The best way to reduce your carbon footprint as a driver is obviously to drive less, but what if it’s not possible to bike, carpool or take public transit?  I still want to reduce the burning of precious fossil fuels, not to mention the carbon emissions, but for someone like me, walking, biking, carpooling or even taking public transit is not an option. I live in a rural area and face some pretty harsh winters.

In my eco-driving quest to find ways to cut down on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (a greenhouse gas), I found some helpful tips from EcoDriving USA™ and a well-known automobile manufacturer.  Ford offers these tips to help develop Eco-Driving habits:

1. Drive at posted speed limits. This is a tip that may save a life as well as fuel. EPA estimates a 10 to 15 percent improvement in fuel economy by driving 55 instead of 65 mph. On the highway, use cruise control whenever possible
2. Accelerate smoothly and brake gradually. Jackrabbit starts waste fuel
3. Don’t be an aggressive driver. Time studies show that fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and accelerating to and from a stop sign or traffic light don’t save much time but do waste fuel and wear out car components such as brakes and tires faster
4. Check your tires. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure. Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended pressure-this alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3 to 4 percent
5. Don’t idle for more than 30 seconds. Today’s engines don’t need to be warmed up. Prolonged idling creates excess emissions and wastes fuel. Start the car and immediately drive away
6. Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. This reduces aerodynamics and can reduce fuel economy by up to 5 percent
7. Don’t drive at higher speeds with windows wide open. It decreases vehicle aerodynamics on highways and lowers fuel economy
8. Maintain your vehicle. A properly tuned-up engine will run more efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel
9. Replace air filters as needed. Consult the owner’s guide for the recommended schedule
10. Use good-quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owner guide. Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 oil for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy. Only oils “Certified for Gasoline Engines” by the American Petroleum Institute (API) with the starburst symbol should be use

Ford has provided some great tips, but EcoDriving USA™ has started a green living movement.  EcoDrivingUSA™ is a national effort to increase fuel economy and preserve the environment.  They also have an excellent video on how to be an Eco-Driver which you can watch here.  It covers many of Ford’s tips and explains that moderate adherence to eco-driving tips can result in a 15% reduction in fuel use.   If you live in the US , EcoDriving USA™ will tell you if your community is EcoDriving – click here to find out.  California and Colorado were the first to get involved.  If half of drivers in the US followed moderate levels of EcoDriving practices, CO2 emissions would be reduced by 100 million tons annually.  That is the equivalent of heating and supplying power to 8.5 million households.

Plus, EcoDriving USA™ also has an EcoCalculator that you can use to calculate your annual CO2 emissions.  As an Eco-Driver, you can drive greener, save money on gas and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.  You’re in the driver’s seat, now take the planet to a greener destination by following some EcoDriving tips.