Eco-Driving: The Key to Safer and Greener Driving

What is eco-driving?

Eco-driving is a way to drive a vehicle smoothly, safely, and economically. Plus, it's much kinder to our environment! There really are no negatives to eco-driving—it produces nothing but benefits!

What are the benefits of eco-driving?

Driving can be expensive. In fact, it's believed that aside from a mortgage, it's the biggest financial commitment many of us will make in our lives. So, why not drive in a way that helps you save fuel and, therefore, save money?

It’s estimated that driving in an eco-friendly manner can reduce our fuel bills by between 10% and 20%. That can easily translate to hundreds of pounds in savings each year!

By using gentle acceleration, braking, and anticipating situations ahead, you’ll reduce wear and tear on your engine, brake pads, tyres, and gearbox. Looking after your car this way means fewer visits to those pricey mechanics, which results in a significantly lower vehicle maintenance bill.

Eco-driving techniques also promote safer driving. They encourage a calm, controlled, and forward-thinking style, which naturally lowers the risk of collisions—something we all want to avoid!

Our planet is already in a poor state environmentally, so by incorporating eco-driving, we can all play our part in helping Mother Earth. Burning less fuel means emitting less CO2, which is harmful to our environment.

Eco-Driving Techniques

Smooth Acceleration

Smooth acceleration is one of the core elements of eco-driving. Increasing your speed gradually rather than aggressively ensures your driving is much more eco-friendly. Bursts of acceleration use much more fuel, so maintaining a consistent pressure on the accelerator helps a lot. 'Flooring it' should always be avoided! We call these techniques "acceleration sense."

Maintaining a Steady Speed

As an extension of "acceleration sense," maintaining a steady speed also contributes to eco-friendly driving. Use higher gears when possible to reduce the engine's rev count, which results in less fuel consumption. Avoid using lower gears for extended periods. On long stretches of road, like motorways, cruise control can be a great tool to help maintain your speed.

Anticipation is Key

Modern driving often involves navigating busy environments filled with hazards. By anticipating what’s ahead, you can manage your approach better. This allows you to ease off the gas, apply gentle pressure to your brakes, and avoid unnecessary stops.

Managing Your Speed

Managing your speed can also have eco-friendly benefits. Did you know that driving at 70 mph uses significantly more fuel than driving at 60 mph? However, it's essential to balance this technique with ensuring you're making sufficient progress and not affecting other road users. Always adhere to speed limits when safe and suitable to do so.

Avoiding Idling

'Idling' is when you're stationary in a vehicle but leave the engine running. This should be avoided whenever possible. Many modern cars have features like 'Auto Start/Stop,' where the engine cuts off until you're ready to move again. Always switch off your engine when parked to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions.

Reducing Weight

The weight of your vehicle impacts eco-driving. We’re not suggesting you start ripping out seats or taking off doors, but there are things you can do to lighten the load. For example, remove unnecessary items from your boot, take off roof racks when not in use, and avoid driving with a full tank of fuel if you don’t need it.

Maintaining Tyre Pressure

Tyre pressures should be maintained according to your vehicle's user manual. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption due to increased drag. Incorrectly inflated tyres can also affect your vehicle's handling.

Using Air Conditioning Wisely

Air conditioning uses fuel, so use it wisely. Ask yourself if you really need it on. Additionally, having your windows open increases drag when driving, making your car work harder and using more fuel.

Planning Your Journeys

Finally, plan your journeys well. Avoid peak traffic when possible, and try to limit frequent short trips that don’t allow your engine to warm up. Driving on a cold engine is far from eco-friendly!

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found this blog helpful! If you have any further questions or would like to book your driving lessons with Day Tripper Driving Tuition in and around the Great Yarmouth area, please get in touch.

Adrian

Company Owner