Greener Driving

You can be more environmentally friendly with Mon Motors Group’s guide to greener driving. The way you drive your car is the key to saving you money and improving your fuel efficiency. With rising petrol prices it makes sense to drive more eco-friendly which helps reduce CO2 emissions and improves your fuel consumption. You will be able to get the most from your current or new car by simply following these greener driving tips:

Smooth Driving

The smoother your drive the less CO2 emissions you will produce and your fuel consumption will be improved. There are a number of tips to assist in making your drive smoother and more efficient:

  • Don’t over-rev the engine – try and keep your revs under 3000rpm for better fuel efficiency
  • Avoid braking suddenly – harsh breaking can use up to 30% more fuel
  • Allow the engine to slow the car instead of applying the brake
  • Avoid jerky movements
  • Don’t race between traffic lights or junctions

Plan your journey

We believe planning your route before you set off will help you stay calm and have a relaxed journey. Always give yourself plenty of time resulting in less stress and you won’t feel rushed to reach your destination.

If possible, try and avoid driving in rush hour and congested times – this way you will be able to drive at a constant, steady speed and you can avoid consistent stopping and starting. Short journeys can have a great impact on your fuel consumption, with an increase of nearly 20% in summer and 50% in winter. Try and avoid shorter journeys in your car and either car-share, walk or use public transport to help decrease the amount of CO2 emissions produced.

Choosing the right gear

Driving in the correct gear helps reduce your fuel consumption and makes your drive a lot smoother and more efficient. Changing to a higher gear at the right time results in better fuel efficiency (2500rpm for petrol cars and 2000rpm for diesel)

Switch your engine on and go

Cars today don’t need to be warmed up before driving off; you should drive away once you have switched your engine on for the best efficiency. Keeping an engine running on a car once switched on will:

  • Increase CO2 emissions
  • Waste fuel
  • Put unnecessary wear and tear on your engine

Switch your engine off

Keeping your vehicle idling while you are stuck in traffic will increase your fuel consumption and will be unnecessarily producing CO2 emissions. The simplest way to solve this is to turn your engine off if you won’t be moving for a while.

The stop-start technology in newer cars automatically turns the engine off when stopped and automatically restarts the engine without you having to turn the key.

Tyres

Under-inflated tyres can result in increased fuel costs as it makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle and gain speed. Tyre pressures for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual.

Keep to the speed

Speed limits are put in place to make the roads a safer place but by sticking to the correct speed and maintaining a steady speed could also save you money and reduce the emissions your car produces.

Cruise control is a great way of speed control and helps make your journey calmer and stress-free. Your speed depends on the amount of emissions produced and your fuel consumption.

  • Your emissions will be at their lowest when you are driving between 50-60 mph
  • Driving above 70 mph increases your emissions quickly and could cost you up to 25% more in fuel costs

Get rid of unnecessary weight

Carrying unnecessary weight such as roof racks or heavy objects in your boot will waste fuel, especially whilst accelerating. The increased weight and air resistance from roof racks will make the engine work harder and increase your fuel consumption. Lose some of the excess weight from your vehicle to help with your fuel efficiency.

Air Conditioning and Electrical Items

Air conditioning, heated seats, car chargers and other on-board electrical items will all increase your fuel consumption by nearly 10%; the effects are less noticeable at higher speeds. To help you have a greener drive, only use these on-board features when necessary.

Open windows and sunroofs on your vehicle can have a similar effect and will increase your fuel consumption.