Driving Tips
Cars are generally very energy inefficient and travelling by train, bus or bike is much better for the planet. If you can’t manage without a car, changing your driving habits can help reduce its greenhouse emissions. Find out how much your car produces with our car calculator.
Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
Plan your journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.
Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
Check your revs - change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).
The most efficient speed depends upon the car in question but is typically around 55 - 65mph. Faster speed will greatly increase your fuel consumption.
Check your tyre pressures 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.
Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective. Cycle or walk instead.
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.
Get your car serviced regularly to keep it running efficiently.