Can I Save Almost $500 in Gas Costs?

Just got this via email:

The Alliance to Save Energy, made up of 18 member companies, trade associations, government agencies, consumer group and nonprofits (including the Wal-mart Foundation, ExxonMobil and the NRDC) recently joined forces to launch: http://drivesmarterchallenge.org.

Focused totally on transportation, the new Drive Smarter Challenge campaign aims to help consumers cut gasoline costs through efficient driving tips and practices.

Taking the Alliance’s Drive $marter Challenge means pledging to take from one to six actions that will produce measurable reductions in gas, money, and CO2 emission. A calculator on the site computes not only an individual's savings through her or his individual actions, but also computes a running tally of savings by everyone who has taken the challenge. It demonstrates the impact of one person's actions multiplied by similar fuel-efficiency actions of family members, friends, and colleagues of all the people who share the tips and challenge others to participate. Once taking the challenge, the site also delivers money-saving coupons for fuel-efficient products.

The new site encourages people to:

• Check out and download money-saving driving and vehicle maintenance tips.
• Take the Drive Smarter Challenge – choose 1-6 fuel efficiency actions – and immediately see your savings calculations (money, gasoline, greenhouse gas emissions).
• Help spread the word by telling 6 family members and friends about the Drive Smarter Challenge and become eligible for discount coupons for fuel-efficient products that can reduce gasoline bills.
• See how individual actions and those of others who take the challenge create a multiplier effect.

I can supposedly save $479 by following their six steps (assuming I wasn't doing any of them already -- though I am doing two of them.)

What's your take on it? Useful or weak?

Comments

[Rod Ferguson]

Eh. Common sense "tips"; I already do the things they recommend (although, I'd love to see their definition of "drive sensibly"). And, I'd guess most of the savings is found in reducing driving; I can attest that carpooling saves me hundreds a year.

I say it's weak.

[Thomas]

1. Tire inflation. I'm already at 44 psi!
2. Use the manuf.recom. oil. Why would I not use it?
3. Reduce vehicle miles 5%. Already walk for nearly all weekend errands, including all groceries. Starting to carpool once/wk...
4. Reduce agressive driving. I already accelerate slower than everyone, and sometimes feel like Mario Andretti behind me is going to run me over...
5. Drive sensibly. Same. Going 63 in a 65 isn't as bad as it used to be, now that everyone else isn't going 75-80 anymore...
6. Reduce junk in trunk by 100 lbs. Jack & lug wrench, spare tire, small toolbox (10 lb), WD40, spare quart of oil, spare belts, emergency jacket, roll of toilet paper. Which of these should I ditch? I guess I haven't needed the TP in the last few years...

I imagine the wackos like myself will find this site lacking in 'meat'...

I get 42 MPG summer / 36 MPG winter in my '94 Corolla wagon which EPA's at 34 Hwy, and it has 226k miles in it. I think the only thing I can do now is to duct tape over the wheel cover vents...

[IT Pilgrim]

The site for it is a little dorky. The suggestions aren't bad, but most of them are common sense, at least so I hope. I made a huge change during my recent hypermiling experiment, and I too am a little worried about the Mario Andretti behind me, but in for a dime, in for a dollar, so I may try to add a few of these.

I never thought about the oil I put in my car though .. oops. That one is definitely going on the list.