Seven ways to stay green
You don’t have to buy an eco car to cut costs – and save the planet. These top products can make all the difference
Motorists looking to do their bit for the environment – and save money, too – can now pick from a range of eco-branded models.
But you don’t have to buy a new vehicle to cut your carbon footprint, as there’s a wealth of great products on offer.
They’re all easy to find, and will give your car a green makeover for a fraction of the cost. Here are our top ‘super seven’ buys.
* 1) Clean your car more efficiently
Eco warriors hate to see water wasted – and if you wash your car regularly, thousands of litres end up going down the drain every year.
There are alternatives, though, such as OneDryWash. This no-rinse formula is simply sprayed on to the bodywork, spread around and then wiped off with a clean cloth – not a drop of water is required!
If that’s a step too far, DoDo Juice’s SuperNatural Shampoo (£12.95 for 250ml) is biodegradable, and can be diluted in a ratio of 1:1,500, so it promises to minimise your impact on the environment.
* 2) Install long-life headlight bulbs
Your choice of headlamps can affect your car’s fuel economy – fit a set of the latest long-life bulbs, which don’t use as much power, and in turn up your mpg.
Try Philips EcoVision; a set costs £15.99, and claims to last twice as long as regular bulbs.
* 3) Use a green interior cleaner
It’s not only exterior cleaning products that can affect the environment; those designed to care for your cabin can also be harmful.
So consider one of CarPlan’s EcoCar offerings. The ingredients are derived from plant and vegetable extracts, and chosen from renewable and sustainable sources. Plus, the packaging is recyclable. There’s an odour eliminator, plus dash and glass cleaners, with prices starting from £3.99.
* 4) Burn all the fuel in tank to boost mpg
When was the last time you had your spark plugs replaced? Experts at Bosch claim poor-quality plugs don’t always combust fuel in the chamber – and that increases your car’s consumption.
It recommends installing upgraded products, such as its Super range, to squeeze as much mpg out of a tank of petrol as possible.
These plugs also claim to be more durable than standard parts. They are said to last for more than 60,000 miles – a set of standard spark plugs will give only around 18,000 miles.
The same principle applies to drivers of diesels – they should keep a close eye on their cars’ glow plugs, to ensure that all the fuel in the chamber is combusted.
* 5) Chip your car for better economy
Most people associate engine modifications with increasing performance. But an upgrade – or chip – can also help to lower your emissions and improve fuel economy.
There is a raft of engineering specialists which will carry out the work.
Star*Chip focuses on petrol engines, and its upgrades start at £299, while diesel chips from Tunit cost from £415. Either way, you’ll notice the benefits instantly.
Tunit modifications claim to give “more power, better economy and up to 27 per cent lower CO2 emissions”.
While you’re under the bonnet, check out the battery. Varta Automotive says its cells can be recycled without harming the planet.
* 6) Cut unnecessary miles with sat-nav
The latest sat-navs plot the most efficient route – avoiding hills and traffic lights. Check out Garmin’s EcoRoute, plus the similar feature on the TomTom 950.
Vexia’s EcoNav system goes even further. It offers a gearshift indicator – similar to that on eco models – to tell you when to change up to get maximum efficiency. It claims to increase mpg by a third.
* 7) Roll with it to boost efficiency
Low-resistance tyres are another key feature of green cars. The less the rubber drags, the less power – and fuel – is needed to turn it.
You can fit these tyres to regular models. Michelin always performs well in our tyre tests, and Goodyear’s EfficientGrip blends low drag with superb handling on wet roads.
