Tips for Fuel Friendly Cars

Energy Efficient Concept, BMW “Green Cars”

We have heard of the term eco drive.  “Eco drive” or “eco friendly driving” simply means how fuel-efficient one drives a car. If we search online, we will find websites of car manufacturers offering eco drive or environmentally friendly cars according to their latest “green” car model hybrid level concepts and friendly driving tips. They relate to techniques of eco driving, such as smooth braking and acceleration, car maintenance, and other vehicle controls, if only to label vehicles as “fuel friendly cars” or  “environmentally friendly cars.”

Maintain Your Car Efficiency

If you keep your car in good condition, you’ll get the most of fuel by increasing its efficiency or saving on it and reducing repair expenses. In terms of greenhouse emissions, you’ll pump fewer gases into the atmosphere.

• Fix it when it has failed an emission test to boost petrol mileage.
• Check tire pressure monthly, advisably, in the morning when the tires are cold. Make sure tire pressure is right; under-inflated tires wear down faster.
• Clear heavy junk of your car in your trunk, like golf clubs and other similar items. The heavier the weight, the more petrol mileage drops.
• Watch out on your engine’s air filter, that it’s not dirty, clogged with dirt and insects. Have it checked at each oil change. Clean air filter improves petrol mileage.

Reduce Your Car Air conditioner Use

On a hot, humid day, it’s fair enough to use your air conditioner but when the weather is pleasant, switch it off. If you cut down your AC use by half or better still, two thirds, this can make a difference in your annual savings.

• Ask yourself if you really need to use your car air conditioner. Depending on your car and driving conditions, your fuel consumption can increase enormously.
• In buying a new car, consider one with tinted windows and a light-coloured exterior to reduce your AC need.  For an existing car, consider having your windows tinted with solar control film.
• The air conditioner reduces fuel economy most during acceleration. Wait until you have reached cruising speed to turn on your AC.
• If possible, park your car in the shade. Otherwise, use sunshades or car covers to screen your car and stop it from absorbing so much heat.

Take Fewer Short Trips

Plan and combine your trips, family or personal, if necessary. All it takes is some planning in the day’s work. You save money, time, petrol and carbon.

Use Car Cruise Control

Accelerate and decelerate slowly and gently. The use of cruise control is meant to improve fuel consumption by cutting down on carbon deposits – the more carbon the more could be spent in propelling the car.  The cruise control function doesn’t really make a difference as to how the engine performs but it hinders (or stops) you from rapid acceleration  that could cause traffic jam, burning up fuel and pumping out pollution.

Having a car has a lot of advantages. For one thing it gets us much faster where we want to go and to be.  Sadly, motor vehicles are a significant contributors of human-caused carbon emissions. Concerns for the environment can no longer be taken for granted.  Aside from saving expenses, one most recent issue that has constantly evolved to help keep an eco friendly environment is how to cut carbon in terms of better fuels.

Image Credit:
www.environmentteam.com – Energy efficient concept from BMW “Green Cars” with “Vision Efficient Dynamic” mechanism