Eco-Friendly Driving Tips
Eco-driving saves fuel, reduces emissions, AND saves you money. Here are proven techniques to use less fuel.
The Biggest Fuel Wasters
- ❌ Aggressive acceleration - Burns fuel fast
- ❌ Heavy braking - Wastes momentum
- ❌ Speeding - Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially
- ❌ Idling - Burning fuel for nothing
- ❌ Excess weight - More weight = more fuel
- ❌ Roof racks - Up to 20% more fuel
Smooth Driving Technique
The Eco-Driving Mantra:
Ease on the gas, ease off the brake
- • Accelerate gently - pretend there's an egg under the pedal
- • Look far ahead - anticipate stops to coast
- • Use engine braking - release accelerator to slow
- • Smooth stops - ease onto the brake, don't slam
Speed and Fuel Consumption
⚡ The Speed Sweet Spot:
For most cars, the most efficient speed is 80-90km/h.
- • 100km/h uses ~10-15% more fuel than 90km/h
- • 110km/h uses ~20-25% more fuel than 90km/h
- • Slowing to 90km/h on a highway trip can cut fuel use by 2L/100km
Idling - Just Turn It Off
Modern cars don't need idling to warm up!
Start driving gently after 30 seconds - the engine warms faster moving.
Stop idling if you're waiting more than 10 seconds:
- • At railway crossings
- • Waiting at drive-throughs
- • Dropping someone off
Use Air Conditioning Wisely
- • AC can increase fuel use by 10-15%
- • Use recirculation mode - cooler air, less work
- • Park in shade - less AC needed to cool down
- • At highway speeds, AC is more efficient than open windows
- • At city speeds, open windows cause less drag than AC
Tyre Pressure Matters
Under-inflated tyres = More fuel:
- • Check pressure monthly
- • Use manufacturer-recommended pressure (on driver's door jamb)
- • Check when tyres are cold
- • Every 10psi below recommended = 2% more fuel
Lighten Your Load
Every 50kg = ~2% more fuel
Clear out the boot! Remove roof racks when not in use. The items you forget about add up.
Plan Your Trips
- • Combine multiple errands into one trip
- • Cold starts use more fuel - do all nearby stops first
- • Use GPS to find the most efficient route
- • Avoid peak hour traffic if possible
Quick Eco-Checklist
Every Drive:
- ☐ Gentle acceleration
- ☐ Smooth braking
- ☐ Anticipate traffic flow
- ☐ Remove unnecessary weight
Weekly/Monthly:
- ☐ Check tyre pressure
- ☐ Remove roof rack
- ☐ Service your car
- ☐ Clean air filter
Save Money:
If you average 7L/100km and improve to 6L/100km, that's about $300 saved per year (at $2.00/L, 15,000km/year). Eco-driving is free and easy once it becomes habit.