The third part in our series of blogs on driving greener to save more fuel.

Go…. When Driving -

* Drive smoothly – pulling away fast can use 60 percent more fuel.

* Slow down. Drive at the speed limit. Driving at 70mph can use up to 30 percent more petrol than driving at 50mph.

* Think ahead to avoid sharp braking – it just throws away energy and money.

* Avoid using the air conditioning, open the air vents instead! Air con uses 15 percent more fuel than the air vents. All on board electronics are also using extra fuel, the rear screen heater for example adds 5 percent to the fuel consumption. Switch them off if you don’t need them.

* Change gear between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm – this can save up to 30 percent of fuel. Listen to your engine.

* It’s better to switch your engine off when in stationary traffic. You use more fuel with the engine idling for 60 seconds than if you switched off and restarted 60 seconds later.

* Did you know….. traffic lights are programmed to change according to the speed limit. If you are stopped at one red light but then drive on at the correct speed you will usually find that by the time you reach the next few sets of lights, they will be turning green for you. Try it and see.

* Careful motorway driving will improve safety and traffic flow. The concertina effect caused by one motorist breaking sharply often results in traffic slowing to a near stop due to the delayed reaction of drivers behind. If we drive pro-actively, and try to observe the car three or four ahead. Then we can give ourselves some distance from the car in front. We can anticipate and judge the necessary speed. When you see a car up ahead start to brake, simply remove your foot off the accelerator. By the time you get close to the car in front the chances are that they will have accelerated and moved further on.

Driving greener and safer saves you fuel, and the welcome side effect is you are helping to save the planet in ways other drivers cannot be bothered with.

Sarah

—————————————————————————————

Share

Tweet