Gas-Saving Moment of the Day: Lose Some Weight

Remember how we told you that added weight in the car could cost you mileage? Well, we're not just talking about the golf clubs in your trunk.

In 2006, studies by the University of Illinois and Virginia Commonwealth University determined that today’s drivers’ added weight is responsible for 938 million extra gallons of gas a year compared to their forebears in the ‘60s.

Since 1960, the average weight of an American has increased by 24 pounds. Each extra pound in the car, times all the cars on the road today, accounts for more than 39 million gallons of gas a year. Factor in the average 24-pound body-weight increase, and that’s nearly a billion extra gallons of gas based strictly on the additional body mass of the American populace.

Look, you've been meaning to get in shape anyway, right? What better time than now, when it will save you money at the pump?

Study: Weight Gain of U.S. Drivers has Increased Nation's Fuel Consumption (Green Car Congress)

Related:
More Gas-Saving Moments of the Day (KickingTires)

Comments

It's not just the USA that sufferd problems related to weight factors - we Brits are just as guilty - overweight is now the norm

don't forget, if you walk or bike to more places, you would improve your health AND use less gas (more so by not driving, less so by weight a few pounds less)!!!

not only do people go to mcdonalds, they do it in their cars and then go to the drive tru. at least get out of the car and walk in. even at work rather than walk across the hall and talk, people use the phone and email.

and that four-lane highway between you and the mall forces you to use the car.

What could be worse?
An overweight driver waiting at the drive through to get the baconator sandwich that comes with 840 calories.