Efficient driving

Did you know you can make a big difference to your environmental footprint by driving your car more effectively? Effective driving will not only reduce the amount of fuel you use saving you money, but will also cut down on unnecessary wear and tear on the car, and the amount of pollution your car generates.

Drive your car more efficiently

The way you drive you car affects how much fuel it uses, and the emissions it produces. Try some of these driving tips:

• No need to warm up the car, or sit idling. Start up when you are ready to move off. Stuck in a traffic jam? Turn the engine off. Restarting uses less petrol than idling.
• Don't speed - not only is it dangerous but it also burns fuel at a faster rate.
• Drive smoothly and look beyond the car ahead to anticipate traffic flow. Keep a safe distance from the car in front, so you can act rather than react when their brakes come on.
• Take your foot off the accelerator before braking. The car will start to naturally slow.
• Change gears sooner rather than later to keep revs below 2,500 rpm. If you drive an automatic, ease back on the accelerator when the car gathers momentum, and your gears will change up more quickly and smoothly. Go up hills more slowly.
• Keep extra weight out of your car. Take off external sun visors and roof racks when you are not using them to help reduce drag.
• Use air conditioners only when needed. At speeds over 50 kilometres per hour, an air conditioner is more efficient than having the windows down, which causes lots of drag.
• Don’t overfill your petrol tank, only fill to the first click. The rest is lost in over-flow and evaporation.
• Plan your trips and combine errands. Lots of short trips means more mileage and higher level of emissions.

Keep your car well maintained

• Your car should have 6 monthly services and tunes. Check your oil, coolant, brake fluid and battery every fortnight.
• Make sure you maintain the right tyre pressure. This ensures your car is working efficiently. Look up the correct pressure in your car maintenance manual or ask your local tyre supplier. Also check for uneven wear, as this means you may have incorrect wheel alignment, which increases fuel consumption and means particles of tyre are going into the atmosphere.
• Take notice of any warning lights.
• Keep your air conditioning unit in good shape. Leaks can release greenhouse gases. All air conditioning systems must be installed, maintained and decommissioned by a licensed technician.

More information

The TravelSmart initiative brings together many community and government based programs that are assisting Australians to reduce the negative impacts of the car on traffic congestion and air pollution and to use alternatives to traveling in their private car. Check out TravelSmart Australia for ideas and to see what resources may be available in your state.

• Queensland - TravelSmart
• South Australian - TravelSmart
• Victoria - TravelSmart
• Western Australia - TravelSmart

Share this page

• Email a friend

Get instant updates

Subscribe to RSS updates (What is RSS?)