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Learning how to drive all over again
By Keith Turner
February 25, 2008
A recent test of the impressive 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reminded me that driving a hybrid vehicle involves a bit of driver retraining.
Sure, the process still involves pressing the gas and brake pedals while steering in the general direction that you want to go. But there’s more to driving a hybrid than just following the basic rules of the road.
In fact, whenever I’m behind the wheel of a hybrid, I feel like I’m learning how to drive all over again. That’s because purchasing a hybrid vehicle means that you’ve made the conscious decision to conserve fuel and to help improve the environment.
The key word there is “conscious.”
Over the years (OK, decades) that I’ve been driving, the procedure pretty much hasn’t changed. Get in — drive — get out. Fill up with gas and cringe at the prices on the pump. Get back in — drive — etc.
However, making a conscious decision to improve your fuel consumption means that achieving this goal depends on how you choose to drive. Drive with a heavy foot, your gas mileage decreases dramatically. Use a feather-light foot on the gas, and you’ll see an immediate improvement.
This cause-and-effect driving game to save fuel clearly keeps the driver more engaged in the process of preserving fuel as he/she goes about the daily deliveries.
Read the DogCars.com review of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to see what prompted this driver to wag his tail with delight.
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