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