Eco- Driving
With fuel prices going up weekly, in order to save money and the planet, we need to look more closely at our driving and what we do. By making some
changes to our driving style, such as looking further ahead, slowing down earlier for hazards and junctions, avoiding harsh acceleration where possible and
thinking about which gear we are using, some considerable savings to our wallet and the environment can be gained.
With fuel prices well over £1 per litre, and forever going up, changing the way you drive will save you money..On this course you will improve your
observation, anticipation and planning skills and your general finesse in car control.
The course syllabus contains:
A recent Driving Standards Agency (DSA) trial showed that an eco driver used 1.5 litres less fuel over a 100km (approximately 62 miles) journey. So
assuming the cost is £1.00 per litre this will make a saving of £1.50. For an average motorist whose annual mileage is 12,000 miles that is a saving of
£290.00 per year. So if you are a high mileage driver covering 50,000 miles that would be a saving of around £1,200.00. Multiply that by the number of cars in
your company or household then you can see the savings to be had.
Here are a few ways that you can become a Greener Driver:
Is the journey necessary?
Ask yourself if the journey is necessary and could you use an alternative form of transport. If you are going to the local shops a mile away then consider
walking. If you are going on a business trip consider car sharing with a work colleague. If you must take the car, rather than doing lots of short journeys try to
combine them for example by combining the school run with the trip to the shops.
Keep a safe following distance
By keeping a distance of at least two seconds from the vehicle in front, you are improving your view of the road ahead which will improve your road
awareness.
Avoid harsh braking
By looking further ahead you can spot potential hazards earlier and slow down sooner by using deceleration rather than driving up to the problem and then
braking harshly.
Use the accelerator smoothly
Avoid accelerating harshly instead use it smoothly and progressively. When up to speed you can ease your foot off the accelerator and allow the momentum
carry the vehicle.
There are going to be some occasions when you will need to ignore the advice about accelerating briskly, such as when joining or merging onto a fast
flowing road, when visibility is restricted or the slip road is short. Also you will need to ignore eco driving if overtaking especially on a single carriageway road
as safety would be severely compromised.
Use of gears
You do not always need to change up and down through your gears one at a time. In a petrol engined vehicle change up at 2500 rpm when safe and in a
diesel engined vehicle change up at 2000rpm. Try to drive in the highest gear possible for the road and traffic conditions whilst not causing the engine to
labour or the engine to rev unnecessarily.
Unnecessary weight and drag and use of air conditioning
Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the car. Remove roof racks, ladder racks or cycle racks as these items cause drag. At speed, close windows and
sunroofs as they affect the vehicle's aerodynamics. If you have air conditioning, use it sparingly as prolonged use uses more fuel.
Route planning
Consider getting a satellite navigation system and always carry a map. Before going on a long journey plan your route. Getting lost uses more fuel Starting
and moving off.
Winter
In the winter when windows are covered in ice use de-icer and a scraper rather than running the engine. Avoid over revving the engine when starting and
when moving off avoid harsh acceleration.
Servicing and vehicle checks
Your vehicle should be serviced and maintained at regular intervals in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
Tyre Pressures
Check your tyre pressures once a week when cold and use the correct pressures as stated in your owner's handbook. Incorrectly inflated tyres use more
fuel and cause unnecessary wear and tear on the tyres as well.
Parking
Park so that you can drive out of a parking space or drive entrance forwards, as manoeuvring especially with a cold engine uses far more fuel.
These are some ways that you can save money. Always remember though NEVER compromise safety for economy
With fuel prices going up weekly, in order to save money and the planet, we need to look more closely at our driving and what we do. By making some
changes to our driving style, such as looking further ahead, slowing down earlier for hazards and junctions, avoiding harsh acceleration where possible and
thinking about which gear we are using, some considerable savings to our wallet and the environment can be gained.
With fuel prices well over £1 per litre, and forever going up, changing the way you drive will save you money..On this course you will improve your
observation, anticipation and planning skills and your general finesse in car control.
The course syllabus contains:
- Fuel efficient driving and vehicle maintenance
- Improved hazard perception awareness, anticipation and planning skills
- Progressive use of accelerator
- Selective use of gears
- Smooth braking but using engine braking/torque where possible
- Compliance with speed limits
- Use of cruise control and when and when not to use it.
- Use of ancillary controls such as air conditioning, heater and electrical accessories
- Manoeuvring
A recent Driving Standards Agency (DSA) trial showed that an eco driver used 1.5 litres less fuel over a 100km (approximately 62 miles) journey. So
assuming the cost is £1.00 per litre this will make a saving of £1.50. For an average motorist whose annual mileage is 12,000 miles that is a saving of
£290.00 per year. So if you are a high mileage driver covering 50,000 miles that would be a saving of around £1,200.00. Multiply that by the number of cars in
your company or household then you can see the savings to be had.
Here are a few ways that you can become a Greener Driver:
Is the journey necessary?
Ask yourself if the journey is necessary and could you use an alternative form of transport. If you are going to the local shops a mile away then consider
walking. If you are going on a business trip consider car sharing with a work colleague. If you must take the car, rather than doing lots of short journeys try to
combine them for example by combining the school run with the trip to the shops.
Keep a safe following distance
By keeping a distance of at least two seconds from the vehicle in front, you are improving your view of the road ahead which will improve your road
awareness.
Avoid harsh braking
By looking further ahead you can spot potential hazards earlier and slow down sooner by using deceleration rather than driving up to the problem and then
braking harshly.
Use the accelerator smoothly
Avoid accelerating harshly instead use it smoothly and progressively. When up to speed you can ease your foot off the accelerator and allow the momentum
carry the vehicle.
There are going to be some occasions when you will need to ignore the advice about accelerating briskly, such as when joining or merging onto a fast
flowing road, when visibility is restricted or the slip road is short. Also you will need to ignore eco driving if overtaking especially on a single carriageway road
as safety would be severely compromised.
Use of gears
You do not always need to change up and down through your gears one at a time. In a petrol engined vehicle change up at 2500 rpm when safe and in a
diesel engined vehicle change up at 2000rpm. Try to drive in the highest gear possible for the road and traffic conditions whilst not causing the engine to
labour or the engine to rev unnecessarily.
Unnecessary weight and drag and use of air conditioning
Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the car. Remove roof racks, ladder racks or cycle racks as these items cause drag. At speed, close windows and
sunroofs as they affect the vehicle's aerodynamics. If you have air conditioning, use it sparingly as prolonged use uses more fuel.
Route planning
Consider getting a satellite navigation system and always carry a map. Before going on a long journey plan your route. Getting lost uses more fuel Starting
and moving off.
Winter
In the winter when windows are covered in ice use de-icer and a scraper rather than running the engine. Avoid over revving the engine when starting and
when moving off avoid harsh acceleration.
Servicing and vehicle checks
Your vehicle should be serviced and maintained at regular intervals in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
Tyre Pressures
Check your tyre pressures once a week when cold and use the correct pressures as stated in your owner's handbook. Incorrectly inflated tyres use more
fuel and cause unnecessary wear and tear on the tyres as well.
Parking
Park so that you can drive out of a parking space or drive entrance forwards, as manoeuvring especially with a cold engine uses far more fuel.
These are some ways that you can save money. Always remember though NEVER compromise safety for economy
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© Rob Sefton 2010
