News, Calm Down! How to Drive Green.

[CBB]

I simply can't calm down. There are so many sloooooow and hesitant drivers around and I always get angry although I try very hard to be as indolent as all the others ...

[HighPlainsDrifter73]

Originally Posted by Captain Worley

I like to feel acceleration and I can afford the gas, so....

udden, udden...

Same here. When I drive one of my hot rods, I like the feeling of acceleration and horsepower. At those times, I don't care about mileage. What's the price of fun? What am I working for anyway?

[GreenGene]

We have a Prius, and I knew I'd get good gas mileage, and I have. But in reading Prius and hybrid-related online forums, I learned how to drive the Prius to maximize the gas mileage. I've applied these simple, common-sense techniques to our Sienna, and darned if I'm not getting noticeably better gas mileage with that as well.

Simple things like slow down (not to a crawl, but somewhere between the speed limit and the speed limit plus 5); accelerate gradually (no jack rabbit starts); anticipate stops and slow down gradually (no slamming on the brakes); maintain good air pressure in your tires. It's not rocket science.

If I'm on the interstate, I'm in the right lane unless I'm passing someone. If I'm on a two-lane road, doing the speed limit plus 5, and some jerk is tailgating me, I just put on some music, set the cruise control, and imagine what all that type A behavior is doing to that poor slob's blood pressure.

[plaidmom]

Whoa, some interesting comments here.

So, if you won't calm down to save gas or save wear and tear on your car.....what about slowing down to save your life?

Stress is so so hard on your heart and your health.

If you find yourself clenching your fists around the steering wheel, "racing" to beat the lights, and swerving in and out of traffic, you probably need another outlet.

Racing of some sort (motorcycles?), skydiving and white water kayaking might be sports you should look into to blow off some of that steam. Just sayin'.

p.s. yes I realize most of those sports mentioned aren't "green", but you probably offset the effect with better, safer daily driving.