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Top Fuel-saving Tips A driver training module which can improve fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent and lead to significant vehicle emission reductions has been launched today by two of the UK’s leading fleet driver training companies, IAM Fleet UK and Drive & Survive - part of IAM Commercial. With fuel prices still high and the effect of transport use on the environment under constant scrutiny, IAM Commercial has developed ecolution to help companies reduce fuel bills and their carbon footprint.
Check your revs - Change up before, 2500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel). Track the trip - Set on-board tracking computers to ‘actual’ mode to track miles/kilometre per hour and miles per gallon/ kilometre per litre expenditure. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly - Avoid sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates. Get some air – Use air-conditioning sparingly as it increases fuel consumption. Reverse park to drive off straight away – Driving when the engine is cold uses around 20 to 25 times more petrol than it does when warm. This adds up over the year and also causes increased wear on the car’s engine. Shed the load – Remove unneeded excess load from the boot or roof rack. Stick to the speed limit – Driving at 50mph (80km/h) rather than 70mph (110km/h) could see up to 30 per cent less fuel used. Know where to go – Plan your route carefully before setting off to avoid congestion, prevent getting lost and using up valuable fuel. Service vehicles regularly - Inefficient, under-serviced engines can reduce fuel economy by 10 per cent or more and underinflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to three per cent. In a jam – If you’re stuck in traffic, turn off the engine to save fuel and stop emissions At a time when fuel prices are at an all-time high and companies are looking to reduce fleet operating costs, adopting simple driving techniques can provide a starting point to help reduce the effects of this. For further eco-driving advice from IAM Commercial, visit ecolution.uk.com or www.iam.org.uk |
