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Reduce summer fuel consumption 20% |
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Wednesday, 20 July 2005 |
If you drive a car, disconnect the A/C compressor to save up to 20% during summer* driving and 5-10% during winter. The refrigeration system used to cool the interior of the car could easily cool a 2000 square foot home! Scroll to the following EPA report to see several other ways you can reduce fuel consumption right now!
* At speeds greater than 50 MPH it is better to role up the windows and use the A/C only if needed.
Effect Conditions Average Fuel Maximum Fuel
Economy Economy
Reduction Reduction
Temperature* 20F vs 77F 5.3% 13%
Head Wind 20 mph 2.3% 6%
Hills/Mountains 7% road grade 1.9% 25%
Poor road Gravel, curves, 4.3% 50%
conditions* slush, snow, etc.
Traffic 20 vs 27 mph 10.6% 15%
Congestion average speed
Highway speed 70 vs 55 mph N/A 25%
Acceleration "Hard" vs "Easy" 11.8% 20%
Rate
Wheel 1/2 inch <1% 10%
Alignment
Tire Type non-radial <1% 4%
vs radial
Tire Pressure* 15 psi vs 3.3% 6%
26 psi
Air Conditioning Extreme Heat 21% N/A
Defroster* Extreme Use Analogous to A/C on some vehicle
Idling/Warmup* Winter vs Variable 20%
Summer with Driver
Windows Open vs Closed Unknown but likely small
Source: The Office of Mobile Sources is the national center for research and policy on air pollution from highway and off-highway motor vehicles and equipment. You can write to them at the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Phone number is (734) 214-4333.
Webpage: http://www.epa.gov/orcdizux/rfgecon.htm
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