Eco-Safe driving has been incorporated into the practical driving test although as yet it is not part of your grading.

Eco-Safe driving is a way of driving that is kind to the environment, your pocket and safety by reducing fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and accident rates.

Eco-Safe Driving is about driving in a style suited to modern engine technology ~ smart, smooth and safe driving techniques that lead to average fuel savings of 5-10%

Here at Xpert Driver Training we incorporate Eco-Safe driving into your normal driving lessons and teach it as a basic driving skill.

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TOPIC	REASONING
HAZARD AWARENESS / PLANNING	ANTICIPATION & FORWARD PLANNING
ENGINE BRAKING	Watch traffic ahead to anticipate when to slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change gear and be on your way.
	This saves fuel and reduces accident rates. Less stopping and starting means less CO2
ENGINE POWER / TORQUE	LOSE AGGRESSION
	Time studies show that fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and accelerating to and from a stop sign or traffic light doesn't save much time.
	Losing aggression saves fuel and lessons the wear on car components such as brakes and tyres faster and decreases accident rates.
COMPLIANCE WITH SPEED LIMITS	SPEED LIMITS
	Drive at posted speed limits.
	Where feasible drive at your vehicle's optimum speed.
	On the motorway use cruise control whenever possible
	There is a 10-15 % improvement in fuel economy by driving 55 instead of 65 mph. Lesser speed will greatly decrease your fuel consumption - 85mph requires 25% more fuel than 70mph.This is a tip that may save a life as well as fuel.
STARTING AND MOVING AWAY	NO IDLING OR REVVING
	Do not rev the engine on starting up. Don't idle for more than 30 seconds - Today's engines don't need to be warmed up.
	Reducing Excessive idling and 'revving' reduces engine wear, saves fuel and reduces excess CO2 emissions.
USE OF ACCELERATOR	ADJUST SPEED SMOOTHLY
	Anticipate road conditions to maintain a smooth drive, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking.
	This saves fuel and reduces accident rates. Less stopping and starting means less CO2
	USE CRUISE CONTROL (when fitted)
GEAR SELECTION	OPTIMUM RPM
	Aim to change gear as early as possible at a modest engine speed - 2500rpm for petrol and 2000rpm for diesel engines. Use the highest gear possible and drive with low engine RPM.
	Over revving increases emissions.
	Using optimum RPM can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%.
PLAN JOURNEYS	This will reduce unnecessary mileage due to getting lost, stuck in traffic or road works
COMBINE JOURNEYS	Combine necessary short car journeys into one longer journey. 40% of UK trips are less than 3 miles
	A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE	TYRES
	Keep tyres properly inflated to the recommended pressure - this can vary with different load weights.
	Over-inflated tyres are dangerous.
	Under-inflated tyres are dangerous, increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy and wear more rapidly.
	This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3-4% percent.
	WHEELS
	Keep the wheels aligned.
	Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel
	ENGINE
	A properly tuned-up engine will run more efficiently.
	AIR FILTERS
	Replace as needed - consult the owner's manual for the recommended schedule
	OIL
	Use good quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owners manual
AERODYNAMICS	ROOF RACKS
	Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics so remember to remove them when not in use.
	They reduce aerodynamics and can reduce fuel economy by up to 5%. At 75mph a roof rack will increase fuel consumption by 20%
	OPEN WINDOWS
	Decreases vehicle aerodynamics and lowers fuel economy
	TRAVEL LIGHT
	The more a vehicle carries, the more fuel it uses so don't carry more cargo than you need to and clear out your boot.
	An extra 50 kg of weight can increase your petrol bill by around 2%.
	AIR CONDITIONING
	BE SPARING
	Switch off or turn down air conditioning and heating.
	Significantly reduces fuel consumption. At full power A/C increasing fuel consumption by 25%
	STATIONERY TRAFFIC
	SWITCH OFF
	Once the engine is warm, turn it off if you are going to stop for longer than 3 minutes, e.g. in a traffic jam or road works.
	Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last Updated on Saturday, 25 June 2011 13:53