Hybrids and electric cars aren’t for everyone, due to the cost and practicality, not everyone wants to or is able to switch to battery power. Whether you’re full on petrol head or just own a car for the sake of getting to A-B, there is plenty of ways to make you can make your car eco-friendlier. Which is why we have teamed up with Go Green Leasing to round up 5 tips to help you on your eco- friendly journey.
Remove extra weight
This is basic science, the more an object weighs the more power it needs to move. This is the same when it comes to your car, the more your car weighs, the more fuel it will use. Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle and you could see a drop in your fuel economy. Although decreasing weight of your car is a quick win when lowering your fuel economy, you shouldn’t go to extreme measures to do this. Start off by asking yourself to do you really need everything on your car or can it be left back home?
Check your tires
Under-inflated tires don’t run as efficiently as inflated ones, meaning your engine has worked harder to get your car moving. Which subsequently means your car burns more fuel, having correct tire pressure is one of the easiest things you can do to boost your fuel economy.
Correctly filled tires also last long, meaning you can save yourself both time and money replacing them. It is also important for drivers who have chosen to lease a car to get in the habit of checking your tyres at least once a month. By doing this you can avoid any extra charges at the end of the contract.
Fix the Fuel System
Your filter should be changed, and injectors flushed about every 30,000 miles as part of normal maintenance. However, if you smell fuel in or near your car, have the entire system checked immediately. It could be that a line or seal is leaking and letting fuel drip out on the road.
Fill Up the Right Way
This may seem a little bizarre but the way you put fuel in your car can actually make a difference to your fuel economy. By giving the pump a few extra squeezes after the pump stops you increase the chance of harmful vapours leaving your tanks. If you have a modern car you may have an emissions canister that could prevent this. By topping off your tank this can force liquid into the canister, which can reduce the effectiveness of the fuel.
Accelerate less
Allow speed to build up more slowly to avoid over-revving the engine which burns more fuel. Also, leave longer gaps between you and the car in front to avoid having to brake heavily then accelerate again to get up to speed.