Eco driving: Save fuel, money and the environment!

Ever since green consciousness has steadily increased in last thirty years, society seems to be more aware of pollution prevention, resource conservation, recycling and using clean sources of energy. Ideas and best practises of green driving are not new, on the contrary, it have been there for years. People have realised that simple changes on their driving habits can save money, reduce wear and tear on their cars and above all save the environment. However, in many cases people may well still ignore smarter driving techniques or simply do not know about it.

Plethora of opinions and advices are floating around, however carrying out ten good green driving tips are far better than following thirty techniques – it is simply because ten techniques are easy to remember and can be easily incorporated into someone’s habits. Frequently, it is augured that best practises of green driving are subtle, which may or may not signify the benefits that you seek but the cumulative actions will certainly provide the benefits that people normally wish for.

It is often said that you cannot manage what you don’t measure. Monitoring fuel consumption is therefore very important in the first place to find out the ratio between the fuel consumption and the distance driven. Here are the easy steps that can be followed to find out consumption rate in litres in every100 kilometres.

Step 1: While filling up your car’s fuel tank, note the distance (in kilometres) from the odometer.

Step 2: When you fill up the tank next time, note the amount of fuel required (in litres). This gives you the data for the amount of fuel consumed.

Step 3: Note the distance immediately from the odometer and subtract it from the previous noted distance. This gives you the data for the distance driven.

Step 4: Perform the following calculation:

Amount of fuel consumed (litres)

__________________________ X 100 = Consumption rate (litres/100km)

      Distance travelled (kilometres)

Step 5: You can repeat above steps when you fill up the fuel tank to compare the consumption rate with the previous one.

(Source: Eco mobile –motoring fuel consumption 

http://www.ecomobile.gouv.qc.ca/en/ecomobilite/tips/monitoring_fuel_consumption.php)

Here are a few simple tips to help you save fuel, money and the environment:

• Plan your routes ahead especially for the longer journeys. You can avoid the known road constructions or congestion areas. If you do not have any satellite navigator then look for road maps to avoid to get strayed off course.
• Drive smoothly and drive in the right gear. Unnecessary change of gear or driving in the wrong gear would burn more fuel. Change up gears as early as possible when accelerating.
• Try to avoid idling – switch off the engine when you are going to be stationery for a while.
• Avoid driving with under inflated car tyres and keep your car well serviced.
• Avoid keeping heavy items in the car. Try to remove empty roof racks if you don not use it.
• At higher speeds, close your windows – opening the windows at higher speeds will increase the turbulences. More turbulence will burn more fuel.  
• Avoid using air conditioning system unless it is necessary.
• When ever possible travel during the off-peak hours and avoid bad weather.
• Stick to the speed limit – more speed will burn more fuel that leads to more pollution.
• Avoid buying bigger cars and more cars than you need.
• Take the shortest route but do not take the rough roads, however make safety your first priority.
• Consider car sharing while going to work or for your leisure.