Energy Conservation Project: Part I

This blog details my brainstorm of an energy conservation project which I did as a requirement of my Integration of Tool Software class.

Question:

How many more miles can I get per gallon if I exercise certain fuel-conserving driving techniques while I'm driving my car? For instance, not breaking around corners, shifting down a gear when I'm driving down hills instead of breaking, not following too closely behind the car in front of me so I can let off the gas to slow down instead of using the breaks, not going over 55mph, etc.

Assumption:

I think I will get an extra 10 miles to the gallon if I drive very conservatively.

Requirements for my Research:

For my project, I will need to know how many miles per gallon my car gets. I will then need to know how many miles per gallon I get after I perform the experiment. I will be collecting the data at the gas tank. I will keep track of how many miles I have driven and how many gallons of gas I have pumped. I will do this experiment twice: once when I'm driving normally, and once when I'm driving very conscientious of burning fuel. I will keep all of my data in a log book. I will keep track of the dollar signed as well, because it is also interesting to know how much money I actually save.