http://www.pico-car.com/feed/diys Pico-Car Do It Yourself en http://www.pico-car.com/diy/relaxed-driving <p>Aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. </p> <p>Generally, fuel economy is maximized when acceleration and braking are minimized. So a fuel-efficient strategy is to anticipate what is happening ahead, and drive in such a way so as to minimize acceleration and braking, and maximize coasting time.</p> <p>Driving behavior can significantly reduce the need of braking and acceleration. For example while approaching a red traffic light, a driver can ease off on the throttle and let the vehicle coast to the intersection adjusting speed to arrive at the intersection when the light turns green. This behavior reduces wasted energy in breaking, idling at the intersection, and then accelerating after the light has turned green.</p> Tip Do Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:55:26 -0700 pico-car 203 at http://www.pico-car.com http://www.pico-car.com/diy/watch-your-speed <p>While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. In general newer cars maintain peak fuel economy to higher speeds than older models. </p> <p>Optimal efficiency can be expected while cruising with no stops, at minimal throttle and with the transmission in the highest gear.</p> <p>You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.26 per gallon for gas. Drivers of vehicles with fuel-economy displays can check their own vehicles by cruising at different speeds and monitoring the readout.</p> Tip Do Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:53:25 -0700 pico-car 202 at http://www.pico-car.com