Six ways to drive a little greener
By Laurie Posted on March 3rd, 2011 in Latest News, Must Reads, TravelDriving green doesn’t mean investing in a smaller, fuel-efficient car or opting for a hybrid. You can easily start driving green with what you already have. Here are six tips to help you get started:
Go smooth
Do away with jerky, sudden movements with the gas pedal. One second of wide open throttle
creates the same amount of carbon monoxide emissions as 20 minutes of normal driving, so be a little more gentle with the gas. Green Car Tyres.
Try: Circles Into Squares – Relaxing Renaissance & Celtic Music for Yoga, Massage & Meditation, a new CD guaranteed to calm you while driving.
Early to shift
Manual transmission drivers should avoid revving their engine unnecessarily – no matter how “cool” it sounds. Your engine burns less fuel if you shift a little earlier than you normally would.
Try: Blue Planet’s Recycled Eyewear – you’ll look even cooler than revving your wheels. Check out Wilder
and Jaia, two of our favourites.
Plan your route
Need to do a lot of errands? Have an appointment on the other side of town. Staying away from congested areas, hills, different speed changes and stop and go traffic allows you to burn less fuel to your destination.
Try: a Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch GPS Navigator or keep it simple with an 2010 United States Road Atlas
.
Use the cruise
A constant or steady speed burns less fuel than frequent and abrupt changes, so if you have the option, use the cruise control when you can.
Try: With your car in cruise, you can be a little safer while simultaneously enjoying your morning coffee. Enjoy it in an Aladdin Recycled and Recyclable 16-Ounce Mug. Comes in a variety of bright colours!
Go for shaded parking
Your car’s interior will be cooler, and the air conditioning might not be necessary – letting your car drive a little cleaner while you cool down.
Try: An eco-friendly alternative to plastic or reflective sunshades, like the Jumbo Cardboard Sunshade
Never idle
Drive-thrus, canal bridges, border crossings, and waiting for someone should be avoided at all costs. Do what you can to shut it off if you know you’ll be longer than a brief moment.
Try: Have a book on hand in the car for times that you might be stuck in the car. Check out new eco-driven titles, such as Good for Business: The Rise of the Conscious Corporation, The Green Workplace: Sustainable Strategies that Benefit Employees, the Environment, and the Bottom Line
, and Frugillionaire: 500 Fabulous Ways to Live Richly and Save a Fortune
. Green Motorhomes for Sale
Image courtesy of arval.be Buy car insurance Paramus Honda
About becoming an Ecoki Author
Requesting an eco product review
About our Ethical Marketing Packages
Join the Ecoki Kiva Lending Team to help people around the world!

















Discussion Take a look at what is being said about this article.
John Davids, on September 21st, 2009 says:
Good ideas.
I’d love to say not to drive at all, but sometimes, its inevitable, as I live on the outskirts and its the only way to get to my job! I never thought of these.
Thanks!
Kelly Y., on September 21st, 2009 says:
I love how a Garmin is tied into this but it’s true – if you know where you are going, you won’t screw around in the car and eventually get lost.
Cindy, on July 16th, 2010 says:
I just came across a couple of great apps for the iPhone called GreenMeter and Fuel Saver. Both use your iPhone to evaluate your driving habits so that you can pay attention to when and how you are using the most gas. They actually measure things like your braking and acceleration. I can’t wait to give them each a try.
Thomas – Electric Car, on April 15th, 2011 says:
The style of driving is one aspect you could improve. Yet for most of the people its difficult to change their habits. For them it maybe could better to use a more efficient technology to drive greener instead or in addition to the try of changing their habit. Electric cars are a very efficient way of driving and with a contract which delivers green energy you are very close to the ultimate green mobility.
However most of the people don´t really trust in electric mobility due to the limited range. Therefore Green & Energy and Dottribes created the iPhone app iEV which analysis the individual driving style and tells you about which electric vehicle could be suitable for you.
tiffany and co outlet, on June 4th, 2011 says:
Thanks for you sharing.That is good article.I like it.