10 tips on how to be a greener driver
Being ecologically responsible when you’re on the road means more than driving an electric or hybrid car. You also need to have a green driving style. And even if you drive a conventional car, through a few simple measures you can reduce the costs, the fuel consumption and adopt an environment-friendly style.
ALD Automotive has prepared for you and for your drivers a summary of the best tips and tricks for a sustainable driving behavior:
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Reduce speed in due time when you need to slow down or stop. Don’t go straight to the brake but release the accelerator in good time. In this way, you will reduce the fuel consumption, you will have a lower wear level of tires, brake pads and the vehicle, in general.
- Drive consistently and keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you. The fuel consumption increases above a speed of 100 km/h. By avoiding sudden acceleration and intense braking and maintaining a constant speed you will lower the CO2 emissions and you will protect the environment. If your car has a cruise control, then activate it and the driving style will be more consistent and therefore more environmental friendly.
- Avoid short trips. The engine does not reach its optimum operating temperature until after a few kilometers. Until the engine has warmed up, your fuel consumption will be much higher than normal.
- Avoid traffic jams because they require a lot of vehicle movement from idle, acceleration, braking and idle engine operation. Whenever is possible, try to plan your trips when it’s not very crowded.
- Use the right gear. If you have a manual gear box, shift to a higher gear at an appropriate time, not to burden the engine and waste fuel unnecessarily and thus pollute the environment. For economical driving, the speeds change to about 2000 rpm for diesel engines, or about 2500-3000 rpm for petrol engines
- Stop idling - Idling is when a driver leaves the engine running and the vehicle parked. You may not be able to avoid keeping your engine running when you're stopped at a traffic signal or stuck in slow-moving traffic. But other times, idling might be unnecessary.
- Ensure the proper technical maintenance of the vehicle. The results will be: lower CO2 emissions, no oil leaks, a reduced fuel consumption and, therefore, a lower pollution level.
- Check the tire pressure. Tire pressure is regulated by the manufacturer, so check the pressure regularly, and if your car is full, you can increase it slightly. The low tire pressure causes harm to your vehicle: unnecessary wear of tires increases, it affects vehicle features and fuel consumption increases.
- Avoid transporting unnecessary objects with the vehicle. If you don’t need your roof box, bike or baggage rack, take them off and cut down your air resistance, each kg less means a reduced fuel consumption.
- Think if you really need air conditioning systems or heated seats. Comfort while driving is important, nevertheless, you should consider using them when it’s necessary to have a lower fuel consumption.