Eco driving tips

Here are some tips on eco-safe driving:

Avoid sudden braking and accelerate smoothly. To be able to do this you must be able to anticipate events ahead in good time. It is much better to come off the accelerator in good time rather than to brake late. Keeping on the accelerator uses more fuel, and the extra heat created with late braking escapes to the atmosphere. The brake discs and pads also have to be replaced earlier, with the consequent environmental damage from their manufacture.

Stay within the speed limits. Exceeding the speed limits not only risk a fine, but the increased speed uses extra fuel needlessly.

Move away smoothly without excessive engine revs. A diesel engines optimum revolution for fuel economy is around 2,000 revs per minute and a petrol vehicle is 2,500 r.p.m. Not only does this save fuel, but reduces clutch friction which in turn avoids early clutch replacement, with the consequent environmental damage from their manufacture.

Use the gears selectively. Just because they´re numbered doesn´t mean they have to be used in order. Only select the gear you need and use the highest gear you can unless you need the response from a lower one. Using a high gear uses less fuel than using a lower gear.

Keep your tyres correctly inflated. Check the vehicle handbook and make sure that your tyre pressures match the load you are carrying. Incorrect tyre pressures can cause excessive fuel consumption, and you will need to replace your tyres sooner, with the consequent environmental damage from their manufacture. Heat generated from driving on under-inflated tyres at speed can cause a blow out !

´ECO Driving´ is driving in a manner that reduced fuel consumption and emmisions and is to become an important part of the driving test. Below are examples of what you are expected to understand.
Topic	Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
Hazard Awareness/Planning	Identifies hazards in a timely manner allowing adequate time to respond. As a result braking and acceleration are smooth and progressive.	Consistently fails to identify hazards in a timely manner and as a result braking and acceleration is rushed and harsh.
Compliance with Speed limits	Complies with all posted and national speed limits. Ensures that speed is always appropriate to road, traffic and weather conditions.	Consistently fails to comply with posted and national speed limits. Drives too quickly for prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Starting and moving away	Starts engine without excessive use of accelerator. Moves away from stops smoothly.	Consistently uses excessive accelerator when starting engine. Moves away from stops harshly, too quickly for conditions.
Use of accelerator	Uses the accelerator during in normal driving in a smooth manner, co-ordinated with other controls. Demonstrates good acceleration sense.	Consistently uses the accelerator during normal driving harshly. As a result progress is made in such a way as to produce an uncomfortable ride. The stability of the vehicle is affected
Gear selection	Uses gears sensibly and efficiently. The vehicle is always travelling in an appropriate gear for road and traffic conditions. Uses gears selectively (up and down) and selects highest suitable gear as soon as possible, without causing engine to labour.	Consistently fails to use gears effectively and efficiently. Selects inappropriate gears and does not use selective gear selection. Causes engine to over rev or labour due to inappropriate selection.
Engine braking	Takes advantage of the effects of engine braking when appropriate.	Consistently fails to use engine braking showing an over-reliance on brakes to slow the vehicle.
Engine power/torque	Takes advantage of the power/torque characteristics of a modern engine. Utilizes higher gears at lower engine speeds, when negotiating hazards, without causing engine to labour.	Consistently fails to take advantage of power/torque characteristics of a modern engine. Uses lower gears unnecessarily, not recognizing, when negotiating hazards, that a higher gear may be appropriate.
Use of cruise control (when fitted)	Uses cruise control in situations where it would be appropriate without compromising road safety.	Consistently fails to use cruise control appropriately.