With fuel prices over £1 per litre, changing the way you drive will save money.

A recent Driving Standards Agency (DSA) trial showed that an eco driver used 1.5 litres less fuel over a 100km (approximately 62 miles) journey. So assuming the cost is £1.00 per litre this will make a saving of £1.50. For an average motorist whose annual mileage is 12,000 miles that is a saving of £290.00 per year. So if you are a high mileage driver covering 50,000 miles that would be a saving of around £1,200.00. Multiply that by the number of cars in your company or household then you can see the savings to be had.

Here are a few ways that you can become a Greener Driver

Is the journey necessary?

Ask yourself if the journey is necessary and could you use alternative transport. If going on a business trip consider car sharing with a work colleague.

Unnecessary weight and drag and use of air conditioning

Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the car. Remove roof racks, ladder racks or cycle racks as these items cause drag. At speed, close windows and sunroofs as they affect the vehicle's aerodynamics. If you have air conditioning, use it sparingly as prolonged use uses more fuel.

Route planning

Consider getting a satellite navigation system and always carry a map. Before going on a long journey plan your route. Getting lost uses more fuel Starting and moving off.#

Winter

In the winter when windows are covered in ice use de-icer and a scraper rather than running the engine. Avoid over revving the engine when starting and when moving off avoid harsh acceleration.

Keep a safe separation distance

By keeping a distance of at least two seconds from the vehicle in front, you are improving your view of the road ahead which will improve your road awareness.

Avoid harsh braking

By looking further ahead you can spot potential hazards earlier and slow down sooner by using deceleration rather than driving up to the problem and then braking harshly.

Use the accelerator smoothly

Avoid accelerating harshly instead use it smoothly and progressively. When up to speed you can ease your foot off the accelerator and allow the momentum carry the vehicle.

Use of gears

You do not always need to change up and down through your gears one at a time. Try to drive in the highest gear possible for the road and traffic conditions whilst not causing the engine to labour or the engine to rev unnecessarily.

Servicing and vehicle checks

Your vehicle should be serviced and maintained at regular intervals in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.

Tyre Pressures

Check your tyre pressures once a week when cold and use the correct pressures as stated in your owner's handbook. Incorrectly inflated tyres use more fuel and cause unnecessary wear and tear.

Parking

Park so that you can drive out of a parking space or drive entrance forwards, as manoeuvring with a cold engine uses far more fuel.

Never compromise safety for economy

There are going to be occasions when you will need to ignore the advice about accelerating briskly, such as when joining or merging onto a fast flowing road, when visibility is restricted or the slip road is short. Also you will need to ignore eco driving if overtaking especially on a single carriageway road as safety would be severely compromised.

Rob Sefton ADI