Eco-driving is a driving style that helps the environment and combats climate change by reducing fuel consumption and hence greenhouse gas emissions.
Eco-driving is based on eleven golden rules:
- Letting the revs (revolutions per minute or RPM) run to 2,000 and 2,500 per minute before changing up a gear and also keeping the revs between those figures.
- Driving at a steady speed as unnecessary acceleration, braking or changing gears, consumes large amounts of fuel. For example, driving at 120 km / h increases fuel consumption per kilometer by 30% compared to driving at 80km / h.
- Anticipating the traffic flow so that you can respond promptly.
- Undertaking proper and regular car maintenance and in particular have the tyres checked often. If the tyres have reduced pressure, the resistance increases and thus fuel consumption goes up. A pressure of less than 25% equals to approximately 2% more fuel consumption.
- Slowing down by releasing the accelerator and without changing gear. By doing this, the engine’s fuel shut-off mechanism is activated, causing the car to consume almost no energy at all.
- Switching off the engine when stopping for short periods of time (more than 1 minute).
- Avoiding overloading your vehicle and using roof racks. Every additional accessory you place on the vehicle (spoilers, racks, roof racks, additional large antennas, etc.) cause an increase in aerodynamic resistance and hence an increase in fuel consumption.
- Avoiding the unnecessary opening of windows and placing spoilers on the car.
- Sensible use of the air conditioning. Use it only when necessary and keep in mind that it shouldn’t be below 23 degrees Celsius.
- When driving uphill, drive at a high speed keeping your foot on the gas pedal. When going downhill take advantage of the acceleration and lift your foot off the gas pedal.
- Where the road is turning, slow down and if possible don’t use the brakes. Violent acceleration and braking before a turn will result in increased fuel consumption and is also very dangerous.
