Going Green

On average, most people drive their cars around 15,000 km each year. That adds about four tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere each year. So you could replace your car with a newer, more fuel efficient car. Within a few years, the fuel savings will more than make up for the energy that went into making the new car.

Other options are to walk or ride a bike everywhere you go. But if you rely on your car, you can still care about the environment. The best green car for you depends on your needs. Buying a car with green credentials is pointless if it doesn’t meet your basic needs.

Car manufacturers recognise that a growing number of new car buyers want to limit their impact on the environment. While there are hybrid vehicles and electric cars on the market, manufacturers have also introduced greater fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions to many “normal” cars, giving them green credentials you may not be aware of. There are also more small cars on the market, helping cut down on greenhouse emissions and fuel consumption.

Some of the green features you can look for include:

• Low air pollution rating
• Low carbon dioxide  emissions
• Smaller engine size
• Good fuel consumption rating
• High green rating
• Good greenhouse rating
• Low noise pollution
• Lower number of cylinders

So before you jump on the green car bandwagon, make sure you think about what it is you need from your vehicle. 

Green Driving Tips

With the price of fuel an issue for many drivers, it makes sense to drive economically. These simple tips may help reduce your annual fuel bill and reduce your impact on the environment.

1. Tyre pressure 

Check your tyre pressure when you fill up with fuel and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. Driving with correctly inflated tyres helps cut down on fuel consumption.

2. Leave the golf clubs at home

 Clutter in your boot and increases the overall weight of your vehicle and increases fuel consumption. Don’t drive around with your golf clubs or the pram in the boot of the car if you don’t need them. Also, take the roof racks off if you’re not using them as they increase drag and have the same effect as carrying around extra weight.

3. Drive in the right gear

You’ll also increase your fuel usage by driving in low gear for too long. In a manual vehicle, try to change gears as soon as the vehicle is comfortable with the higher gear, but without accelerating harder than needed. In an automatic vehicle, switch to overdrive when you’re on the highway.

4. Drive smoothly

Stop and start driving is much less efficient and more polluting than driving at a constant speed. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator and keeping the car in gear.

5. Don't speed

At 110km/h your car uses up to 25% more fuel than at 90km/h. If you have cruise control, use it to help maintain a steady speed – this will help you save fuel, avoid a speeding ticket and reduce your emissions.

6. Turn the engine off

Cars built in the past 20 years don’t need warming up before you set off, so don’t waste fuel. If you're likely to be sitting still for more than three minutes, turning the engine off wastes less fuel than restarting when you are ready to set off.

7. Keep your car well maintained

A vehicle that is serviced and maintained as the manufacturer intended will cause less greenhouse emissions and run more efficiently, costing you less in fuel and repairs.