Top tips for eco driving
by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing ConsultantBecoming more eco-friendly is a goal that
we should all be working towards. As environmental concerns remain at the
forefront of our current affairs, it’s important to try to make a difference in
whatever small ways you can – and this also applies to drivers. The city of
London already uses ultra low emission zones in order to charge drivers of
polluting vehicles money in order to travel and cities like Manchester and
Newcastle look set to follow suit. Although not everyone is a fan of these
methods, there are ways that you can drive to ensure you are being more eco-conscious.
In this article, used Peugeot 3008
dealership Motorparks explore some top tips for eco driving, helping you to
save money whilst also protecting the planet.
Be sensible with gear changes
If your vehicle is manual control, be sure
to change your gears as early as possible and at a modest engine speed. It’s
recommended that you change between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm as this can help to
reduce your fuel consumption by as much as 15% — thus releasing less toxicity
into the atmosphere.
In the past, vehicles weren’t as economical
as they are now with their increased weight and braking systems meaning gear
changing was more of a necessity to help slow the car down. Now, it’s possible
to slow without going down the gears, meaning that to drive economically, we
don’t have to move through the gears one by one. If you have a car made post 2014, you will
notice your model has a gear shift indicator which works to encourage use of
the most efficient gear.
Slow down
While this is also a legality, ensuring you
don’t drive above the speed limit can enhance your fuel usage. It’s estimated
that you will notice a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy if you travel at
55mph instead of 65mph. However, going too slow will also have a negative
effect. Travelling below 15mph means that your vehicle is emitting the most
pollution. It is because of this that cities began introducing congestion zones
to try to lower a huge build up of traffic in busy areas.
You should also be focused on the road and
read the situation as you are approaching traffic lights. By hard braking or
quickly accelerating, either to get through traffic lights or by moving off as
it turns to green, you could find that you are cutting your fuel efficiency by
a third. Sudden or jerky movements also put your engine under unnecessary
strain which will no doubt lessen its life expectancy.
If you’re on a major motorway, put your
vehicle in cruise control if you’re able to. This will make sure that you stay
at an economical speed and help you use less fuel.
Be wise with your gadgets
Do you really need your rear window heater,
headlights and demister fan on? If not, turn them off. This will be wasting
unnecessary energy and make you less eco-friendly. The same goes with your
air-con. Using your air conditioning system at a low speed will increase your
fuel consumption. The higher speeds you go, however, the less you’ll notice
this effect. When possible, choose to open your windows instead.
Check tyre pressure
Keeping your tyre pressure at its optimum
(this can be found in your buyer’s handbook as well as inside your door) will
ensure your car’s best possible performance. Over-inflation is just as bad as
allowing them to be too deflated. The pressure of your tyres can be impacted by
the change of seasons to, so be sure to regularly check them. Doing so will
also increase the tyre’s life span, which will save you money as you won’t need
to replace them as quickly due to worn tread.
Check your boot space
For some of us, our boot space is always
full. While this may seem innocent, it can actually affect your miles per
gallon. This is because the heavier your vehicle is, the more fuel you’ll
consume. Simply put, if you don’t need
it in your car for your journey, take it out!
Following these tips will help you cut your
fuel consumption, which in turn will help you lower the negative effect your
driving may be having on the environment. Of course, there are many other ways
to take care of both your car and the environment, so it’s vital you drive in a
sensible manner at all times.
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Created on Dec 2nd 2019 10:07. Viewed 374 times.