Green driving
The impact that driving is having on the environment is becoming more apparent as more research is carried out.
There are several steps that you can take to decrease your effect on the world. As a bonus, adopting a more environmentally friendly driving style should reduce the amount of fuel you consume. The following are Tesco's tips for green driving.
Driving Speed
Exceeding 70mph can use up to 25% more fuel then driving at 50mph. Driving over 70mph will drastically increase the amount of greenhouse gases that your car produces. Speeding is not the only thing that will increase your fuel consumption - driving at less than 15mph also causes more pollution. A car becomes more fuel-efficient the closer it is to 60mph.
Traffic Jams
When you are stuck in a traffic jam for more than a couple of minutes it is better to turn the engine off. This will use less fuel and it will improve the air quality for the drivers around you. If the traffic is not moving, do not rev your engine impatiently.
Air-conditioning
Driving using air-conditioning uses considerably more fuel then driving without. Try to limit its use to when you really need it.
Avoid Harsh Acceleration & Breaking
Hard accelerating and breaking can use up more than 30% extra fuel. Not only is this inefficient but it will also lead to premature wear and tear on your vehicle.
Windows up
It is a good habit to drive with your windows up as this reduces the drag that your car creates moving through the air. Having your windows down increases the resistance of the car and leads to more fuel needing to be used to go the same speed.
Car batteries
When you are replacing an old car battery, give your old battery to your garage or battery supplier so that they can dispose of it in a environmentally friendly way.
