subject: 5 Steps To Becoming A Green Driver [print this page] In a world where we are being told the polar ice caps are melting and the hole in the ozone layer is getting bigger because of CO2 emissions, we all feel the need to do our bit to save the environment.
Although some of us more than others feel the need greater, everyone has at least a basic feeling that they should save the environment for the future.
Whilst it is generally heavy industries that produce the most CO2 (an article in The Guardian from 19 June 2007 that shows China as the world's biggest CO2 polluter states the reason is largely down to their increased production of coal and cement), cars do have an added effect.
Fortunately, you can reduce the amount of emissions your car produces, helping you do your bit for the environment by becoming a green driver, something which is easy to do and can be done in 5 simple steps.
1. Turn off your engine - it's a common belief that turning your engine off and back on again uses more fuel than leaving it idling. Whilst this may have been true a decade or two ago, modern cars are created to use as little fuel as possible when being turned on, so if you're at a long traffic light or are waiting for someone outside their house, switch off your engine.
2. Don't accelerate on start up - especially in the winter, it can be tempting to press on the accelerator when you're starting up the car, as this is something which was thought to help older cars start.
As with point 1, this isn't needed in new cars and it simply wastes fuel.
3. Check your tyres - according to ECO Drive, tyres that are incorrectly inflated by 25 percent can reduce fuel consumption by approximately 2 percent.
Whilst you're unlikely to over or under inflate tyres by 25 percent (assuming you've read the owner's manual), it wouldn't be uncommon for the tyres to naturally deflate over time by 25 percent, which is the reason why it's important you check your tyre pressure on a monthly basis.
4. Change gears at the right time - Aside from the fact that harsh acceleration does nothing but lower your fuel consumption, changing gears over 2,500 RPMs has exactly the same effect and you should aim to change between 2,000 and 2,500 RPMs.
5. Look along the road - if you pay attention to the road and what's going on ahead, you'll be able to predict whether you're going to need to slow down any time soon, such as for a traffic light or roundabout.
Therefore, rather than waiting until the last minute to brake, if it's safe to do so, ease off the accelerator to lose your momentum and reduce your speed this way.
It can take some practice to judge when you need to take your foot off the accelerator at different speeds to slow down over various distances, but once you've mastered it, it is one of the best ways to become a greener driver.
by: Steve Carr
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
