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VIDEODriving Like Terrified Grandmother Saves Fuel, Inspires Wrath
By
Scott Reeves Apr 17, 2009 2:10 pm
Who needs brakes at a red light, even if it is "green"?
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The Wall Street Journal has a terrific story about “eco-driving” that contains some tips, but has little real-world application, thanks to the hordes of drivers with horns and in a hurry.
The key: The rigorous application of common-sense driving tips combined with a bit of nuttiness -- coasting, for example -- can significantly boost gas mileage.
This make sense:
“First, watch the tachometer, not just the speedometer, and shift gears before the car’s engine speed reaches 2,000 revolutions per minute to minimize how hard the engine has to work,” the Journal says. “Second, don’t tailgate because tailgating requires a lot of unnecessary braking and accelerating.”
But this is nutty:
“Third, coast if an upcoming light is red, letting it turn green so there is no need to stop.”
That might work at 2 a.m., but who wants to be the guinea pig -- or more likely, the sacrificial lamb -- and try that one in city traffic with hordes of frazzled drivers behind you in a rush to get to their destination?
But virtue does have its rewards. Morgan Dresser says she used similar techniques to boost her truck’s fuel economy to 21 miles per gallon from 15, an increase of 40%. Her results beat Toyota’s (TM) advertised mileage for the model.
“I’ve been honked at,” Dresser told the Journal. “I’ve been yelled at: ‘Grandma!’ I just laugh.”
To which most readers will say, “Good for her. Please excuse me because I’m late for work.” Or more likely, most drivers don’t want to fret about babying their vehicles because they’ve got more important things to think about when driving. The flip side is that for many, driving is a time to slip into a semi-vegetative state and avoid the pressures of the day.
There’s no doubt that a lighter foot on the gas pedal will save money because jackrabbit starts and screeching halts gobble gas and increase the wear-and-tear on your car. Turning off the engine when heavy traffic comes to a halt for extended periods makes sense.
The basics of eco-driving have been taught in Germany since 1999. An odd place, the Journal notes, because it’s home to the autobahn and the Porsche. Ford (F) promotes eco-driving in Germany.
In the US, Nissan (NSANY) plans to offer an “eco-peddle” within 2 years - a sensor that warns drivers when acceleration is too fast. The system will push back against the driver’s foot, a not-so-subtle reminder from Big Brother that few are likely to appreciate, even if it saves gas and money.
For most, eco-driving will be filed next to plans to lose weight, learn French and fix that dripping faucet that sounds like a hammer in the middle of the night.
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