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Jun 24, 2009 9:31 am US/Central
Minn. Senator Receives Lesson In 'Eco-Driving'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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A few major eco-driving tips is to keep your car's rpm under 2000, put the car in neutral when you are stopped at a light or in traffic, and look ahead for opportunities to coast instead of using brakes. (File)
WJZ
In this economy, we are all looking for ways to save whenever we can, especially at the gas pump.
In response to this, there is a new effort to get our kids thinking about fuel efficiency while they are training to get their drivers' licenses.
It's called "eco-driving." Experts have found that just a few simple techniques can increase your car's mpg, save you money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sen. Scott Dibble from Minneapolis was behind the wheel and took a valuable lesson in eco-driving.
Professional driving instructor Stephanie Reaves had some pointers for him.
"The goal is to try to keep the car moving," Reaves said. "The less amount of stops you have, the better. When you leave from a stopped position, try to keep the revs low. For instance, keep it around 2000 rpm on your rpm gauge. Lower revs is lower consumption, lower energy, lower emissions, everything."
A few major eco-driving tips is to keep your car's rpm under 2000, put the car in neutral when you are stopped at a light or in traffic and look ahead for opportunities to coast instead of using brakes.
In fact, Dibble gained 3 mpg after Reaves's quick lesson.
"It's all a lot of common sense," said Reaves. "We just don't really think about it that much."
Senator Dibble and state Rep. Frank Hornstein want new drivers to learn eco-driving techniques as part of getting a drivers' license.
"I think the young people are very environmentally conscious," Dibble said. "They're also very economically conscious. Certainly in this moment with the economy kids are already price sensitive--they don't have a lot of their own money."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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