2013 Audi A3

Carmakers to promote fuel-efficient driving

 
6 1,153 views May 19, 2008
Follow Nelson

Carmakers to promote fuel-efficient driving

Carmakers to promote fuel-efficient driving

Enlarge Photo
Driving in a fuel-efficient manner is often a matter of common sense, but it's still not a common practice. To increase awareness of things motorists can do to improve their car's fuel efficiency a coalition of auto manufacturers and private businesses are launching a campaign centered around a website that challenges people to drive smarter. The campaign will be officially launched tomorrow, May 20 in Washington, DC.

The website, called Drive Smarter Challenge, features an interactive interface that allows the user to select the manufacturer, model, year and engine of their car and then estimates the amount of money, fuel and CO2 emissions that could be saved by following the program's six-step method to smarter driving. The six steps cover topics such as accelerating more judiciously, braking less abruptly, properly maintaining the car and reducing total driven distance by walking, cycling or using public transport.

Once the web site's course is complete, users can 'challenge' friends to visit the website, and in return, receive a coupon for automotive maintenance products that can help in the fuel efficiency of the car, such as oxygen sensors.

The Wal-Mart Foundation and the Alliance to Save Energy are the leaders of the coalition, though Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota and six other, as yet unnamed manufacturers are also aligned with the group, reports Automotive News. Many businesses, political action groups and politicians are also supporting the program.



Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (6)

  1. By HECTOR Posted: 5/20/2008 5:21am PDT

    I'm sure I'm not alone among my fellow readers in hating that gauge in certain BMWs that tell you your MPG. It's like having your mother saying *you're driving too fast, you're wasting fuel*. I don't need the nanny over my shoulder, thanks, which is why I'll never buy a car that has one.

    This brings me to a second, semi-related point. A car manufacturer builds fame and reputation and then it can do pretty much as it pleases with little or no adverse effects. Toyotas and Hondas are known for reliability and people buy them in droves, notwithstanding the fact that they are basically boring vehicles or their we're-gonna-cram-them-down-your-throat DRLs or their badly placed, under the suspension exahaust pipe.

    So if car manufacturers of repute indulge in this farse of *fuel efficient driving* the motoring public, by and large, won't hold it against them. But I will.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By Stewie Posted: 5/20/2008 5:41am PDT

    Ever since I got my Acura w/ the trip computer -- my driving has definitely changed. Every time I see the bar that shows how mileage I am getting go down, I ease off of the gas. I also coast as much as possible to keep that bar high up ...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By Alan Posted: 5/20/2008 6:35am PDT

    Personally i quite like the MPG needle or gauge, for day to day driving, it encourages me to lower my fuel consumption and save money.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By Raptor Posted: 5/20/2008 9:40am PDT

    I don't really care how much fuel I burn. If I feel like wasting gas, I do. If I feel like driving in the upper third of tachometer, I do. It's my car and my gas and no one is going to dictate me how to drive. I don't care abot MPG and I especially don't give a crap about CO2.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By chris Posted: 5/20/2008 2:59pm PDT

    Hector; you're living in the past man. every new car has a fuel gauge on it. at least my ugly POS focus does, so clearly everything else in the market is superior so they should have one too. You'll be searching through scrap yards for 94 civic hatch backs in 2040 if you hate them that much.

    I agree with stewie and Alan, the gas gauge is a really good way to figure out what is really worth it when you're driving. I've found that during hard acceleration, I can go 90% instead of on the floor and waste about half as much gas while doing so. you really get to figure out where the sweet spot is and drive there.

    Raptor; I'm kinda the same way. its nice to open up the taps every once and a while. that being said, you really dont get much more for the amount of fuel that you're going through at higher and higher RPMs, unless you're driving older japanese I4's... I dont mean anything by this its just that american cars, and more modern ones (including the newer japanese cars) have got flatter torque curves. the older smaller japanese cars are only fun past 5k. But like i said, if you had one of those gauges, you'd be surprised how little gas you use when you're at like 80 or 90% throttle instead of 100, and you really dont get much more than that.

    Basically, with the fuel gauge, and the newer focus being a little better on gas, and much lighter, I've been able to get about 4mpg more,.. and I actually drive it harder. I take turns like a mad man, I accelerate hard (all the time)... but I also use cruise control, ALL THE TIME. big difference there.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By burke Posted: 5/22/2008 10:57am PDT

    The article makes sense: When my wife drives her Explorer V6 from Miami to Tampa, she uses 3/4 tank of gasl, When I drive it I can use less than 1/2 tank and still get there in the same time. Fuel efficiency is terribly "foot-sensitive." I can make 12.3MPG with my H2. Other H2 owners I know of can make 5-10MPG only. Highest fuel consumption happens when you start your car from rest. The problem gets even worse for cars with automatic transmisions. That's what hybrids cars have the electric motor for: Moving the car the first couple of seconds from rest. Those seconds are critical. The Prius starts silently for the first seconds and then the gas engine kicks in. I don't know if a gauge is going to help a lot but using common sense when you hit the gas pedal will definitely make a difference
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.