Rising temperatures across the planet are a concern for all of us. Thankfully, there is something each of us can do as individuals, and when I comes to diving it’s no different. By practising these eco friendly tips, you can help contribute towards lowering carbon emissions and saving the planet. Here’s how.
Plan your journey in advance
A study conducted last year found that domestic vehicle carbon emissions rose to 107.5 million tonnes in 2021. That’s in a pandemic year and just in the UK alone! One of the easiest ways to cut down your individual carbon emissions is to plan your journey. This involves setting off before rush hour, taking routes where you are less likely to be stuck in traffic and looking for the shortest route. You can take advantage of traffic alerts through Google and Apple Maps too so you can be redirected along the best route. Not only will this help save the environment but also save you money at the pump! Win Win. On the subject of saving money at the pump, we recommend you take advantage of the ‘Petrol Prices’ app on app stores which locates the cheapest fuel prices near to you.
Be conscious of your surroundings
Driving smoothly and gently avoids placing any undue stress on a vehicle’s parts. Accelerating harshly or braking sharply can wear down parts such as your engine and brake pads and will result in more fuel being used over the course of a journey. You can help to avoid this by being mindful of the road ahead so that you can anticipate when you need to slow down ahead, so you can do so gradually. Also be aware of when you need to change gears. If you have a gear indicator this will tell you when best to change up or down, however if you do not a good rule of thumb is to switch up when you hit 2,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) for optimum fuel efficiency. It’s important to note here that each vehicle is different though, so listen to your own engine and what it’s telling you.
Utilise ‘Autostop’ function
There is much debate over whether you should cut the engine when waiting at lights or in traffic and this does depend on the situation. Many modern vehicles automatically turn the engine off when stationary and in neutral. Conversely, cutting the engine can have a negative effect on your car's battery life so you need to use your judgement here. If you are at a stop for longer than a few minutes such as at a level crossing, it may be more prudent in terms of fuel consumption to cut the engine.
Keep your car aerodynamic
Now we’re sure you wouldn’t be travelling with a roof box or bike rack attached if they were not in use, but if you do this can consume more fuel. This is because the flow of air around the vehicle, known as aerodynamics, is dramatically reduced so effectively the vehicle takes more energy to travel through the air. Similarly, if you can avoid having anything unnecessary in your car, this can help lighten the load and thus your fuel consumption. Driving at speeds such as 80mph can also use up to as much as 25% more fuel than legal limits of 70mph. Some local authorities have already reduced speed limits to 50 mph on certain roads as part of their pledge to help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets by 2030. If you drive a newer diesel car, remember to keep your AdBlue topped up and to clean out your diesel particulate filter (DPF) as this will reduce your fuel consumption and prevent soot from being pumped out into the atmosphere. You’ll also want to keep the air in your tyres topped up as your engine will have to work harder to turn underinflated tyres. Checking the tread depth is always a good shout too.
Bad habits to avoid
There are a lot of ways to become a more eco-friendly driver, but changing some habits can be harder than others. So, to recap, we thought we’d go over the top habits to make the change on.
- Not planning your journey
- Not changing up through the gears
- Changing gears at too high revs
- Overloading your vehicle
- Keeping on attachments that makes your vehicle less aerodynamic
- Speeding
However there are also some other good habits you can get into the swing of. Carpooling where possible means that there are less cars on the road and can save you, colleagues, friends and family handsomely on petrol or diesel costs. Keeping your car serviced and in prime working condition can also significantly reduce your emissions, fuel costs and give you the peace of mind knowing that you are driving as safely as possible.
Have you ever wondered how much fuel you are consuming?
Modern vehicles have a fuel consumption and mpg area on the dashboard. If yours doesn’t, follow this tip. The next time you are filling up, fill your tank until it’s full and set your trip odometer to zero. Drive your usual routes for the most accurate measurement, and before filling up again take note of how much fuel you have used. Multiply this by 100 then divide by the number of miles/kilometres in your trip odometer.
Of course, when it comes to moving items when moving home etc., you can also lower the number of trips needed by hiring a van capable of bearing all your furniture and belongings in one load! If we can help you with a van for that very purpose or many others, in Skipton and the surrounding area, call us today on 01756 792911.
