MADISON – As you hit Wisconsin’s highways this Memorial Day weekend consider eco-driving as part of your journey. Eco-Driving is a style of driving resulting in safety, decreased exhaust emissions, and fuel savings. It is a simple way to impact the environment and your pocketbook without purchasing a new vehicle.
“Not all Wisconsin consumers have the opportunity to drive a flex-fuel, biodiesel, or hybrid vehicle, but everyone can save fuel and increase air quality through simple changes to driving habits,” said Judy Ziewacz, Executive Director of the Office of Energy Independence. OEI is partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to promote cleaner driving habits.
The Office of Energy Independence recommends 5 easy ways to save fuel this holiday weekend.
1. Chill Out – Aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking wastes gas by lowering your mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% around town. Accelerating and decelerating slowly can save up to 2 miles per gallon.
2. Slow Down – Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.
3. Tune Up – A car in tune consumes 20% less fuel. You can also lose up to 30 gallons of gas by not tightening your gas cap properly – listen for the click.
4. Pump It – Americans waste 2 million gallons of gas each day because car tires are under inflated. Gas mileage drops 1% for every pound of tire pressure below the recommended level. Properly inflated tires last longer and are safer.
5. Turn Off – Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. You will save more gas by turning the engine off and restarting it if you expect to idle for more than 30 seconds.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers on-line resources that will help you learn more about eco-driving like the XRT: eXtraordinary Road Trip program designed to teach individuals how to analyze transportation variables that affect air quality. To learn more about eco-driving, visit http://extraordinaryroadtrip.org
