(Image Source: Flickr)
One of the major, ongoing costs of driving a car is the cost of fuel. Whether you have a petrol or diesel engine car fumes can cause the most damage when a car is stationary but the engine is still running. If you are concerned about damage to the environment and to people’s health, as well as the cost of driving your car, there are ways to cut both your costs and the cost to the environment.
Stuck in Traffic
Caught in a jam? A traffic one, that is? The best thing to do if your vehicle is stationary for more than a minute is to turn the engine off. You could be held up in traffic for some considerable time, and all the while that your engine is running it is costing you money, and it is spreading a damaging amount of emissions. While some vehicles automatically switch off when the car is in neutral, not all of them do; if you are stuck for a while, turn off the engine and lower any damage to the environment as well as your fuel costs.
Driving at a Reasonable Speed
High speed driving may sometimes be fun, but it can also be dangerous and can add considerably more to your fuel costs. Drive at a reasonable and fairly consistent speed and it will help to lower your fuel costs, as well as your chances of being involved in an accident.
Check Your Tyre Pressure
You should check your tyre pressure on a regular basis, and especially before you undertake a long journey. If your tyres have insufficient pressure this will not only increase your fuel costs, it can also be dangerous, so check your tyre pressure regularly, using a pressure gauge you know to be reliable.
Braking and Acceleration
If you tend to brake and accelerate a lot when you are driving, this will increase your fuel consumption, as well as your risk of being involved in an accident. Try to drive smoothly and at a reasonable speed to avoid wasting fuel, and reduce the odds of getting involved in a road accident.
Air Conditioning
Don’t use your air conditioning if you are travelling at under sixty miles an hour; if the weather is dry than drive with the windows open to save on fuel. If you’re driving on the motorway at sixty miles an hour or more, then using the air conditioning is more fuel-efficient.
Roof Racks
If you have a roof rack on your car, but it’s not actually carrying anything, then remove the rack. If the luggage rack is left on when not in use, it can make the vehicle drag, and up your fuel consumption. Don’t carry any extra weight in your car than you actually need, as increased weight will also add to your fuel costs.
When you cut the amount of fuel that you are using you will save money, and you will lessen harmful emissions in the process, if you follow the simple guidelines laid out here.
