eco-driving!

If you are a car driver, would you like to do your bit for both the environment and your wallet, the Energy Savings Trust gives the following guidelines for being a 'better' driver.

'Smarter driving or eco-driving could save you up to £220 a year in petrol or diesel. And with fuel prices rising all the time, smarter driving could save you even more in the future.

Adopting a smarter driving style is easy. And once you've mastered it, not only will you start to make real savings, but you'll also be doing your bit for the environment.

That's because smarter driving means driving your car more efficiently. Doing this means your car will produce less carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas contributing to climate change.

Remember to follow the steps below and you'll soon be saving money and reducing your car's impact on the environment.

• Check your revs - change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).
• Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
• Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
• The most efficient speed depends upon the car in question but is typically around 45 - 50mph. Faster speed will greatly increase your fuel consumption.
• Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
• Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.
• Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
• Plan your journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.
• Check your tyre pressure regularly - under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
• If you're stuck in a jam, switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.

Take the eco-driving test for yourself by visiting the Energy Saving Trust's web pages

Jane Eyles