Effective driving

Driving your car more effectively will save you money and reduce the amount of pollution your car generates.

Drive your car more efficiently

The way you drive you car makes a difference to how much fuel it uses. Try some of these greener driving tips:

• Reduce braking and accelerating as they use the most fuel. Drive smoothly and with enough distance from the car in front to reduce unnecessary stopping and starting.
• Run your engine between around 1,500 and 2,500 rpm (lower for diesel engines) to improve your fuel efficiency.
• Change gears sooner rather than later to keep revs below 2,500 rpm. If you drive an automatic, the car will shift up a gear more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator when the car gathers momentum.
• If you are in a traffic jam, turn the car off. Restarting uses less petrol than idling.
• Reduce the amount of extra weight in the car and the external items that will cause drag. Take off external sun visors and roof racks when you are not using them to help reduce drag.
• Use air conditioners only when needed. Air conditioners make you use a lot of extra fuel.
• Don't speed - not only is it dangerous it also burns fuel at a faster rate.

Keep your car serviced

Keeping your vehicle well maintained will help with fuel efficiency and minimise your environmental impacts.

Tyre pressure also affects your fuel efficiency. Keep your tyres inflated to the recommended pressure. Look up the correct pressure in your car maintenance manual or ask your local tyre supplier.

If you use air-conditioning, keep the unit serviced too. Leaks can release greenhouse gases. All air conditioning systems must be installed, maintained and decommissioned by a licensed technician.

More information

See the following resources for more information about effective driving:

• Green vehicle guide
• Fuel consumption label

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