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10 greener driving tips

Auto Express rounds-up 10 tips which could help you save money when it comes to filling up with fuel.

10 greener driving tips

09th March 2011

1 – Think aerodynamic
Remove roof racks, bike carriers or roof boxes when not in use ensuring your car slips through the air with the minimum of fuss.

2 – Keep it clean
Give your car’s interior a thorough clean out, removing unnecessary junk that adds weight and forces your engine to work harder.

3 – Check your tyres
As well as increasing the risk of a blow-out, under-inflated tyres  can increase fuel consumption by three percent.

4 - Use air conditioning sparingly
Air conditioning can cost you up to three miles per gallon, so only use it when necessary. Keep windows up too, as open windows cause extra drag.

5 – Keep revs down
Change gear earlier, at around 2,500rpm for a petrol-engine or 2,000rpm for a diesel, to avoid using unnecessary fuel.

6 – Switch off in traffic
At a standstill in a jam? Switch off your engine, allowing you to save fuel and cut pollutants you then have to breathe in.

7 – Alternative transport
Do you have to take the car? Public transport, cycling or even walking might be quicker and easier than taking the car at all. 

8 – Plan your route
Make sure you know where you’re going and avoid traffic and roadworks. Sat-navs can help, especially those with an eco driving option.

9 – Read the road
Anticipate what’s coming so you avoid accelerating and braking sharply, wasting momentum and fuel. If you have cruise control, use it.

10 – Avoid short journeys
A car’s engine uses more fuel and emits more pollutants when it’s warming up, so go green and walk or cycle instead.

Read more:

Overview - Auto Express's in-depth coverage of the the rising price of fuel, what it means for you and what you can do to cut your fuel bills.
Current state of affairs - We take a look at the average price of fuel across the UK and what motoring groups are saying.
Where are prices going next? - It seems like the only way is up, but just how high could petrol and diesel prices rise?
10 eco-driving tips - Our top 10 tips for how to make the most out of each litre of fuel you put in your car.
10 fuel efficient cars - Our sister site CarBuyer.co.uk names the 10 greenest cars on sale in the UK today.

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10 Comments

To be honest these tips do little to help. It is just outweighed everytime you reach to the pump with a new price increase.

By hotredman on 9 March, 2011, 8:23pm

"3 - Check your tyres" - WRONG ADVICE!!

You should NOT be advising people to under inflate their tyres. This increases the rolling resistance of the tyre and therefore increases fuel consumption?!

Not to mention serious effects to the handling of the car and increased wear to the tyre.

I think you should change the article to say it is important to maintain the correct tyre pressure.

http://www.tyre-pressures.com/DriveSafely

By Monkeyboy76 on 10 March, 2011, 9:48am

My bad - I read it wrong!!

Was still on my first coffee, great article dude =D

By Monkeyboy76 on 10 March, 2011, 10:16am

Monkeyboy76 - Please re-read, they are NOT recommending under inflation. Correct pressures obviously!!


By far and away one of the best techniques for saving fuel is to not brake! No, I'm not suggesting mass suicide, I'm mean plan your deceleration to bring you to a halt 'naturally'. Coming off the throttle and coasting with the car in gear uses near to no fuel at all and you can literally spend miles each day driving for free!

Another related technique best used on the motorway but applicable anywhere is to not drive too close to the car in front! Watch whats happening several cars ahead and back off the throttle before you have to use the brake.

Obviously niether of these fuel saving methods can be used by BMW or Audi drivers, at least none of the ones that follow me trying to read the small print dealership detail off my number plate!!!!

By simon4007 on 10 March, 2011, 10:40am

Monkeyboy76 - you did.... I had to read it a couple of time too! lol

By simon4007 on 10 March, 2011, 10:42am

Number 9 for definite

Simon4007

Excellent advice although, as a BMW driver, I very strongly resent your final point.

You didn't mention the smooth ride (and increased safety) that comes with leaving a reasonable gap and noting what is happening several cars ahead.

Let alone the sense of smug satisfaction seeing everyone else brake when you just glide smoothy on!!

By quintilian on 10 March, 2011, 12:42pm

Sorry quintilian, proof that there is an exception to every rule! lol

It was just one BMW driver that upset me earlier in the week.... he'd gone past me after several miles stuck to my bumper, zoomed along 500 mtrs up the road only to brake hard for the next car!! By the time we came in to town I had cruised up behind him again!! Just so distracting for me have someone so close... I don't mind people passing me, just pick your moment for God sake, there's no need to be up my chuff for mile after mile....!! Rant over!!

Smooth driving is key (wish I could just transfer that ability to my wife, everything is used like a switch)..... coach driving in my early 20's and racing in my 40's, it's equally important.

By simon4007 on 10 March, 2011, 1:27pm

Apology accepted, Simon4007 :)

Just yesterday I saw a BMW jump the lights (at high speed) then weave through the traffic with no regard for anyone else - it takes all sorts. I did smile when I turned off after a few miles that he was still only a few hundred yards ahead of me - heavy traffic has its benefits, sometimes!

Back on topic, I'm on the point of changing my BMW for something more economical. I think high fuel prices are here to stay and any future drops in price will be only temporary.

By quintilian on 10 March, 2011, 1:47pm

The reason, BWM, Audi's etc are still driving like idiots, is because most of them are fleet cars and the driver is not paying for the fuel, the only vehicles currently speeding are kids who dont know any better, white van men and reps, the general public who are paying for their own fuel are as a rule driving more conservatively.

By Shaun34 on 10 March, 2011, 5:55pm

They CANNOT stop me from enjoying my driving

As an owner of several cars including a Ferrari, and a bicycle, I get maximum fuel economy from my mundane motors, but it is simply impossible not to take the Ferrari to 8500rpm in 2nd gear.
If you invest that much money in a supercar, I am not going to always change gear at 2000rpm. No thank you, Sir.

By ayazmehar2 on 12 March, 2011, 3:46pm

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