Green means go, but if you want to go with better gas mileage, don’t bolt out of a red light or stop sign. You already know that speeding can reduce your fuel economy. Ditto for so-called ‘jack rabbit’ starts and other aggressive acceleration.
Gunning it from a dead stop can reduce your gas mileage by 5 percent. Flooring it when cruising on the highway can lower your mpg by 33 percent. These bad habits also increase emissions from your car.
So next time you’re stopped at a red light or stop sign, or merging onto a highway, don’t put the pedal to the metal. Accelerate smoothly and slowly. Make that a habit and you’ll reap the rewards at the gas pump.
John Rockhold is a green car enthusiast and Contributing Editor for MOTHER EARTH NEWS. Find him on Google+.
