Conserve Vehicle Miles
Transportation makes up our greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Santa Rosa and anything you do to cut your time behind the wheel and to drive efficiently has an impact on our region's emissions! A 20 mile-per gallon car produces a pound of carbon dioxide for every mile driven.
Reduce your vehicle miles
1. Try people-powered travel. Stay fit and cut your greenhouse gas emissions by biking or walking instead of driving.
2. Take the bus!
3. Carpool. Find a friend or neighbor to share your ride.
4. Plan your trips better. You can achieve a 10% reduction in miles traveled by planning your errands and trips better. For the average driver that would result in producing 1,200 pounds less carbon dioxide every year!!
5. Try to live near where you work and play if you're moving.
Prepare before you drive
1. Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle you own.
2. Stay tuned: Changing air filters regularly can increase fuel efficiency by 10%, keeping tires inflated can save 3% and regular tune-ups can increase efficiency by 4%.
3. Plan your route to avoid idling in traffic. Idling for more than 15 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your car.
4. Warm up your car by driving. It's better for the car than stationary warm ups and results in fewer emissions.
5. Get rid of extra weight in the car: Every extra 100lbs you drive with decreases efficiency by 1-2%.
6. Fill up with biofuels like biodiesel or ethanol.
Drive efficiently
1. Accelerate and brake steadily and avoid speeding to increase fuel efficiency by up to 33% on highways and 5% in town!
2. Put on the brakes. Every 5 miles per hour you drive above 50 mph costs an extra 20 cents per gallon.
3. Turn off the car when stopped for more than 15 seconds. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon.
Reduce your long-distance travel
1. Avoid one round trip flight to the east coast and cut two tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
2. Connect over the phone or internet instead of traveling to long-distance meetings at least once a week.
3. Vacation close to home and explore the diversity of where you live.
