Driving Tips & Hints for Low Vision & Disabled Drivers

See Me Drive > Low Vision Driving > Driving Tips To Save Gas [3]

Driving Tips To Save Gas [3]

Brakes are for stopping
Keep your foot from resting on the brake pedal while driving. If you feel you are going too fast just let off on the gas pedal. Besides being the mark of an inexperienced driver the extra mechanical drag is using up gas and eating up your brake pads and rotors. Still don't think it makes a difference? Try riding a bicycle with the brake pads rubbing the wheels only slightly and you'll easily feel the extra effort required to pedal.

Get an E-ZPass and breeze through toll plazas
Are you still waiting on long lines at the toll booth? Get with the times and buy a monthly E-ZPass subscription and save a lot of time and gas. With an E-ZPass one can drive from New York to Washington D.C. with a side trip to Philly and never once have to stop to pay a toll. Your state may have a different name for it, but look into it.

Don't let the car idle
Excessive idling does nothing but use up expensive gas, produce more condensation in the oil making it thicker, pollute the air and rob money from your wallet. Back in the old days a car took several minutes to warm up on cold days. Modern cars however don't require that. Simply start up and the moment your windows are clear of any fog or frost begin driving, but avoid any quick acceleration for the first few minutes.

Turn off the car engine when waiting for more than a minute or so in a drive-thru line or when waiting for someone outside a store. It's amazing how many people throw money and gas away by not shutting off their cars when not it's moving. Turn the engine off if you are in park.

Choose your parking spot wisely
Park in the shade of a nice tree or building to keep interior temperatures down and lessen gas from evaporating.

Park in the garage
Parking your car in the garage instead of in the driveway can help in many ways. During the winter the car won't get as cold and so will start easier and take less time to warm up.

Share your tips
We'd love to hear about your gas saving tips and comments. Have you found them effective? Use the comment form below to tell us and it will appear here.

Continue to Part Four of Tips to Save Gas

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Disclaimer

Please understand that not every person with low vision is able to drive. This is a very serious matter that needs to be discussed with those close to you and your low vision doctor. Not only must you have vision good enough for doctors to correct, but you must also be willing to accept the challenge and go through what can be a long and arduous process that can last a year or more. This site is NOT a medical or an authoritative driving site nor affiliated with any and information contained in it does not override professional advice. Every person has different needs and capabilities so use this site merely as a stepping stone and discuss everything with your doctor, DMV official, auto mechanic... first! See the many topics below and feel free to add your driving comments and share your experience. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this site please pass it on to them.