge that actually HURTS! I'm going almost everywhere using my scooter anyway to save gas, but I'm determined to leave 5 minutes earlier for every trip and s l o w d o w n. Speed's my thing (on the road, I mean) so this one is painful. Do we get extra points for how hard it is?
dcdarling_95409 almost 5 years ago
I'm already doing pretty much all of the challenges around cars, compost, electric power, and so on. Here is a trick I learned on Car Talk on NPR on Saturdays. It's for those of us with5 speed manual transmissions: Skip 4th gear. Shift 1-2-3-5. Use 4th only for hills, curves or tricky city driving. You can shift into 5th at about 30mph and you'll save around 5 mpg on the first tank! Really! Don't lug your engine, be sensible. But we can shift into overdrive much earlier than we think. Try it. really. Diane
creativecomponent almost 5 years ago
I use cruise control on 30 to 45 mph zones. It really does help you consider the speed limit. People sure get mad though, when you drive the speed limit.
Mr.Environmentalist almost 5 years ago
Also, accelerating and then slamming on the brakes wastes gasoline. The energy that is supposed to carry the car for about another few hundred or few thousand feet is converted by the brakes, so it doesn't go any more. In conclusion, don't accelerate to quickly and brake.
1039smooth almost 5 years ago
This is why one of the presidents (I don't know exactly which one, I wasn't paying that close of attention in history) changed the national hwy speeds to 55 mph. also in math class, we learned that you get the best gas milage at about 50-55 mph (depending on model) So going slower than that is actually decreasing the milage
4thannbac almost 5 years ago
slow down could also be a safety factor as well...less stress while driving, reduce no. of accident, alleviate road rage, etc... excellent challenge!!!
Angel almost 5 years ago
another key to mileage increase and carbon decrease is not to accelerate fast,.... I drive a 07 honda accord that the epa mileage is like 29 while ive been averaging 39, remember keep it slow = keeping safe, don't accelerate fast and instead of fully using your brakes to stop a little bit away from the point where you're stopping take your foot off the gas this decreases your idling. We can and WILL get this done. SS4L
mama1520 almost 5 years ago
I am definitely an agressive driver, but I've decided to cut back on gas mileage. I'm actually cruising at the speed limit and using my cruise control more on the interstate. There are quite a few stares from people when driving the speed limit and quite a few road rages going on out there!
melissamccoy_80202 almost 5 years ago
I've already started doing that and am a big proponent of it...after all, that's why 55 mph was originally set as the speed limit, because it's generally the most fuel-efficient speed to drive at! And my mileage has increased substantially - last fill-up I calculated my mileage (combo of highway and city) to be 36 mpg. And btw, I drive a 1995 Geo Prizm, so those commercials for "fuel-efficient" 4-door sudans which boast about "moving forward" and such with high mileage technology really get to me. C'mon America, let's start making progress!
roy almost 5 years ago
I reduced my highway speed to 55 mph a few months ago and have noticed a significant improvement in mpg. While the trips take a bit longer, I find the lower speed relaxing and I feel safer than I used to.
greengiant almost 5 years ago
we recently drove from Durham to Washington, DC for a family get together. We drove the speed limit or slightly lower and increased our gas mileage by a couple miles per gallon. I didn't notice much difference in the length of time it took. And we were more relaxed (except for the speeders going around us).
Joanie almost 5 years ago
Yes, I really need to slow down especially since my son is starting to drive. I must set a better example. Good challenge.
marge201 almost 5 years ago
I mean traffic lights, traffic signals. A highway. Not local driving. But of course you all understood that.
marge201 almost 5 years ago
On any highway without lights, use cruise control. Most people I mention this to don't use it, don't know how to use it. Not only does it keep your speed at a steady number thus using less gas, it guarantees no speeding ticket. And the BEST REASON is that you can drive with your right leg BENT as if you're sitting in a chair. My car and I'm sure all others has the "gas" and "brake" on the steering wheel, which only works when in cruise. Of course you can always slam your foot on the brake if need be. It is SO COMFORTABLE to drive in cruise with a bent legs!!
k00kykelly almost 5 years ago
I use mymilemarker.com to keep track of my gas mileage. I love seeing my mileage increase on the chart as I have been trying to drive slower on the freeway recently.