Eco-friendly driving: protect the environment and save fuel

Cars are one of the best inventions of humanity. They help us get from one point to another in a blink of an eye and are affordable for most of us. However, as the number of vehicles increased worldwide along with the amount of fuel used and demanded, it has been observed that cars can contribute to the harming of the environment.

Every year, a regular passenger car releases around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide, but bigger vehicles increase their contribution to air pollution. Unfortunately, it seems like not even electric cars are a better solution to decrease the severity of the situation because the power plants fueling them can be packed with harmful gases that get into the atmosphere.

There isn’t any perfect solution at the moment, and the only thing drivers can do is be more aware of their driving habits because how you drive can be more or less damaging to the vehicle and the environment.

Here are some valuable tips on eco-friendly driving. 

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Limit your trips

Nowadays, driving isn’t reduced to essential trips but is instead used as a way of transport to and from anywhere. It’s known, for example, that in America, the lack of walkable cities requires most people to own a car, as the public transportation system isn’t that developed. This forces citizens to get in the car for less important reasons, such as getting a coffee or getting to a close friend’s house.

On the other hand, in Europe, you can leave your car almost anywhere in a safe spot and then walk to any restaurant or tourist point. For instance, if you’re travelling in the UK and have a long layover at the airport, you can check parking Heathrow spots and leave your car there while you make a short trip on foot along River Thames or visit Legoland with your kids. This way, you’re saving fuel and also escaping the traffic burden. 

Drive strategically

Driving is easy ―you start the car, drive where you need to be and park it. But you can make it more thoughtful with tips to decrease fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. For example, you can use your GPS better to choose the fastest and less congested route. Beating the rush hour allows the car to work better because traffic jams increase fuel consumption.

It’s also better to plan where you’ll park your car beforehand so you won’t waste any more time and fuel on finding a nearby car park. Check out https://parkos.co.uk/ for the best parking lot deals, where you can also book a spot close to airports in case you need to leave your car for some time and are worried about its safety.

Maintain the car’s condition

One of the best things for keeping your car for longer and also allowing it to function properly without damaging the air’s quality is to take it for regular maintenance. This process should be done at least every six months, even though there seems to be nothing wrong with the car’s condition.

That’s because small details contribute to the withering of the car’s resilience. For example, air filters need to be changed regularly for the vehicle to work at maximum capacity. At the same time, a professional must check the system fuel because signs of leaking can reduce fuel efficiency. Checking the tire pressure, maintaining the radiator and limiting ASC usage are only a few tips for taking care of your vehicle in the long run.

Drive safely

Aggressive and over-the-limit driving consumes the most gas, which can lower gas mileage by about 30% while driving on a highway and 40% in stop-and-go traffic congestion. Although different types of vehicles indeed reach their optimal economy at different speeds, which needs to be checked before buying the car to ensure the best outcome, it’s generally accepted that driving according to legal speed limits is best.

Driving faster than you should burns more fuel as a result of tire rolling resistance. Only hard braking alone increases fuel consumption by approximately 40%. In the end, aggressive driving is the main cause of accidents besides fuel efficiency, from head-on collisions to sideswipe injuries. Going full throttle is never a good solution if you want to arrive somewhere fast, so just leave the house earlier and drive carefully.

Minimise load weight

We know that cargo space is meant to be used so you can carry your work supplies, furniture or anything else that weighs considerably. But be mindful that fuel consumption increases as your car gets heavier because the car will have to work harder as inertia rises. Therefore, if you’re not using the objects in the vehicle for your next commute, it’s best to unload them because otherwise, you’ll significantly raise the gas budget. 

You can also decrease the weight of your car by filling the gas tank halfway. This tip is also environmentally friendly because topping the tank releases hazardous vapours to escape into the air, forcing fuel to leak into the canister and damaging the vehicle.

Is it better to purchase a green car rather than a regular one?

The answer to this question depends on an array of factors. For example, if you wish to purchase a bigger car, it’s still better to opt for an electrical one but still check the CO2 emitted. Otherwise, you can safely buy any type of car if it has a smaller engine that doesn’t consume as much as regular cars.

At least for the moment, green cars provide a reliable, eco-friendly manner for driving, but they can develop for 100% efficiency in the future. They’re also somewhat affordable and can be maintained for the long run, making them reliable.

Bottom line

The increasing number of cars is affecting the environment as their engines produce enormous amounts of CO2, affecting air quality. As climate change becomes more worrying, drivers can do a few things to minimise the impact of cars on the environment, such as limiting their car rides or driving less aggressively.