EcoDriving Pays Off During the Busiest Driving Time of the Year

EcoDrivingUSA Offers Three Easy Tips to Reduce Carbon Emissions and Fuel Use

WASHINGTON, June 22 One-third of travel for the year takes place during summer and more than three-quarters of those trips are taken by automobile, truck or RV. This summer, EcoDrivingUSA, an educational program sponsored by the Auto Alliance, is encouraging drivers to take three simple steps to improve their fuel-efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

Practicing EcoDriving produces the highest mileage from every single vehicle--regardless of size or age--and can reduce gas use and carbon emissions significantly by as much as 15 percent or more. This summer, EcoDriving is highlighting three easy EcoDriving tips that can help many Americans start driving green:

  --  Turn the engine off when waiting at a curb to save more than half a
      gallon of fuel for every hour that would have been spent idling.

  --  Tire pressure changes an average of one PSI for every 10 degrees
      Fahrenheit change in temperature, so maintaining proper tire pressure
      can improve gas mileage by about 3 percent. This can earn drivers a
      free tank of gas every year.
  --  Avoid rapid starts and stops. This is not only safe, but it can save
      more than $1 per gallon, according to the U.S. EPA. While improving
      fuel economy by up to 33 percent.

During summer driving months, gas prices tend to rise, but green driving can lessen the impact. The Auto Alliance and its 11 global automakers are working to educate consumers through EcoDrivingUSA. The site features a full list of EcoDriving tips, a video guide to EcoDriving, and a variety of educational tools, including the all new EcoDriving Quiz.