Give Driving the Green Light

Despite being the main mode of transport for many people, cars are often cited by environmentalists as a primary contributor to climate change; with around 30 million cars on the road in the UK, they may have a point. However, while the price of fuel also spirals ever upwards, there’s no need to ditch our four-wheeled friends altogether in order to have a positive impact on the environment and our wallets, as simply tweaking the way we drive can reap huge benefits for both.

Although the greenest and least expensive option is to leave the car in the drive, this isn’t always possible. However, around a quarter of all car journeys undertaken are less than two miles long so it’s worth considering whether or not you really need to make the journey by car, or if there are other cleaner — and cheaper — options. It’s also worth bearing in mind that cold engines use more fuel, and your catalytic converter will be less efficient until it reaches full temperature — both unlikely to be achieved in such a short distance!

Before turning on the engine, check to make sure that there are no in-car power accessories switched on, such as interior lights, air conditioning or headlamps. In doing so, you’ll decrease the engine load and starting up will be a little less laboured, especially on cold mornings.

If you do need to use the car, try to avoid letting the car sit ‘idling’ for too long. An idling engine — where the engine turns but the car is stationary — still burns fuel, and can cause premature engine wear so if you’re going to be stopped for any more than around one minute it might be worth switching off the engine altogether — unless of course, you’re in traffic or have ‘Auto Start/Stop fitted’. After all, you don’t want your engine to be off when the traffic signals turn to ‘go.’ It’s also worth planning your route in advance to avoid traffic congestion, road works and getting lost!

Car aerodynamics can have a bearing on fuel consumption so remove any roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes if not in use. These items create drag, meaning the engine has to work harder to maintain speed, while leaving them on your car while empty affects the load weight of the car.

When driving, drive according to the speed limit as fuel economy tends to decrease rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Also try to anticipate the road ahead and drive accordingly, avoiding sharp acceleration and harsh braking as both actions wastes fuel unnecessarily. Not only will driving according to the current road conditions save more fuel, it will also help reduce accident rates, which is good news indeed when it comes to car insurance quotes in the future.

In addition to tweaking driving habits, the condition of your vehicle can also have a profound effect on fuel consumption. Check your tyre pressure regularly. Under-inflated tyres are not only dangerous but can affect the amount of fuel used, so it’s important to keep them at the correct pressure to lessen fuel consumption and the rate of wear. Ideally, check your tyres at least every two weeks and replace any that are excessively worn.

Have your car serviced regularly; a dirty air filter can lead to an incorrect fuel/air mix which can increase fuel consumption, while dirty or malfunctioning spark plugs can affect the efficiency of fuel burning and lead to engine damage if not maintained. Where possible use approved manufacturer engine oils which have been certified for use with your car and will help with the optimum performance of your engine.

If you’re considering changing your car in the future, look for a car that best fits your needs. Cars with smaller engines typically use less fuel and produce fewer emissions than larger engines, so not only should they save you some money at the pumps, they could also have a positive effect on any car insurance quotes you receive.

You don’t have to give up the car altogether to be ‘greener’; adopting a few simple changes to your driving routine should see you on the road to saving money and the environment.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.