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Tips for driving the SmartWay®
- Buy smart
Use our Green Vehicle
Guide as a resource in selecting your next vehicle. Our Guide
provides air
pollution scores and greenhouse
gas scores for all vehicles. The higher the scores, the better
for the environment. Compare the scores of different vehicles, or
just look for the SmartWay
certification mark to find the superior environmental performers.
You may be surprised to find that even if you need a larger vehicle,
you may have cleaner choices. The better the fuel economy, the more
money you'll save at the pump, while also reducing our dependence
on oil.
- Drive smart
- Be aware of your speed - obeying highway speed limits can save
fuel, as well as prevent pollution.
- Avoid rapid accelerations and braking, which burn more fuel.
- Use cruise control and overdrive gears.
- When you aren’t in traffic, turn off the engine rather
than idle for more than 30 seconds.
- Remove excess weight from your trunk, and if you have a removable
roof rack and aren’t using it, take it off.
- Take care of your vehicle
- Your vehicle is designed to perform best when maintained according
to the instructions found in the owner's manual. A poorly maintained
vehicle can be more polluting and less fuel efficient than one
that's well-maintained. If the "Service Engine Soon"
light comes on, you may have an emissions problem, so have your
vehicle checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
- Keep your tires properly inflated - Low tire pressure means
lower fuel economy.
- Replace your air filter regularly. A clogged air filter can
reduce fuel economy significantly.
- Use your vehicle less
- Whenever possible, combine activities and errands into one trip.
- Take advantage of public transportation and carpooling.
- Bicycling or even walking can be suitable (and healthy) transportation
alternatives.
- Take care when filling up
Gas fumes are harmful to you and the environment. Topping
off your tank beyond the automatic shutoff point will cause fuel spills
as well as emit more toxic fumes into the air. In very hot weather,
try to refuel early in the morning or late in the evening when less
fumes evaporate. And if you live in an area that has Ozone Action
Days, try to avoid filling up on those days.
- Use Alternative Fuels
If you own a Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV), you can fill your tank up with
a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol or with traditional gasoline.
Ethanol is produced from renewable crops such as corn, and has lower
greenhouse gas emissions. To find out if you own a FFV, go to the
Department of Energy's Alternative
Fuels Data Center  .
Their Alternative Fueling Station Locator will help you locate alternative
fuel stations in your area.
Find out what you can do to save fuel, money, and the environment with
SmartWay:
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