If you don’t have a spare $110,000 to plop down on a Lexus LS 600hL and would rather not spend months searching for a good used hybrid car, you can still drive in a more eco-friendly manner regardless of the vehicle you drive.  Sure a hybrid car is going to be better for the environment but everyone can take steps to ensure that they are driving more efficiently. 

As you learn to drive more efficiently, not only do you save money on gas but your car’s emissions are also lessened.  Do your part without having to plop down tens of thousands of dollars for a hybrid car.

Five Ways to Drive More Efficiently

• Lay off of the gas pedal and the brake and drive less aggressively.  If you rush up to a stop light and then brake hard at the last minute you’re using more gas than you should be.  The same goes for taking off at a green light like you’re Mario Andretti.  Ease into a red light and ease out of a green light.  Studies have shown that you can increase your fuel efficiency from 5% up to about 33% if you follow these two little rules.
• Don’t be a speed demon and use your cruise control if you have it.  According to a CNNMoney.com article from 2006, “When you drive faster than 60 mph, you get less mileage for your money (up to 23 percent less, or 67 cents a gallon).”  This is a significant change and some lawmakers are even considering a bill to re-instate a national speed limit of 55mph to help counter the effects of higher speed limits in certain areas.
• Limit the amount of time that your car is idling.  Idling eats up gas but gets you nowhere and it really adds a dense amount of pollution to the immediate area.  If you are in line waiting to pick up someone from the airport or a child from school, turn your engine off.  You’ll increase your gas mileage and reduce your emissions.
• Keep up with your car’s maintenance.  This may sound like a no-brainer but improperly inflated tires, clogged filters and the incorrect weight of motor oil could all reduce your car’s fuel efficiency and thus increase the car’s emissions.  Regular maintenance isn’t only beneficial to the car’s life expectancy but also to the environment.
• Combine your trips.  Commuting with someone in your office is a great way to be a green motorist without plunking down some serious money on a hybrid or more fuel-efficient vehicle.  If you’re a parent who stays home with the children, consider planning one day for your errands.  The less you drive the less pollution you’ll add to the environment.  UPS has taken this one step further and plans their delivery routes to consist solely of right turns.  Studies have shown that right turns are better on gas mileage.

These five tips to driving in a more eco-friendly way in your current vehicle are easy to implement.  Although a hybrid or more fuel-efficient vehicle might not be on your radar right now, you can take these steps to increase your gas mileage as well as reduce your emissions footprint.

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