How to Drive Greener

Whilst many people are looking to live a greener lifestyle, most still rely on cars for transport. This obviously causes a paradox of sorts. However, it is possible to reduce emissions just by taking a few simple steps when driving or changing the vehicle you drive.

Avoid Over Acceleration

When you're driving it is far more efficient to maintain a constant speed. This won't always be possible of course, but if you can avoid using too many revs when setting off you will be able to keep costs and emissions down. Steady acceleration and efficient gear changes are vital for greener driving.

Avoid Using Heating, Air Conditioning and Other Electrical Components Excessively

The more energy your vehicle uses, the higher your fuel consumption will become. Therefore you need to be economical with what you do and don't use. Of course you shouldn't sit in pools of sweat in the summer or shivering in the winter, but by only using air conditioning when it is most needed you can avoid unnecessary carbon emissions.

Driving with a window open is equally uneconomical, particularly at speed, therefore you should only do so when necessary.

Make Sure Tyres Have Tread and Are Inflated

If you are driving around on underinflated tyres your engine will have to work harder to gain propulsion. This will mean that you use more petrol and have a greater impact on the environment.

It's a very basic part of car maintenance anyway, but having properly maintained tyres that are inflated to the recommended levels can have an impact on the petrol you're using on a day to day level.

Remove Unnecessary Weight

If you've been carrying around heavy tools or your golf clubs in the back of your car then the likelihood is that you've been burning fuel. The greater the weight of your vehicle, the more energy it needs for propulsion.

Using the same principle that most racing cars use, you should strip out all unnecessary weight to get the best performance from your vehicle. This will promote greener driving and avoid unnecessary wastage.

Avoid Excessive Short Journeys

When your engine is cold it requires more petrol to get going. Therefore the first few miles of any journey tend to be the least economical. If you are continually doing short trips your ecological credentials will take a hammering. Sometimes they can't be avoided of course, but if you want to be a greener driver then you should look for alternatives for all non-critical journeys.

Drive an Environmentally Friendly Car

Smaller vehicles tend to be lighter and don't require the same power to match larger cars' mid-range performance. These are far better for the environment, particularly when driving at slower speeds or in heavy traffic. However this can be turned on its head when on the motorway, as the engine has to work harder and fuel efficiency is negatively impacted as a consequence.

Of course there are also hybrid vehicles that run off of a combination of battery and petrol power. These offer an unrivalled MPG (miles per gallon), which will allow you to be far greener at all times. Like smaller engine vehicles though, some of this benefit is negated when travelling at higher speeds, so they aren't strictly designed for motorway usage.

Summary

Essentially greener driving comes down to common sense. If you are accelerating at a rate of knots between each set of traffic lights, it goes without saying that you will be burning a lot more fuel in the process. By driving smoothly and maintaining a constant speed where possible, you can ensure that you aren't using excessive petrol. Basic car maintenance, such as checking oil levels and tyre pressure will also have a knock on effect on your emissions.

So if you're careful and considerate, you can become a greener driver and help to save some money in the process.

Vincent Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For eco-friendly home insurance and Greener Car Insurance he recommends ibuyeco.