Being a scientist, I’ve been conducting my on experiment in fuel economy with my own cumbersome SUV.
My data is in, I’ve increased the fuel efficiency of my 2001 Ford Escape from 18mpg to whopping 23mpg. How?
1. Leave 10 minutes earlier
2. Drive 60-65 mph (# 3 lane, slow lane, not the
on ramp/off ramp lane)
3. Use the cruise control to maintain consistency
4. Drive with windows up on freeway (increase
aerodynamics)
5. Drive smarter (accelerate slower, coast more in
city traffic)
I’ll add that once I got used to people tailing me and swerving around me on the freeway, my stress level decreased greatly. I’m in the slow lane, they can always go around, that’s what passing lanes are for.
Also, when I drive this way more people get a good look at my “STOP THE MORTGAGE BAILOUT” bumper sticker….
On a side note, I’m not proud of driving such a fuel inefficient auto, but I’ve got over 100,000 miles on it – I’m hoping by the time I drive it into the ground in a few more years, the trend toward more fuel efficient vehicles will have increased dramatically.
