Eco driving

 

Want to save money and reduce pollution at the same time? Drivers would do well to follow the advice set out on the AA’s web site, which is full of useful suggestions on how to do both.

Car choice plays a big part in the extent to which your motoring affects the environment, but whatever car you use there are a number of things you can do to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and the other pollutants arising from road traffic.

The AA claims “these eco-driving tips are the motoring equivalent of insulating the hot tank, fitting low energy bulbs and not leaving the tv on standby – simple, common sense tips that really will make a difference.”

 

Maintenance

• Regular Servicing – Get the car serviced regularly (according to the manufacturer's schedule) to maintain engine efficiency.
• Engine oil – Make sure you use the correct specification of engine oil (refer to the handbook)
• Tyre pressures – Check tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and so use more fuel.

 

Before you go

• Consider alternatives – If it is a short journey consider walking or cycling rather than taking the car.
• Lose weight – Extra weight means extra fuel so if there are items in the boot you do not need on the journey takethem out and leave them at home.
• Streamline – Roof racks/boxes create extra wind resistance and so increase fuel consumption. If you do not need them take them off, if you do, then pack carefully to reduce the extra drag.
• Do not get lost – Plan unfamiliar journeys to reduce the chance of getting lost and check the traffic news before you go too.
• Combine short trips – Cold starts are inefficient so it pays to combine all your errands into one trip, rather than making multiple short trips. Fuel consumption is worse when the engine is cold and pollution will be greater until the emissions control system gets up to normal temperature.

 

On the Way

• Leave promptly – Do not start the engine until you are ready to go. This avoids fuel wastage from unnecessary idling and ensures that the engine warms up as quickly as possible.
• Easy does it – Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
• Decelerate smoothly – When you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.
• Rolling – If you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better. Stopping then starting again uses more fuel than keeping rolling.
• Change up earlier – Change gear as soon as possible without labouring the engine. This can make a real difference to fuel consumption.
• Cut down on the air-con – Air-conditioning adds to the load on the engine and increases fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Use it only when necessary rather than leaving it on all the time.
• Turn it off – Any electrical load increases fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights, when you do not need them.
• Stick to the limits – Drive at or within the speed limit – the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and the greater the pollution too.
• Do not be idle – If you do get caught in a queue avoid wasting fuel. Turn the engine off if it looks like you could be waiting for more than three minutes.
• For more detailed information go to www.theAA.com

 

Useful linkks

www.smartdriving.co.uk
www.uk-roadsafety.co.uk
www.beyonddriving.co.uk
www.ecotravelling.co.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk