80% of drivers changing how they drive to save fuel

80% of drivers have changed their driving behaviour to save fuel, according to the IAM’s latest opinion poll. Of the 2,500 people polled, half said they had changed to a more eco-friendly driving style.

Other changes in behaviour include:

  • Making fewer journeys (38.10%).
  • Using public transport more (21.48%).
  • Buying a more fuel-efficient car (18.08%.




How to improve your MPG and cut carbon emissions:

  1. Keep your vehicle moving rather than stopping and starting. Look further ahead and slow down earlier to avoid stopping. Driving at a constant speed is far more fuel efficient than heavy accelerating and braking.
  2. Check your tyres. Under-inflated tyres have a big impact on fuel economy.
  3. Put your car on a diet. Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and heavy items in the boot.
  4. Try to avoid using air conditioning and climate control at low speeds as they increase fuel consumption. Open a window. But at high speeds, close your windows to maintain the aerodynamics of the car. Use air-con to get the car to a comfortable temperature, and then turn it off to save fuel.
  5. Clean screens rarely mist up - so you’ll use the heater and air-conditioning less.
  6. Try changing up your gears earlier; for petrol engines at 2,500 rpm (revs per minute), and diesel engines 2,000 rpm
  7. Reverse into parking bays: manoeuvring with a cold engine uses more fuel, so make the most of having a hot engine.
  8. It will take most cars at least a couple of miles to warm up and run efficiently. Could you walk or cycle?
  9. Drive at an even pace over speed humps. Slowing down and speeding up drinks more fuel.
  10. Stick to the speed limit.

The percentages in the bullet points and the rest of the article don’t necessarily add up to 100, as respondents were able to choose as many options as they agreed with. The percentages represent a percentage of the total sample.

Fore more about the IAM, visit www.iam.org.uk

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