Ford's got tips that can reduce fuel use by 24 percent
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Ford and Pro Performance Group took a group of volunteers from Phoenix, AZ and gave them some lessons on eco-driving. The results? Average fuel economy savings of 24 percent (ranging from 6 to 50 percent) simply by changing driving style. Volunteers learned specific driving behaviors such as keeping rpm constant, smooth braking, driving at constant speed at 55mph instead of 65mph and keeping tires properly inflated. Drivers used all types of vehicles: passenger cars, SUVs and trucks. The EPA estimates that if all Americans drove using these ecotips (yes, there's another list after the jump), the U. S. could save 22 billion gallons of fuel per year.
Ford's ecodriving program was born in Germany in the early '90s. Ford USA "imported" some of the master trainers to Dearborn to not only to teach a new batch of American instructors, but to set-up standards to certify eco-driving instructors. These instructors will train Ford's fleet customers to save fuel, but their lessons will be available for everybody.
Gallery: Ford Ecodriving lessons
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
10 ECO-DRIVING TIPS FOR EVERYONE
Below are a few tips to help drivers conserve fuel and save money at the pump, while at the same time helping the environment and improving traffic safety.
1. Slow down and watch speed - Drive 55 miles per hour instead of 65 to save fuel. EPA estimates a 10-15 percent improvement in fuel economy by following this tip. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine. Using cruise control whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speeds and conserve fuel.
2. Accelerate and brake smoothly - Accelerating smoothly from a stop and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the car components, such as brakes and tires, more quickly. Maintain a safe distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for more time to brake and accelerate gradually.
3. No idling - Today's engines don't need a warm up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don't leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off in non-traffic situations, such as at bank and fast food drive-up windows, when idling more than 30 seconds.
4. Check your tires - Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended tire pressure. This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3-4 percent. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle's door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure.
5. Be kind to your vehicle - Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel. Replace air filters as recommended. Use a fuel with good detergent additives to keep the vehicle engine clean and performing efficiently. Always consult the Owner's Manual for proper maintenance.
6. Travel light - Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy, reducing it by as much as 5 percent. Remove excess weight from the vehicle. Unnecessary weight, such as unneeded items in the trunk, makes the engine work harder and consumes more fuel.
7. Minimize use of heater and air conditioning - Use heating and air conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine. Decreasing your usage of the air conditioner when temperatures are above 80 degrees can help you save 10-15 percent of fuel. Use the vent setting as much as possible. Park in the shade to keep car cool and reduce the need for air conditioning.
8. Close windows at high speeds - Don't drive with the windows open unless your keep your speed under 50 mph. Driving with the windows open at highways speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel economy.
9. Choose the right oil - Use good quality, energy-conserving EC oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the Owner's Manual. Look for cans marked with the symbol ECII, which is the American Society of Testing Materials logo for fuel-efficient oils.
10. Consolidate trips - Plan ahead to consolidate your trips. This will enable you to bypass congested routes, lead to less idling, fewer start-ups and less stop-and-go traffic. Whenever feasible, share a ride and/or carpool.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brent 8:22PM (8/28/2008)
I drive eco, I am getting 40mpg out of a Suzuki Esteem!
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Jeffrey 9:10PM (8/28/2008)
Imagine that.. common sense approaches that certain political parties made fun of not so long ago... and the media just went with it!
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ale 10:41AM (8/29/2008)
driving 55 mph? Hah, try that on the interstate, I'm sure you'll continue to do it. Great now we're telling people to go 10-15 under the limit, ahhh traffic is gonna be flowin smoothly.
(65 on most interstates, 70 on I-95)
Ken 6:56AM (8/29/2008)
Anybody else tired of hearing these same old methods of increasing gas mileage? Been there, done that. You can keep your tires properly inflated without much difficulty, but driving a constant speed? Good luck doing that during rush hour.
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brn 12:44PM (8/29/2008)
Ken, I'm not tired of hearing it. People who read boards like this, already know all this stuff. Most people don't. They see sensationalistic stories about those crazy hyper-milers and don't relate it back to something more practical. It's good to see companies like Ford (and others) pushing that if you drive right, your car will get a lot better mileage.
This stuff may be tiring to you, but it needs to be repeated until it's common knowledge.
gene 2:04AM (8/29/2008)
As usual, Obama got it RIGHT and McCain got it WRONG.
The Truth Will Out
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GoodCheer 10:14AM (8/29/2008)
To be fair, it was mostly that screwball Newt that got it wrong... at least I haven't seen McCain weighing in on tire inflation.
gene 2:06AM (8/29/2008)
As usual, BO got it RIGHT and McC got it WRONG.
The Truth Will Out.
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Noz 3:51AM (8/29/2008)
I have a suggestion for Ford on how to save mileage...
STOP BUILDING SUCH OVERSIZED, OVERWEIGHT PILES OF COW MANURE.
That'll improve your mileage by at least 50%.
Thanks Ford.
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MemphisNET 10:10AM (8/29/2008)
The public wanted them, and the manufacturers gave them. Don't blame a company for building something that was demanded. They only went wrong with a balanced product lineup, which is hurting them now.
Sensible driving has delivered 29US-mpg (hwy) out of my Magnum R/T and 41US-mpg (hwy) from the 01' Neon 5speed, both rated WAY lower. I'm saying US-mpg because if I told you the Canadian MPG you'd be in even more disbelief :D
I drive 90% hwy so that's the only number I usually worry about. I will admit that in the city the Magnum is quite dismal, but I rarely use it for city work except for towing or large shopping trips. I also use US-mpg because if I told you the Canadian MPG you'd be in even more disbelief :D
MemphisNET 10:12AM (8/29/2008)
Damn... I copied when I should have cut..... it's too early..
Richard Pealer 9:07AM (8/29/2008)
I've been driving ECO for the past few years. I'm getting over 38mpg out of my '06 Scion xB. The adjusted '08 EPA numbers are, 26 city - 30 hwy. Not bad for a toaster on wheels.
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James Sonne 5:51PM (8/29/2008)
I drive 60 mph on the interstate all the time. I'm in the right hand lane, and everyone passes more without issue. In fact, I've found I get into FAR FAR fewer conflicts with other drivers when I'm going well under the speed limit than when I am "going with the flow" at 75+mph.
In my Acura RSX I get 43mpg interstate, and about 35 around town. EPA says it's something like 26 city, 30 highway. I calculated, 55 mph would get me to about 47mpg if my curve plot holds true. I'm happy with 43, though. Not much more savings after that.
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