Driving smoothly and avoiding stop-start traffic saves fuel and up to 30 per cent of greenhouse emissions. Avoid short car trips by walking or cycling Walking or cycling is good exercise and saves over a quarter of a kilogram of greenhouse gas per kilometre of car driving it replaces. Service your car regularly Keep your car well tuned and reduce greenhouse gases by up to 15 per cent through fuel savings. Select the right gear Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.
Speed kills economy High speeds result in high fuel consumption.
On the open road drive within the posted speed limits. Stopping and braking Resting your foot on the brake or driving with the hand-brake on wastes fuel, increases brake wear and decreases braking efficiency. Rather than idle for lengthy periods it is more fuel efficient to switch off and then restart your engine when necessary. Filling up Filling past the first click of the fuel nozzle means fuel can be spilt or lost through the overflow pipe when you accelerate or go around corners. A properly fitting petrol cap also saves fuel by minimising evaporation of petrol.