Leaner, greener, cleaner

Driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive is offering weekly motoring tips to drivers from its head of training, Simon Elstow. This week, he is advising on saving fuel and money. Green driving will save you up to 15% on your fuel bills:

Keep your vehicle moving for as long as possible, even in traffic queues. This is far more fuel efficient than stopping and starting, so slow down earlier, to avoid braking harshly and often.

Your cruising speed has a major impact on fuel economy so stick to the speed limit. This offers a good compromise between economy and getting somewhere. There’s a significant saving made by doing 70 instead of 80 – and you avoid any risk of speeding fines.

Reverse into parking bays. If you do all the manoeuvring with a hot engine you can drive straight off when you come back and warm the engine up more quickly.

Check your vehicle regularly to ensure it operates efficiently. In particular check the condition of your tyres, and measure tyre pressures when they’re cold.

Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and heavy items in the boot. The more weight you carry in the car, the more fuel you’ll burn.

Keep the inside of the front and rear windscreens squeaky clean. Traffic fumes form a film on the glass which attracts moisture and makes them mist up easily - a clean screen will rarely mist up, so you won’t be using the heater and air-conditioning.
 
Elstow said: “We’ve all got better things to spend our money on than petrol. This will help you save cash and reduce your carbon emissions.”