National Energy Saving Week & Your Car

Car Energy Saving
The environment is always a hot topic. As motorists, I do think that we are targeted more than your average commuter with rising costs. From fuel costs, new emission regulations & the encouragement for us to go greener with the emerging full electric and hybrid cars it can be a little daunting.

You’re not on your own if you think that a fully electric car is out of the question. It’s hardly cost-effective from the off. With charging ports and low fuel ranges it is not always as easy as being good to the environment.

According to www.autoexpress.co.uk a “poll of 17,628 motorists finds 47% want to make the switch to electric driving; lack of charging points, electric car prices and range anxiety put off many.

So, how can we help the environment, save money and feel better about our petrol & diesel cars?
Below are my top 5 tips to help you save energy, money and the environment.

1. Don’t Drive With a Lead Foot! Ok, so it’s tempting to put your foot down, getting away from the lights, overtaking that learner driver etc. However, your engine and transmission (gearbox) can only convert so much of the fuel it uses into power. So rather than using the fuel, you might actually just be wasting it. Smoother driving is the best way to make sure your car is being as fuel-efficient as possible. That along with a regularly serviced car can soon add up those figures and give you more miles to a tank of fuel.
   Did you know, Driving 65mph vs 75mph can actually save you about 13% of fuel? Add that figure up over a month or a year and it will soon add up – How much could you save?

2. Stop Idling & Warming Up Your Car. In the past, it was recommended that you ‘warm up your car’ but more modern cars really don’t require you to do this. In the winter, it can be all too tempting to start your car and warm it up but a scraper for the ice will save you far more in fuel and ultimately precious pennies. Invest in a good Ice scraper and start saving your hard-earned cash!

   Remember – Don’t clear your frosty screen with your wipers, it can damage them, cause them to split and require replacement more frequently.

3. Reduce Weight – Ok, It’s January so we are all on a diet, but I don’t mean you! Get rid of that gym bag, take out the rubbish and clean your boot of all that junk! Do you have a roof box that you only use when you go on family holidays? if so take it off! It could be costing you more than you know!

   Science has always shown us it requires more energy to move something heavy than something light. Save your money and reduce your energy consumption by taking all that unnecessary junk from your trunk!

4. Tyres. Think about this one, your tyres are the only thing that connects your car to the road. It, therefore, goes without saying that your tyres could be the single most cost-effective way for you to save money & energy. All tyres now are rated, just like your fridge or washing machine. They will tell you how effective they are in certain conditions but also give you an energy or fuel rating too. Choosing a tyre with low rolling resistance or a better fuel rating can save you £££ over the course of a year.

5. Use the right fuel. 95,98,99…. those numbers you see on the fuel pump actually refer to the octane level contained in the fuel. Your car’s manufacturer will specify the correct fuel type for your car. So if they suggest using a standard fuel don’t waste your money on the higher octane fuel as you won’t actually get any benefit from it and it will end up costing you more money. Being a creature of habit (as we all are) can also cost us money. If you regularly fill your car up at the local supermarket you might not be getting the quality of fuel your car requires. Using a premium brand like BP or Shell fuel can have added benefits and actually save you money in the long run. These fuels are often considered premium fuel as they contain better fuel. This can actually get you more miles from a tank and prolong the life of your engine too. Click the links and do a bit of research on their fuels compared to your supermarket brands.