Top Ten Tips for Safer, Greener Driving
Issued by the Energy Saving Trust and Department for Transport
- Check your revs - change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).
- Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp accelleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
- Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
- Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
- Remove roof racks when not in use - they increase drag significantly.
- Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
- Stick to speed limits and make your fuel go further - driving at 85mph rather than 70mph uses 25% more fuel.
- Plan your journeys - to avoid congestion, roadworks and getting lost.
- Check your tyre pressure regularly - under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%
- If you're stuck in a jam, switch 0ff - cutting the engine will save fuel and stop emissions.