How to Make Your Car More Economical
If, like many, you’re becoming more aware of your actions, and you’re worried about the effect that your car and your driving has on the environment, then you’re in the right place.
At the time of writing, the UK’s traffic contributes 20% of the UK’s greenhouse gases. So you’d be right to want to do your bit to reduce that. Here, we’ll talk about ways that you can make your car run well and use less fuel.
Regular Services
Maintaining the engine will make sure that it is always the most efficient it can be. If you leave it, then things will start to deteriorate and not work as well as they should. It will then start affecting your wallet as well as the environment, which no one wants.
Declutter
Unnecessary weight means more fuel used to pull it along. Decluttering on a regular basis will ensure that you’re not carrying anything around that you don’t have to. Typically, for every 50kg that you carry, you’ll lose 1 or 2% efficiency.
Tyre Maintenance
Check your tyres regularly to ensure the correct PSI. Under-inflated and over-inflated tyres are both bad for your vehicle’s efficiency. Under-inflated tyres increase your fuel consumption and increase wear on inside and outside edges. Over-inflated tyres have less contact with the road, which increases braking distances. They will also wear unevenly.
Efficiency goes down by as much as 1% for every PSI below the recommended pressure range.
Planning Journeys
Planning a journey will make sure that you take the shortest route to your destination (and you won’t get lost). Check for traffic jams or diversions before you set off.
Driving Greener
- Rev Less
Excessive revving is not good for your car. Revving takes its toll on your engine and uses up fuel, so it’s a good idea to cut back on it. Instead, gradually accelerate and brake well in advance.
- Drive Slower
Slowing down will not only decrease fuel consumption, but it increases fuel efficiency. Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph, and 80mph can use up to 25% more than 70mph.
Of course, driving slower is also safer.
- Using Equipment
Modern cars come with all sorts of tech, such as air conditioning and heated seats. However, they do use up fuel. Try and go without if you can, unless it’s necessary.
The only difference is when you’re travelling on the motorway. Air con increases wind resistance and fuel consumption, making it more efficient than opening the windows.
Car-Share
One of the best ways to make your car economical is to car-share. When you travel to work, you're probably driving alone. Imagine all the people who are doing the same thing. You can reduce the number of cars on the road, and the number of cars in your work’s car park with a car-share. Set up a scheme at your work, or use one of the many websites that will match you with people needing a lift. This way you can not only commute in an eco-friendlier way, but you can also save some money on fuel.
Greener Cars
The ultimate way to make your car and driving economical is to buy a greener car. This could be simply opting for a car that has lower emissions, but it could mean going for a completely different type of car.
Some cars run on electricity instead of petrol or diesel, such as the Nissan Leaf, which has a 100% electric engine and therefore zero emissions. This means that buying fuel and paying tax according to emissions is a thing of the past, and it’s also better for the environment.
Whether you’re in the market for a new car or not, there are a number of ways that you can use your car in a more efficient, eco-friendly way.