| Often we have no choice but to drive, even | | | | pressure in your owner's manual. According to |
| though we know it causes greenhouse gas | | | | figures provided by the RAC under inflated tyres |
| emissions. Despite this there are certain simple | | | | increase resistance and can increase fuel |
| steps you can take to reduce your impact on | | | | consumption by up to 2%. |
| climate change. Below you'll find 10 top tips for | | | | 6. Sharing car journeys reduces the number of |
| reducing your emissions while driving. | | | | cars on the road but nearly 40% of car journeys |
| 1. Turn the engine off when you are stuck in | | | | only have one occupant in the car. Check out |
| traffic for long periods. If you're stuck in traffic | | | | Liftshare.org to find travel companies and share |
| for more than a minute or so it's better to turn | | | | travel costs. |
| your engine off in order to reduce your carbon | | | | 7. Avoid carrying unnecessary heavy items, such |
| emissions. | | | | as tool kits or golf clubs. The more weight you're |
| 2. Rather than leaving your engine running when | | | | carrying in the car, the more fuel is used per mile |
| waiting to pick up or drop off passengers turn | | | | and the greater the carbon emissions per journey. |
| your engine off instead. | | | | 8. If you are not using them remove roof racks |
| 3. Reducing your speed can radically reduce the | | | | and/or bull bars. Not only do they add to the |
| amount of green house gases you produce. | | | | weight of the car but these items also increase |
| Traveling at 56 mph rather than 70 mph reduces | | | | air resistance, adding up to 5% to your fuel |
| your fuel use by around 10% and if you dropped | | | | consumption. |
| your speed from 70mph to 50mph you would | | | | 9. If you have air conditioning fitted try and |
| reduce the carbon emitted by your car by a | | | | minimise its use. At slower speeds open your car |
| whopping 25%. | | | | windows and ventilate the car naturally instead. Be |
| 4. If you drive more smoothly, instead of | | | | aware that at higher speeds open windows can |
| accelerating and braking all the time, you can | | | | create significant drag, so it is better to use the |
| significantly reduce your carbon emissions. It has | | | | car's conventional air ventilation system or air con |
| been estimated that those who drive smoothly | | | | if really necessary. Air conditioning can add around |
| and intelligently can save a staggering 30% of fuel | | | | 10% to your fuel consumption. |
| consumption compared with those with a heavy | | | | 10. Regularly servicing, in accordance with the |
| right foot. By keeping your distance from the car | | | | manufactures mileage recommendations, ensures |
| in front and monitoring the traffic ahead you can | | | | that you car runs as efficiently as possible, thus |
| slow down efficiently and avoid constant use of | | | | maximising its performance and fuel efficiency and |
| the break. | | | | minimising emissions. A regular service will save |
| 5. Ensure that your tyres are inflated to the | | | | you money in the long run, as the car should last |
| correct pressure, you can find the required | | | | longer as well as running far more economically. |