On-line Fleet Risk Assessments for the UK & Worldwide Road Safety - Everyone's Business

Top Ten Driving Tips

Top Ten ECO Driving Tips
     
1.

Keep your vehicle well serviced & check oil levels regularly:

Correctly maintained vehicles operate more efficiently & emit less CO2

This will also help maintain a higher residule value.

 

 
2.

Check tyre pressure every week

Underinflated tyres will increase fuel consumption by up to 4%

They are also more prone to blowout due to increased heating. 

 

 
3.

Remove unecessary weight from vehicle

The heavier the car the more fuel the engine needs to work & this uses more fuel.

Consider the amount of fuel that you need to maintain in your tank.

The more fuel you maintain in your tank the more you will use to do so.

 

 
4.

Keep windows closed at higher speeds.

This reduces wind resistance & will lower fuel consumption & Co2 emissions.

As a rule at speeds below 40 mph open windows will provide adequate cooling.

Above 40 mph wind resistance will counter he fuel savings, therefore above 40 mph use Air Con.

 

 
5.

Use air-conditioning only when necessary

As a rule at speeds below 40 mphUnnecessary use will increase fuel consumption by up to  10%

As a rule at speeds below 40 mph open windows will provide adequate cooling

Above 40 mpg wind resistance will counter the fuel savings, therefore above 40 mph use Air Con.

 

 
6.

Commence driving soon after starting the engine & turn off the engine if you are going to be stationary for a period of time

Some modern vehicles have start & go. Where the engine will stop when in neutral & stationary, allowing ancillary equipment to keep running

Globally recomendations vary on the time at which a stationary vehicle may turned off. Times vary from 15 seconds to 2 minutes.

Engines are not designed to work efficiently while idling, with an optimum point of 10 seconds.

As a general rule 30 seconds is a resonable period.

 

 
7.

Drive at reasonable speeds & above all, drive smoothly

Every time you accelerate or brake heavily, your engine uses more fuel & emits more CO2 to maintain progress.

Keep within the speed limits.

Aim to drive with gradual changes of speeds rather than excessive sudden variations of speed

Driving at 70 mph as opposed to 85 mph ona motorway uses approximatley 25% less fuel

 

 
8.

When accelerating, change up gears as early as possible

Higher gears are more economical in terms of fuel consumption & reduced emissions, however avoid changing to soon leading to poor engine performance.

Aim to change gear at between 2,000 to 2,500 rpm

 

 
9.

Try to anticipate traffic flo

Look at the traffic situation as far ahead as possible in order to avoid unessary stops & starts within the flow of traffic.

Try to keep the car moving whenever possible

 

 
10.

Consider car sharing on both work & social level

This will help reduce personal fuel consumption & contribute to reduced congestion & emissions.