CENTRAL SELF DRIVE’S ECO DRIVING TIPS

When hiring or buying a vehicle, one of the many things we look at is fuel consumption. Did you know that whatever you drive there are things you can do save money, reduce – energy use, CO2 emissions and pollution?

MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE– Not only are you extending the life of your vehicle but you are also creating less pollution and saving on fuel. By getting your vehicle serviced regularly you maintain engine efficiency. Also make sure you use the right specification of engine oil.

INFLATE TIRES- By ensuring your vehicles tyres are at the correct pressure can cut fuel consumption.

GO DIESEL- Consider your car. The average motor vehicle in Britain emits 300g of carbon dioxide every mile travelled, though diesel-powered vehicles are about a third less polluting than petrol ones.

LOOSE WEIGHT – extra weight means extra fuel so if there’s anything in the boot you don’t need on the journey take it out. Roof-racks and boxes add wind resistance and so increase fuel consumption. If you don’t need it take it off, if you do pack carefully to reduce drag on the vehicle.

DRIVE SMOOTHLY – Accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking. When you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear. If you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better; stopping then starting again uses more fuel.

CHANGE GEAR – Don’t labour the engine but try changing up at an engine speed of around 2,000 rpm in a diesel car or around 2,500 rpm in a petrol car. This can make such a difference that all cars in the future are likely to be fitted with a ‘Gear Shift indicator’ light to show the most efficient gear change points.

USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL – By using cruise control on your vehicle you could get up to 15% better mileage meaning your not only helping the environment but cutting fuel costs (the lower the speed you set the more you save).

CUT YOUR SPEED – The faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and pollution. Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph.

THREE MINUTES IDLE – If you do get caught in a queue, avoid wasting fuel – turn the engine off if it looks like you could be waiting for more than three minutes.

TURN IT OFF – Electrical loads increase fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights, when you don’t need them. Air-conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects are less noticeable so on short trips around town use the window.

GO TO THE CAR WASH – Professional car washes are often more efficient with water consumption.

At Central Self Drive we have a range of vehicles which are environmentally friendly.

Depending upon the vehicle type, these typically include: