Saving gas in urban driving is as much about attitude as technique.
Here are some attitude adjustments that will help you use proper gas saving methods:
1. Get away from the "rush" mentality. Slow and steady inside you head produces slow and steady outside in your driving. Think calm and steady, like a smooth flowing stream or a turtle. Don't be a sheep "following" the racing pack, rather set your own pace. Learn to love other slow drivers and stay behind them. They'll be the ones getting the finger from others.
2. Reality check: often in city driving your mileage will suck. Roll with that. Don't get frustrated at all the stressful gas-guzzling incidents which inevitably occur in city driving--that will only keep you from maximizing the other opportunities. Accept there is a lot you can't control: being cut off, tailgated, traffic jams, broken lights, accidents. Your job is not to change what you can't change, but to look for and take advantage of opportunities when they do arise. Think of yourself like a basketball player patiently waiting for the shot.
And, frankly, sometimes your aim is to just waste less gas getting nowhere than the guy next to you.
3. View gas saving as a fun challenge or even an adventure. How far can you push the coast? What mpg you shooting for this tank? Can you push that half tank to the 200 mark? How fast can you take the turn and still be safe?
4. View parking further away in the parking lot as an opportunity for needed physical exercise rather than a burden. Are you really getting the daily exercise doctors recommend? Well here's a way to kill two birds with one stone.
5. Remember that hypermiling is much safer since you're keeping a buffer, driving slower, and not driving jackrabbit.
6. There's nothing wrong with taking a cheap competitive thrill from pulling through the read light sooner than jackrabbit driver who raced to the red and is now starting from stop.
7. It is simply impossible to get good gas mileage without focusing, so forget the cellphone!
4 comments:
If only it were that simple.
Gravity is the root of grace,
The mainstay of all speed.
A traveller of true means, whatever the day's pace,
Remembers the provision-van
And, however fine prospects be offered, is a man
With a calm head.
What lord of countless chariots would ride them in vain,
Would make himself fool of the realm,
With pace beyond rein,
Speed beyond helm?
Lao Tzu
True, coasting saves acceleration and will save you gas going down hill. But you need to be very careful when doing it ticket wise, I got a speeding ticket for coasting down a steep hill.
I don't think anyone recommends breaking the speed limit while coasting in neutral, or when driving normally! If you have that kind of long hill you should coast in gear for engine braking. Many modern cars have auto-shut-off of engine when coasting in gear with no accelerator pedal.
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