How Can We Improve Vehicle Effciency Now?

As we wait for technology to solve our vehicle efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions problems, there are things that we can do now with what we are afforded. There are adjustments that can be made in both our driving habits and to our vehicles with the current vehicle technology that can help make our vehicular travel more efficient and less polluting. Not everyone is financially able to go out and get the latest and greatest hybrid vehicle.

We can change the way we drive and when we drive to make a difference now. The most important change we can make is simply driving less and/or increasing our use of mass transportation. Although not everyone lives in an area with a convenient, comprehensive mass transportation system such as in many urban areas, we can decide to take the bus or train for long distance family travel. Granted, piling the kids into the Suburban and setting off cross-country to visit grandpa and grandma may be a classic American pastime, if we are interested in doing whatever we can to mitigate vehicular emissions, other options must be considered. In many cases, the same “fun factor” can be achieved on a family bus or train ride. It is, in many ways, a safer way to travel and, with gas prices staying elevated, it can be far more economical. Transport via the rail system for passenger travel can effectively reduce emissions as it does and could for the transportation of goods. Also, factors such as driver’s fatigue (dad taking the helm for 15 hours a day) and distraction (playing peacemaker with a violation of the armistice that had been achieved between your two elementary school aged sons and your adolescent daughter) are effectively eliminated. The fact remains in that more drivers on the road correlates to increases in accidents. While July 4th is the deadliest day, August tends to be the deadliest month for highway travel which can, in part, be attributed to families traveling for the summer vacations. So, long story short, take a bus, train, or a plane. It’s more efficient, safer, and, nowadays, cheaper.

When we drive, we can be better about how we do it. One thing is to stay off that gas pedal and drive speed limit. Much research has been conducted to determine the speeds of our roadways in regards to vehicle efficiency. As the chart indicates, fuel efficiency is maximized at the established speeds. The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can estimate an additional cost of $0.24 per gallon for every 5 mph you exceed the speed limit. Aggressive driving can also drastically reduce fuel economy. By punching the gas and braking erratically, you can lose up to 33% in gas mileage. In addition, avoid idling. Idling essentially translates to 0 mile per gallon. Another concession we can make is to use the air conditioning in vehicle sparingly and strategically. The debate continues as to whether gas mileage is reduced more by air conditioning or the drag created by driving with our windows down. The decrease in vehicle efficiency is brought on by engine drag, whether its due to the a/c drawing power from the engine or the increased aerodynamic drag caused by the windows being down. So which is worse? It depends. The rule of thumb is if you’re traveling at less than 40 mph, cool down your car by opening the windows. The a/c system can sap up to 14% of your engines output. At speeds that are faster, such as highway travel, it is more efficient to run the a/c with the windows up.

There are also steps we can take to improve vehicle efficiency through proper maintenance and monitoring. Regularly changing the air filter in your car can improve gas consumption, particularly in older cars. Newer cars are less affected by a dirty filter because the engine management computer will adjust the fuel delivery accordingly but, however, a clogged filter can result in higher emission of carbon monoxide. Tire pressures should always be set to the recommended levels. Tires that are under-inflated can cause them to sag which changes the contact patch. Not only is this an important safety issue, it can increase the friction ("rolling resistance") between the tire and the road. Finally, regular tune-ups and oil changes will help maximize the performance of the vehicle. A typical tune-up involves the replacement of the spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap on the vehicle as well as a inspection of the fluids and sensors that your vehicle requires to be running properly. Old wires and plugs can drastically reduce the efficiency of the combustion in the engine which means fuel is not properly or completely burned during operation. Oxygen sensors are integral part of the engine management system mentioned above and control the amount of fuel introduced into the combustion chamber. When theses sensors are malfunctioning, too much or too little fuel can be delivered to engine keeping it from running optimally.

We cannot sit idly by and wait for technology to address our vehicle emission issues. The next apparent development are hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels. Not only are most of these expensive investments in their present states, most are are not zero emission options. Yes, they may help mitigate GHG emissions but they are not necessarily the answer to our problems. A proactive effort needs to be made by vehicle owners now, in both driving habits and being more attuned to present circumstances. There are efforts that can be made immediately, at minimal cost, to facilitate the transition to better, more environmentally friendly ways to travel.