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