Eco Friendly Driving
Eco-Driving - Save Cash and the Planet!
Eco friendly driving has recieved a lot of press recently, with the rise of the urban 4×4, the increase in fuel prices, and the ever present threat of global warming. In essence it is a driving in a manner which uses a little fuel as possible.
Many people will happily take on the environmental issue, but unfortunately this is a switch off for some. For those who think that Eco Driving is only for hemp and sandle wearing, hippy, vegetarian pinko lefties I will say one word - MONEY.
Every time we press the gas pedal in a car, we raise the dribble of pennies out of the exhaust to a flow of 20p pieces. Every time we gun the gas to push past another car in a stream of traffic (besides putting ourselves in danger and managing to save all of 3 seconds on our journey time) we raise that flow to a flood - start thinking pound coins! Every time we push this hard to overtake when it isn’t really necessary we have to brake hard - this gas/brake action doesn’t do the mechanics of any car any good, so again - IT COSTS MONEY - this time on maintenance.
A good eco-driver can save up to 35% on a bad eco-driver. So if these 2 drivers fill their car after the same number of miles, over the same kind of roads, the good driver will pay £19.50 for their fuel, and the bad on £30.
£10.50 MORE EXPENSIVE EVERY FILL!
Even small changes can make a difference, most drivers can expect a change of around 10%.
(Over 10,000 miles - an average year’s driving in a small petrol hatchback this means at least £100/year. A family sized 4×4 doing 15,000 miles a year could save more like £300)
1: Shift up as soon as possible
For petrol/LPG cars, shift up before 2500 RPM, for diesel cars before 2000 RPM.
2: Maintain a steady speed
Use the highest gear possible and drive with low engine RPM
3: Anticipate traffic flow
Look ahead as far as possible and anticipate to surrounding traffic
4: Decelerate Smoothly
When you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear
5: Check the tyre pressure frequently
25% too low tyre pressure increases rolling resistance by 10% and your fuel consumption by 2%.
Find out more from www.ecodrive.org.
Already, driving instructors are tested on their eco-driving ability in their part 2 examination of driving ability. There are plans for this to be introduced for the Learner test.
Save money, save stress, and without knowing it you’ll be able to feel smug about saving the environment (and don’t worry, you won’t suddenly want to wear socks with your sandals)!
All content © Tim Manwaring