| There are many ways to conserve energy and | | | | Ireland. However a car that has been parked in |
| save money when driving. We are primarily | | | | the full glare of the sun for a few hours will be |
| concerned with getting a better fuel consumption | | | | rather uncomfortable unless you get some cooler |
| from each tankful of gas. By implementing a | | | | air flowing. |
| series of simple but very effective techniques we | | | | (7) Carrying piles of rubbish in either the cab or |
| gain several less obvious but equally important | | | | the boot of your car will increase your fuel |
| benefits. Longer life for our engine...and less | | | | consumption steadily over time so give your boot |
| emissions into the atmosphere, to name but two. | | | | a make over every so often and clear it out of all |
| (1) Let's start with my favourite subject...Tyres. | | | | but the essentials. |
| Under inflated Tyres enjoy a greater friction with | | | | (8) One more point about tyres. If you are |
| the road leading to greater gas usage for each | | | | carrying extra passengers and luggage, even for |
| kilometre travelled. As well as this they wear out | | | | a short journey you should increase the tyre |
| much more rapidly, give a rougher ride, particularly | | | | pressures. This will give a smoother, safer ride for |
| on Irish rural roads. Over inflated tyres also wear | | | | all concerned and avoid excessive tyre wear. This |
| out rapidly and unevenly leading to more frequent | | | | latter point is particularly relevant if you are |
| replacement. Good for the tyre shop but not for | | | | planning on rural driving since you will have to deal |
| you! Oh yes a soft tyre will pick up foreign bodies | | | | with an especially Irish phenomenon, that of |
| much more easily, leading to further replacement | | | | potholes. Sometimes these are as big as a garden |
| and expense. | | | | pond and will damage your underside easily, not to |
| (2) An untrained Right Foot is a leading cause of | | | | mention the ecological impact of disturbing the |
| excessive expenditure during all driving activity. | | | | resident fish, frogs and other amphibians. |
| Accelerating too hard, braking too hard, and | | | | (9) Since we seem to be constantly exposed |
| driving too fast in general all contribute to | | | | throughout the country to major road works, |
| excessive fuel usage and the corresponding | | | | which is an admirable activity from a safety |
| increase in noxious emissions. Of course heavy | | | | perspective, you should always switch off your |
| braking has another disadvantage ...that of making | | | | engine if there is going to be more than a minor |
| it so much easier for the Driver who is much too | | | | delay. Sitting for several minutes with the engine |
| close behind to rear-end you! | | | | running wastes a lot of fuel and puts more |
| (3) The speed for optimum fuel consumption has | | | | greenhouse gas into the atmosphere than need |
| been recognised over the years to be 55mph or | | | | be. |
| approximately 90kph. As you increase your speed | | | | (10) Here is a very useful technique in relation to |
| above this level your fuel consumption increases | | | | down shifting. It is not necessary to go through all |
| dramatically. The difference in journey times when | | | | the gears when preparing for a lower speed turn |
| you reduce your overall top speed by just a few | | | | or manoeuvre. It is quite acceptable to go from |
| kilometres an hour is minimal but the savings can | | | | fourth gear straight to second gear even from |
| be impressive. | | | | fifth to second prior to a turn. It takes a little |
| (4) A poorly tuned engine will also use an | | | | practise to get the timing absolutely right but is |
| excessive amount of fuel so the money spent on | | | | well worth the effort. You will not need to use |
| proper professional servicing will repay you in the | | | | the brakes so much providing you plan your gear |
| end although at the time it may seem expensive. | | | | change well, after allowing the car to slow by |
| (5) Learning to read and understand your Rev | | | | coming off the gas pedal. Remember every |
| Counter will enable you to spot an out of tune | | | | second that the right foot is pressing the gas |
| engine very easily and do something about it | | | | pedal is burning fuel. |
| without delay. A tick over engine speed of just | | | | In the U.K from next year (2007) Eco- friendly |
| 100 rpm more than it should be will increase your | | | | Driving Techniques will be assessed and monitored |
| fuel consumption on an ongoing basis. | | | | on the Driving Test. It is interesting that excellent, |
| (6) Open windows and sun roofs contribute to | | | | safe and economic driving Techniques which will |
| drag and an increase in fuel consumption but | | | | be taught by experienced Instructors to all their |
| clearly you can't drive safely if you are about to | | | | Pupils invariably end up being incorporated into |
| expire from heat exhaustion. Thankfully not | | | | Driving Test assessments eventually! |
| something we experience too often here in | | | | |