Climate change is a concern for all. Yet, our lifestyle and work requirements are such that many cannot just give up on driving. But there is a lot drivers in India and elsewhere can do to increase their mileage. This is not only beneficial financially but it also helps keep the pollution low.
Recently I saw a TV documentry tracking different methods one can use to increase the kilometers or miles per liter / gallon. I am giving a gist of the findings below and hope the readers finds the tips for increasing their mileage useful.
- Drive Green: Essentially this means the driver must drive gently. Raving your engine, rapic acceleration and harsh braking increase fule consumption. Also by driving gently, one can avoid stopping and starting repeatedly. The stop-start consumes more fuel. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs. If you drive a diesel car try changing up a gear when the rev counter reaches 2000rpm. For a petrol car change up at 2500rpm. Drivers can hope to increase fuel efficiency by 25% using this method. The best bit is it does not cost anything.
- Reduce speed: Driving too fast increases fuel consumption. At 70mph you could be using up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than at 50mph.
- Revving: Revving up like a race car only wastes fuel and increases engine wear.
- Tyre Pressure: Low tyre pressure causes higher resistence when driving thus leading to poor fuel efficiency. Make sure your tyres are pumped optimally and you could reduce emissions and pollution.
- Clutter: Reduce anything heavy in your boot and your car will become more fuel efficient. Less clutter = less pollution.
- Idling: When the engine is idling you're wasting fuel and adding to CO2 emissions. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more than 3 minutes, simply switch off the engine.
- Service your car: This alone enhanced one car drivers mileage by 30%. Yes, you would have to spend money, but the cost is off-set many times over from the fuel efficiency you get.
- Going diesel: Diesel engines offer more for every gallon or liter, but there will be the costs of adapting your engine and also, though CO2 emission reduces the particulate emission increases (not good for city driving). In India, there are other options to consider i.e. LPG etc. In the long run with advances in technology, it will be the hybrid cars which will offer the best value for money in terms of mileage and pollution control.
- Fancy gadgets: A magnetic fuel-saving device gave an 8% improvement.
- Premium petrol: Switching from unleaded to premium petrol increases fuel efficiency, but you pay more for the petrol and hence this does not lead to direct savings (unless you get premium petrol cheaper where you live). But there could be indirect savings as premium petrol is less corrosive and better in terms of the life of your vehicle. If you can afford it, then do it for the sake of reducing the risk of climate change.
- Upgrade: Older cars are not fuel efficient and hence if you can, you must consider upgrading - this will offer ~ 8% fuel efficiency (unless you buy and upgrade to a 4x4 gas guzzler).
This is not rocket science, but if we allow common sense to prevail, we stand to gain substantially without having to spend anything. Several tips above do not need any spending - the only thing needed is changing our driving habits.
I will end with an appeal to all to sign-up to the Earth Hour 2008 Campaign and join me and thousands worldwide in off-setting the carbon footprint. Further you may want to have a look at a video explaining climate change and how it happens below.
Do consider visiting this resource for more information on how to reduce you cars carbon footprint.
