Individual Eco Driving
Consider investing in an Eco-Driving course at Alconbury Driving Centre for you and your staff or maybe the whole family. It will pay for itself very quickly in less fuel, less wear and tear to your vehicle, not to mention less pollution into the environment. In the meantime a few simple tips are listed below.
1 Tyres
In a 2010 study Michelin revealed more than 370 million litres of fuel is being wasted every year because of underinflated tyres, totalling a staggering £435 million. It is inevitable for some air to leak from your tyres over time, so check their pressure regularly to save you cash at the forecourt, stretch your tyres’ life and improve tyre grip.
2 Oil
Dirty oil causes friction and increases engine wear, and as a result has a negative impact on fuel efficiency. Check the level of your oil on a weekly basis and keep track of the last time you had a complete oil change so you will know when the next one is due.
3 Servicing
An engine that is serviced and maintained at the intervals suggested by the manufacturer will run at optimum efficiency and as a result won’t have to work as hard. A well maintained engine sips less fuel and will also help you avoid major repair expenses in the long run.
4 Remove Roof Racks
It might seem obvious, but roof racks and roof boxes can greatly undermine your car’s drag coefficient and negatively impact your fuel bill as a result. The same goes for non-manufacturer bits like spoilers and wings which often do more harm than good by adding both extra weight and aerodynamic drag.
5 Eco Driving
Adopting eco-friendly driving techniques can have a massive impact on your fuel bill – saving you as much as 25%. Avoid sharp braking and accelerating, stick to the speed limit and select a higher gear when you reach 2,500rpm in a petrol car or 2,000rpm in a diesel car.
6 Reduce Weight
Carrying unnecessary weight like full-size spare wheels and baggage like golf bags, tools etc around in your car is not a good idea if your aim is to cut your fuel bills. According to dedicated fuel-saving website every 50kg of extra weight will increase your petrol consumption by about 2%.
7 Minimise Air Conditioning Usage
Tempting though it may be on a hot summers day to rely on your air-conditioning to cool you down, this only puts extra strain on your engine which in turn will cost you more at the pumps. Park in the shade to reduce the need for air-con, and open windows or air vents instead. (unless you are driving at higher speeds)
8 Avoid Short Trips
A cold engine is significantly less fuel efficient than one that has warmed up properly. Engine fluids like oil and lubricants thicken as they cool down, so your engine has to work harder and burn more fuel until these fluids have loosened up. Save fuel by avoiding short trips and drive especially economically until your engine has warmed up properly.
9 Consider A Newer Car
Spending money to save money doesn’t seem like a very logical approach but older models are significantly less fuel efficient than modern models, which can often offer a very impressive 70 miles per gallon. According to the RAC, a typical new £10,000 car can save you around £12 a week in fuel bills compared to an older fuel-inefficient model.
10 Eco Driving Training
A SAFED Course (Safe & Fuel Efficient Driving) is available at Alconbury Driving Centre for company van drivers. If you are an individual who would like an eco driving course please contact the Alconbury Driving Centre today.
