Ten Tips for Greener Driving
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Ten Tips for Greener Driving |
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Greener driving? A
contradiction in terms surely? But however green we are most of us need to drive
at one time or another and while it’s always greener to leave the car at home
when we do drive a few simple techniques can help us cut our fuel consumption. By
some estimates drivers can cut fuel use by nearly a third. Modern family vehicles are
as powerful as the 1960s Monte Carlo rally cars and new car efficiency ratings
are based on model driving. 10 Top tips (or 10
'Pokes in Jeremy Clarkson’s Eye') 1 Check your revs - change
up gear before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel). 2 Slow down! Especially on
motorways - fuel efficiency decreases rapidly after 60 miles an hour. Driving at
80mph rather than 70mph uses 10-15% more fuel. 3 Anticipate road
conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking.
The less you've got your foot on the accelerator, the less fuel you use 4 Check your tyre pressure
regularly - under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption
by up to 3% 5 If you’re stuck in a
jam or even stuck at lights, switch off – cutting the engine will save fuel
and stop emissions. 6 Use air conditioning
sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption. 7 Drive away immediately
when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid
engine wear. 8 Remove roof rack when not
in use – they increase drag significantly. 9.Avoid short journeys - a
cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take
five miles to become effective. 10 Plan your journeys - to
avoid congestion, roadworks and getting lost. Are
you a green driver? Find out with the Observer’s Green Driver quiz Read
about one journalist’s lesson in eco-driving The Energy
Saving Trust provides information to individuals and businesses about
how to increase fuel efficiency. And while we are on the subject of cars you’ll be pleased to know that 2006 will be the last year for the Hummer H1, the hulking, gas-guzzling status symbol despised by environmentalists everywhere, has, mercifully, been discontinued. |
Action for Sustainable Living, St Wilfrid's Enterprise Centre, Royce Road, Hulme, , M15 5BJ.Email: [email protected] Tel: 0845 634 4510 Fax: 0870 167 4655 |