Experience has shown that putting one of these bumper stickers on your car will save you 3 miles per gallon, or much more depending on how sensitive you are to appearing hypocritical ;+>. One would feel pretty silly driving like a maniac while sporting this sticker on their car. Just think what 2 or 3 of these babies could do for your car's mileage!
While it would be ideal if everyone could go out and buy a new high mile per gallon hybrid, electric, or alternative fueled vehicle, there is much you can do with your existing car if you learn to change your driving habits. Plus, while you are helping save the Earth through these smart driving practices you will also save money, and extend the life of your car. - Lighter : It is simple physics that the work your engine must do is a relationship of force times distance. Since "force" equals mass times acceleration the lighter your vehicle, and the less heavy stuff you haul, the less work your engine must do. Much of the magic of high mpg cars is not their "hybrid technology" but is achieved through the efforts their manufacturers have made to shave weight wherever possible. You can also "lighten-up" by only carrying the cargo you absolutely need for your day. Resist the urge to load into your vehicle a "pantry", "office", "library", or "auto shop's" worth of materials.
- Gentler : Acceleration was mentioned in the last section. The more gradually you accelerate, the less gas you will use. Jack rabbit starts and stops, and needless zooming up to the next stop only to have to brake hard when you get there, wastes gas and dumps ever more CO2 into our atmosphere. Pretend you have a rotten egg resting behind your drive pedal that will break if you push it too forcefully. Driving gentler might not "prove" to the cars around you what your vehicle is capable of, but this style of driving can help you become more peaceful. You will do less violence to our climate, and your more courteous, peaceful approach to driving just might spread to others around you!
- Slower : Most cars are more efficient at speeds in the 50-60 mph range. Slowing down can noticeably improve your gas mileage. Also, it is just plain wasteful to rev your car up to a high speed only to brake soon afterwards at the next intersection.
- Less : This is a no brainer, but can encompass so many mindful practices: let walking or bicycling places where you need to go anyway be your exercise routine; carpool with friends and co-workers; plan your car trips wisely, so that you can accomplish more of your errands in a single trip; shut off your engine if your car will be stopped for longer than 30 seconds; choose car routes, and travel during times of the day that help you to avoid traffic; cultivate hobbies that do not require you to burn more fossil fuels; live nearer to where you work; ___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________.
A great, fact-filled "Driving Tips for for Climate Protection" resource: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/climate/getInvolvedDriver.htm
Lower Cost Driving Tips from Yahoo:
http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerreports/article/lower_cost_driving.html
Drive 55 Conservation Project
http://www.drive55.org/
Time to Replace Your Car?
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/common-sense-on-climate-change-solution-1-make-better-cars-and-suvs.html
The Alternative Transportation Club and
Electric Auto Association of Northern Nevada
http://electricnevada.org/
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