The most overlooked tool in the fuel-efficient driver’s kit can only be found by looking inward. Drivers in Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago may not like to hear that their contributions to traffic problems are significant. Every driver during rush hour is capable of causing a traffic scare with a simple flick of the wrist or stomp on the gas peddle. Automotive experts like Edmunds have joined government agencies like the California Energy Commission to promote better driving behaviors as a way to save fuel.

We have all experienced the scourge of sitting in our cars as bumper-to-bumper traffic moves at a snail’s pace along the highway. The dwindling weeks of the summer season include weekend and Labor Day trips to beaches and resorts that take twice as long as necessary due to heavy traffic. Every driver will find a point in these weekend trips where the car will be completely stopped due to construction, disabled vehicles and accidents. It is important to note the importance of putting cars in park and shutting off engines when idling lasts more than a few seconds.

Most motorists are familiar with the standard 3,000-mile oil change and checkup at their local lube shops and dealerships. These motorists entrust mechanics to drain out old oil and insert new blends that will help their vehicles run efficiently. It is critical for every driver to know that oil added to a vehicle matches the recommended oil by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

Every driver knows the feeling of dread when dealing with fellow motorists operating at different speeds. The flow of traffic depends on the slowest and fastest vehicles on the road, which can lead to frustration for drivers in the middle. It is important for every motorist who is abiding by the speed limit to know that this adherence to state and federal law can relieve stress at the gas pump.

The lofty promises and early returns on hybrid vehicles in the United States show a slow but steady move toward fuel-efficient vehicles. Poulsen Hybrid is hoping to accelerate the market for hybrid vehicles while dealing with the issue of vehicle obsolescence with its hybrid conversion kit. Most kits that have been tried in recent years have required professional assistance and adjustments to a vehicle’s vital systems. The manufacturer’s kit promises to help drivers perform their own conversions with its unique rear-wheel attachments.

Drivers who are using fuel-efficient vehicles will see their miles per gallon level decrease as they neglect their tires. The condition of car and truck tires is related directly to a vehicle’s performance. These rubber products act as buffers between vehicles and roads that contain ice, snow, rain and other debris. It is critical that every driver keeps his tires properly inflated in order to realize higher gas mileage and enhance security for passengers.

Most drivers think about their cruise controls as tools for keeping their feet from falling asleep during long trips on the interstate. The cruise control feature that is standard in most cars can keep fuel costs low when used properly according to Edmunds.com. This automotive website performed tests on several vehicles to determine how much fuel is saved when drivers use cruise controls during highway trips.

Many consumers are overwhelmed by news stories covering the rapid rise of gasoline throughout the world. These stories highlight the frustrations of motorists who are driving less and trading in gas-guzzling vehicles without providing solutions. HybridMile will feature a post each Tuesday that highlights ways to cut fuel consumption as gas prices soar.

Scientists and researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have helped Australia jump into the zero-emissions fray. The university’s Institute for Sustainable Futures was contracted by developer Szencorp to create a plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) that would work well as a commuter car. The end result is the UTS/Szencorp PHEV which was presented for the first time this week in Melbourne.

The 12th annual Taipei International Cycle Show drew out hundreds of innovators interested in showcasing the latest in green bicycles and man-powered vehicles. The show took place from March 13th to 16th and brought in 922 entries for a contest to find bicycles that blend sustainability, form and function. The organizers of this Taiwanese event offered $37,000USD in prizes for the top three innovators along with dozens of other builders in specialized categories.