Coast when you can,

[kimmerspixelated]

It may save some gas!

Traveling down to my daughter's busstop, I realized I only had to use the gas pedal once. I was able to coast along without stepping on the gas for quite a ways. It is something I really had to think of, to concentrate on, but it made me feel that I was doing a little something to conserve. A whole lot of little somethings can add up. Even if you don't live in the mountains or hillsides, there are many opps during your routine trips that you can employ the coasting method. Please give it a try. Maybe everyone could consciously coast along in an act of aggression towards gas prices, let's say. Do you think it would help matters in a collective way? Isn't it worth a shot for the planet, and your pocketbook? What if it knocked even five dollars off your weekly costs? What if that simple act helped to slow global warming? What do you think?

Let's take a trip to "The Coast"!:hi:

[dubeskin]

1. I've noticed that too

Recently we purchased a new vehicle with a little screen on the dashboard with all the information and stuff. And I've noticed that when I push the gas pedal, I get like 15 or so mph. But when I just coast, I can get anywhere from 50-75+ mph. Because of that, I've recently been exploring the Cruise Control because it helps keep a constant speed, and will actually save gas I've read.

And on your actual question, yes, it will save gas. I've noticed my gas tank seemingly getting bigger and me not having to fill up as much as I used to. I really think that if more people DID just coast they'd realize how much more helpful it is. Likewise, it sort of goes back to the idea that a slower speed will give you a better gas mileage because it's easier to coast at slower speeds.

[joneschick]

2. call it Mindful Driving or Hypermiling

I've been driving very differently and the difference in mileage was immediate. From my usual 18-20mpg (it's an old van and it's paid for. I inherited when my Dad passed away)I got 26-27mpg on the last two tanks. When I see brake lights I don't hit my brakes cuz I've made sure I have room to coast. If the light is red or soon will be, I coast. I think of it as not paying to get to stop. If the timing works out I avoid braking. :hi:

[kimmerspixelated]

4. Exactly.

[tridim]

3. Just make sure you don't ride the brake pedal

Braking just sucks up energy and throws it away, unless you're in a Prius.

[joneschick]

5. at this point I think of braking as wasting money I spent on gas

gas pedal=$ spent. It really is a mindfulness exercise. I pay much more attention to the traffic around me, the terrain, speed limits, space around me, etc. It doesn't always work out, but it does add up. :hi:

[tulsakatz]

6. I've been doing that for awhile.......

I saw some info on hypermiling on the internet and I've been trying to do that.......although I still don't think I'm doing exactly perfect but I'm trying.

Anyway, I've just been driving slowly and trying not to stop unless I have to.

I usually use almost half a tank of gas per week. I filled up almost a week ago and so far I've used not quite 1/4 tank!!

[Fovea]

7. I do

and then I pedal like hell when I have to.

Just got back from an 8 mile grocery shopping bike ride.
Came home with about 15 lbs of groceries.

[27inCali]

8. We have to do all the little things the best we can

and yes the little things add up and count big time.

[Seedersandleechers]

9. I think it's easier with a 5-speed

I coast in neutral and down shift instead of applying my brakes.

[tulsakatz]

13. I've learned to do that too........

in the pages I've seen about hypermiling, it says to stay away from the pedals if possible. I drive an automatic but I downshift to 2nd and 1st when I need to slow down instead of stepping on the brakes.

[JerseygirlCT]

16. My VW would allow me to "switch" over to a sort of manual

so I could do that. I've hesitated - I don't want to wreck the thing by not doing it right! But I think I should get in the practice.

[tulsakatz]

19. I drive a Nissan........

...so I don't have the option from going from automatic to manual but when I want to slow down, I just shift to second or first gear.

I imagine what it's like to drive when there's ice on the streets and then drive in a similar way. You just have to try to keep a lot of space between you and the car in front of you. Sometimes that's hard to do.....depending on the traffic.

[Individualist]

10. I've been a coaster since gas prices began going ballistic

Another thing I've been doing is shifting into neutral when stopped at a traffic light that stays red for a long time.

[pt22]

11. Stepping on the brake uses as much as stepping on the gas!

That might sound a little odd but think about it...every bit of energy that's converted into heat by the brakes had to be produced by burning an equivalent amount of fuel!
:D

[jtrockville]

12. I coast AND I shut off the engine at drive-throughs.

[tridim]

18. I've also begun rolling through non-busy intersections

I'll probably get a ticket eventually, but maybe the cop will understand. It costs real money to stop at an unnecessary stop sign now.

Yield is the new Stop. :)

[logosoco]

14. I think you are quite right!

I have "taught" myself to do this, and as my 16 year old son has taken up driving, I have been telling him to do this also. I think it really makes a difference. We live in a pretty hilly region. When my husband or older daughter are driving and we are nearing a stop sign or I can see the light up ahead is going to be red I tell them to slow down (they think I'm nagging them but I tell them it does make a difference.

[tulsakatz]

20. that's true........

..if you know you'll have to stop anyway, why use more gas to sit and wait at the light?

[JerseygirlCT]

15. I've noticed the same. The only

time it's a problem is when you find yourself behind a stop and go type person - you know, lots of gas, lots of brake, lots of gas. Hard to time yourself when they're being so erratic!

[Uncle Joe]

17. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the reminder, FitzmasAgain.