• Home
• Driving Lessons
• Driving Courses
• Theory Test
• Driving Test
• Areas Covered
• Prices
• Book Driving Lessons
• ADI Instructor
• Useful Information
• Articles
• FAQ's
• Testimonials
• Contact Us

Eco-Safe Driving

The way you drive your car can have a direct effect on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions your car produces. There are some very simple steps you can take to reduce your CO2 emissions and reduce the amount of fuel you use for each and every journey you make in your car. It’s a win-win situation, you save money, minimise the wear on your car’s engine and reduce your impact on global warming.

Step 1: Regular Service

Have your car serviced regularly. Your manual will have recommended service intervals for your particular car. A regularly serviced car will function at its optimum efficiency, saving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.

Step 2: Remove Excess Weight

Any extra weight you carry around in your car adds to the engine’s workload, making it work harder and use more fuel. Go through the boot and remove any unnecessary items. If you have a roof rack or carrier, remove them when you are not using them. They add weight and drag resistance, adding to the engine’s workload.

Step 3: Check Your Tyre Pressure

Tyres that are under-inflated cause more resistance when driving, which means the engine has to work harder and use more fuel. Having the correct tyre pressure means you are driving with the optimum level of resistance efficiency making the best use of the engine’s fuel consumption. You should check your tyre pressures regularly and especially before starting long journeys. Make sure you check the correct tyre pressure with your car’s manual and do not over-inflate the tyres.

Step 4: Avoid Excessive Revving

Over revving an engine wastes fuel and increases stress and wear. It is a good idea to try to avoid excessive revving when you start your car and when you move away. Modern cars do not need the engine to be warmed up by revving. All over revving does is waste increase wear on the engine and wastes fuel.

Step 5: Use Your Gears

Use your gear changes to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. By changing gear at lower revs you can use less fuel.

Step 6: Drive Smoothly

Drive smoothly by using the accelerator smoothly and progressively. Look ahead and prepare for breaking and accelerating in good time. Ensure you have enough distance between your car and the car ahead to allow you to break and accelerate smoothly.

Step 7: Watch Your Speed

Make sure your speed is within the speed limit and appropriate to the driving conditions. Factors such as weather, traffic and road conditions can affect the appropriate speed you need to drive at. Remember, the faster you drive the more fuel your car uses.

Step 8: Switch Off Engine When Stopped

While you are stuck in traffic or waiting at traffic signals, your engine is using fuel. You can save fuel by switching your engine off whenever it is appropriate to do so.