With global warming and climate change becoming the hot topic of the day, it’s important that we all do as much as we can to limit our impact on the environment. But if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint but unable to reduce the number of miles you drive, there are some changes you can make to your driving, to reduce your emissions.
Repair the exhaust
Holes in your exhaust are one of the leading causes of excess emissions. Chips in the exhaust caused by debris in the road can corrode and lead to holes appearing. These are not always obvious as your exhaust runs from the engine, beneath your car to the rear, so you may need to check under the car for any signs of wear to the exhaust pipe.
Service regularly
You should get your car serviced regularly; at least annually or once every 12,000 miles, but as a very minimum, you should get an oil change and change the air filter. This will ensure the components of your engine are running smoothly, and that your engine is efficient.
Use better quality fuel
Higher grade fuels contain cleaning products which help to clear your engine of debris and run more efficiently. Alternatively, you can add a cleaning agent to your fuel tank.
Check tyre pressure
If your tyres are inflated incorrectly, your engine will be working harder than it needs to. By inflating your tyres to the correct pressure, they will grip the road better, creating less friction and ensuring your car moves forward more efficiently.
Reduce air conditioning use
Air conditioning is extremely useful in keeping your cabin temperature comfortable, particularly during the summer months. However, air con makes your engine work harder, which in turn leads to reduced fuel efficiency and increased emissions. However, when driving for longer distances, your air con could still be more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down as that causes wind resistance. Instead, be smarter about how you use your air con and turn it off a few miles before your destination. Air cooled by the air conditioning will continue to circulate and keep you cool.
Reduce idle time
If you don’t have stop/start technology, try to remember to turn off your engine if you’re likely to be stuck in traffic for a long period of time. It’s not necessary to turn off the engine at every set of lights but if you’re stuck in traffic and likely to be standing still for ten seconds or more, then try to turn off your engine.
Change gear earlier
Rather than wait until your engine reaches the upper limits of the rev counter, change gear once your car reaches approximately 2000 RPM. You should also break earlier to avoid dramatic gear changing and reduce wear and tear on your car.
At Lindleys Autocentres, we are vehicle repair and servicing specialists so if you have any concerns with your vehicle, or if you just want some guidance on how to reduce your vehicle emissions, speak to a member of our team today. We have local car garages across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.