Every driver can be a smart driver.
Smart driving — sometimes called ‘Eco-Driving’—involves easy-to-implement tactics that any driver can do to save gas and reduce emissions.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Update
- Choose the least congested route to avoid idling in traffic.
- Slow down — Reducing your freeway speed from 75 mph to 65 mph can improve gas mileage by 15 percent, while reducing polluting emissions.
- Smooth and steady — Follow the speed limit and reduce aggressive driving to boost mileage by up to 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on streets.
- Anticipate – Adapt your speed to what is happening ahead.
- Tune it up — Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for regular oil changes, service and maintenance; regularly check filters.
- Lighten the load — Clean out your car and the trunk. Your fuel economy will improve 2 percent for every 100 pounds you remove.
- Pump ’em up — Check your tire pressure monthly and increase fuel economy 2 percent to 3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
In February 2016, MTC launched Drive Smart Bay Area, a campaign to inform drivers about how to improve their driving habits and vehicle performance — and reduce emissions. Read the press release.