Ecodriving - the benefits for RVers

ECODRIVING - HOW RVers CAN BENEFIT

Reduced fuel consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions
and reduced accident rates

Ecodriving has been adopted widely by many European countries. In some, Sweden for example, it is now part of the requirements for the driving test!

Roaming Times believes it is particularly useful for our readers in times of increasing fuel prices and increasing environmental concern, because:

You can reduce your fuel consumption - by 10-15% or even more
You can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions - we all need to help
You can cut accident rates

RoTi's GOLDEN RULES FOR RVers

R	Reduce your speed - if you drive at 55 instead of 65, the EPA estimates you can save 10-15%
O	Only change speed when you have to - don't pump the accelerator - use cruise control - anticipate traffic flow. Fewer speed changes equals less fuel
T	Tires - check them regularly - according to EU research, 25% too low tire pressure increases rolling resistance by 10% and your fuel consumption by 2%
I	Idling - According to Ford, today's engines don't need a warming up, even in cold temperatures. Start and immediately drive away. Don't leave your vehicle idling - it wastes fuel and increases emissions

RoTi help:
RoTi Environment section

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READERS' COMMENTS

(Latest comments first)

What do you think? - add your comments here

author	comments
dAP	Those are good rules, thanks. Others who are reading these comments may want to check out UCAN.org and order their FREE pamphlet titled- 'GUZZLER BUSTER: 127 Secrets to squeezing more miles from each gallon. This will add greatly to the four tips you've presented here.
Coachman99	I would stick to fourlane divided highways if I could find a map showing them. This lets me slow down from interstate speeds, and I like them more anyway. Where can I find this map of four lanes, please send to my e-mail too, chas.massey@frontiernet.net
wes	To Greengal:Just wanted to know how greengal tows her prius? I was told that a prius can't be towed? I would love to find out so I can tow mine! Thanks.
AzTransplant	What John A. and some others may not know is that diesel motorhomes must dump air from their air bags before they level. When they get ready to leave, they MUST run the engine in order to add the air back to the air bags before they bring up their leveling jacks. So, that is the reason diesels run a while before they take off; it is not because the driver is wasting fuel.
Kath Norman	This is good and very easy to remember. My husband are using it leaving a park in Michigan this morning. I drive and normally run the engine for 10 minutes at least while my husband disconnects. This must annoy sleeping neighbors but I thought it was good for the engine. Today we did all the prep first and then we turned on and left immediately. We're going to stick to 50 with cruise control and vary speed only when necessary. We checked the tires and they were all about 10 pouds low except one that was nearly 20 pounds low. We'll correct this today. We've always checked fuel consumption at about 6.8 to 7.0 max. We'll see what we get today and let you know.
John A	Idling is very common with RVers. It's not unusual in an RV park to see big diesel RVs stood idling for long long periods before the driver leaves the park. Idling is unnecessary, gets 0 mpg and annoys all the neighbors.
greengal	We would love to have the option of getting an RV with hybrid/diesel technology that would get at least 20mpg. We aren't into the denial or pointing fingers to justify owning a 38' diesel pusher. What we do is pull our Prius and use it for day trips while we are traveling. It isn't perfect, but it is still cheaper than having to stay in hotels and eat out everyday. Keeping the RV well maintained and keeping the speed down a little does help. We just returned from a 10K, 3 month trip and it will be awhile before we can justify paying $4.899 for diesel again at 10 mpg.
Homer	While it is true the RV is a fuel guzzler, it is infrequently used on the highways. The surest way to decrease fuel consumption is to impose strict speed limits on all vehicles. This will make even Rv's a little more fuel efficient.