Reduce The Cost Of Motoring

With many drivers setting off on their holidays by car, and rocketing petrol prices, it's the ideal time to reduce the environmental impact - and cost - of motoring.

We bring you a dozen top tips for greener driving, from online insurance provider yesinsurance.co.uk, and ethical financial services provider Co-operative Insurance (CIS) who run www.ecoinsurance.co.uk.

Speed
Smooth driving at a sensible speed is the best way to keep emissions and expenditure to a minimum. Generally speaking, petrol is consumed quicker at low and high speeds, with 50 to 60mph usually being the most fuel-efficient speeds. So, try to plan your route and timing to avoid traffic jams, and remember also that driving over 70mph, as well as being against the law, dramatically increases emissions and consumption. Even driving at 70mph can cost up to 25 per cent more than driving at 50mph. Remember too that both fast acceleration and heavy braking use more fuel.

Air Conditioning
Air conditioning increases fuel consumption by around 10 per cent, so it is usually more efficient to open a window. However, at higher speeds of 50mph and above, the additional drag caused by having the window open begins to approach the cost of using the aircon. Air conditioning in cars increases emissions and decreases fuel economy by as much as one and half kilometres for every two litres. Turn off the air conditioning as soon as your car has cooled to a comfortable temperature or better still, use your air vents.

Tyres
Under-inflated tyres waste fuel, adding maybe 2 per cent to your fuel bill. A well-maintained car can use less fuel than one that is badly maintained. For every 6pounds per square inch that a tyre is under-inflated, fuel consumption can rise by 1 per cent.

Filters
Dirty air filters can dramatically reduce fuel economy, and they can also make you fail a roadside emissions test. They are usually very easy to change, either by yourself or your garage.

Watch Your Weight
Every extra 50 kilograms of weight can increase your fuel costs by around 2 per cent, so avoid driving around with unnecessary items - or people! - in your car. Reduce weight, and fuel consumption, by simply removing unnecessary items from your car that do not need to be there for a particular journey. These can include prams, golf clubs, tools and heavy footwear.

Friction
Roof racks, spoilers and anything else that increases drag on the outside of your car can dramatically increase the amount of fuel you use. Take the roof rack off when you are not using it.

Switch Off
If you are going to be stationary for more than two minutes, switch off the engine rather than waste fuel. Park up and go inside instead of using the DriveThru, this will save you fuel, reduce your emissions and increase the efficiency of your catalytic converter.

Smooth Operator
Sharp acceleration and sudden braking use more fel. By accelerating and decelerating gradually, you can improve your fuel efficiency by around 30 per cent.

Easy On The Gas
Avoid overfilling the tank when re-fuelling as spilled fuel evaporates and releases harmful emissions.

Recycle
Batteries and oil can be recycled at your local household waste disposal centre.

Plan
Plan your trip before you leave home, paying attention to both the route and timing of your trip. yesinsurance.co.uk estimates that around 350,000 tonnes of fuel is wasted every year by drivers who get lost. Make sure you know where you're going. Search the web for a route planner or alternatively you can invest in a simple satellite navigation system - this will enable you to not only find your way, but to also bypass congested routes.

Don't Drive
Don't use the car for short journeys, take a walk and keep fit! Similarly, public transport can often be an easier and more cost-effective way of travelling, and you don't have to worry about parking. When you do use the car, try to combine trips into one journey and, where possible, share trips with friends. Whenever feasible, share a lift to work, or carpool and use the most fuel-efficient car possible. A trip with three stops is much more economical than three separate trips.

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