Economical Driving

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Have you noticed that as the recession hits, people seem to be driving more sensibly? I have. You know what, driving sensibly is good for the environment as well as your pocket! The less fuel you are using on a trip, the less CO2 is being pumped out into the atmosphere.

So, how do you drive economically?

Well it's a three step process. It's not as easy as simply finding the garage with the chepest fuel. It also involves your car and most importantly the way you drive.

1. Your car;

Check your tyre pressure. Lower tyre pressure increases the drag on a car meaning you need more fuel.
Declutter your car. The lighter your car is, the less effort it needs to make to accelerate.
Take your roof rack off. As above!
Turn off your air conditioning. Air conditioning also uses an incredible amount of fuel, so make sure it's turned off unless you really need it. However, if it's really hot, it can become a more effective proposition, as driving with the windows closed is more economical than having them all open, due to the extra drag it causes
When refuelling - don't fill up the tank! Fuel is heavy, so by filling the car up you're adding quite a weight. 1/2 or 3/4 of a tank is ample, and your car will run more efficiently too.

2. Your driving;

Accelerate gradually and without over-revving. Speed up smoothly; when you press harder on the pedal more fuel flows, but you could get to the same speed using much less power – a good rule is to stay under 3,000 revs.Try to drive at a constant speed acceleration as much as possible
Drive in the correct gear. The highest possible without labouring the engine. There is a reason why your car rattles when you try doing 20mph in 5th gear you know!
If you aren't in a hurry - SLOW DOWN! For most cars, driving at about 50mph is the most economical speed to drive. If you try driving slower and feel like a 'sunday driver' take a look around! I was on the motorway the other day, doing about 60-65mph, and very few cars were overtaking me.
Slow naturally. Rather than hammering on the brakes all the time prepare yourself to stop the car by changing down the gears as you slow. When you do have to use the brake do it gradually, brake-release-brake-release. It's better for your brakes too - you won't need to change them so often!

3. Your fuel;