Eco Driving & Safety

Please find below some tips and advice that will help you drive you're car more economically whilst also being a lot safer.

Be Proactive not reactive. Plan your progress and anticipate the actions of other road users, rather than react to their movements. Manage your space so as to reduce the amount of braking and acceleration you use.
Ease and Squeeze. Remember that the pedals are controls not switches. The gradual increasing or reduction of pressure on the throttle and brake pedals achieves smoother more efficient driving.
Develop and use your Acceleration Sense. Practise the exercise your Instructor went through with you about not using your brakes. This will develop your planning and Hazard Awareness skills, making you a smoother, safer and more economical driver.
Brakes to Slow, Gears to Go. Slow your vehicle using the brakes, then select and engage an appropriate gear for your road speed. By-pass all intermediate gears. Why make 3 changes when one will do?
Under pressure? Check your tyre pressures regularly. Under inflated tyres increase fuel consumption and can be dangerous.
Get your Kit off! Remove roof racks, roof boxes and cycle racks when not in use. They affect your car's aerodynamics and increase fuel consumption.
Are you too cool? Switch off your air conditioning if you are not actually cooling the air. Air con can increase fuel consumption by 10%.
In a Jam? If you are stationary in a traffic jam, consider switching off the engine if it's likely you will be there for a minute or more.
Start up - Move off. Don't wait for your engine to warm up, it wastes fuel and increases engine wear.
Watch the Revs. Change up early. Only use prolonged, high engine revs when absolutely necessary, e.g. when overtaking.
Breathe Easy. Pay particular attention to the condition of your air filter element when servicing and maintaining your vehicle. It is a major contributory factor towards your fuel economy.
Take It Easy. On longer journeys give yourself more time and lower your cruising speed. This will significantly reduce your fuel consumption and your stress levels.
Join Weight-Watchers. Don't always fill your fuel tank to the top. All you do is carry excess weight around on your journeys, thus increasing your fuel consumption.