The problem of global climate change isn’t new, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone. This is why many industries have begun taking steps to improve their practices to become friendlier to the environment, making the world safer for everyone. Part of the factors that affect the changing climes is the use of natural resources, including fossil fuels that we use in transportation and many other industries. Petrol and diesel are two products obtained from fossil fuels, and as more and more cars populate the world’s roads, so does the amount of fuel we consume.
This is why it’s important to practise eco driving. Eco driving simply means driving in a way that uses fuel as efficiently as possible. It not only saves on valuable resources but also reduces the amount of pollution generated from driving. Drivers who practise eco driving play a big role in improving road safety and reducing accident costs. Eco driving can ultimately lead to reduced noise, fewer local pollutants in the air, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Small changes can make a big difference
Fuel-efficient driving can result to fuel savings of up to eight percent. Small changes in driving habits can make you a safer and more efficient driver. If you want to learn more about how to do eco driving, here are some tips to get you started:
- Combine short trips. If it is possible for you to do errands all in one day, do so. Plan out your route to avoid having to go back and forth.
- Accelerate smoothly and gradually. Whenever possible, ease off the gas and use the highest gear but without making the engine work twice as hard. This will make it consume more fuel, which is counterproductive to what you want to achieve.
- Observe and anticipate. Plan your route ahead of time and stay alert once you hit the road. Keep an eye on traffic lights and signs as well as turns in the road so you can avoid having to stop unnecessarily.
- Set off right away after starting the engine. The longer you let your engine warm up, the more fuel you consume. So, don’t start the engine until you are really ready to go. The engine will warm up once you get moving. If the engine is iced over, scrape off the ice to help the engine warm up. If you will be stopping for more than two minues, turn off the engine instead of idling.
- Inflate your tyres properly. Make sure your tyres have the correct air pressure; under-inflated tyres reduce your vehicle’s fuel economy.
- Don’t forget maintenance. Keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently by having your car serviced on a regular basis.
Why not tomorrow?
We may be able to have the necessary resources to live our lives today, but what of the future generations? If we continue to waste resources and pollute the environment, we are doing our children—and our children’s children—a disservice by making the world an uninhabitable place. Besides, wouldn’t you like to save on costs now? Eco driving is more important now than ever before, and should be the standard employed by every driver worth his salt.
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