- “Switch Off” your engine whenever possible-remember, Idling costs you money, pollutes the air and harms your environment.
- Regular servicing helps keep the engine at best efficiently. If you need your emissions checked free of charge, visit our testing van (see testing programme).
- Cold starts-drive off as soon as possible after starting.
- Minimise weight-don’t carry unnecessary weight, empty the clutter.
- Drive smoothly and efficiently-harsh acceleration and heavy braking have a very significant impact on fuel consumption. If you are going to stop take your foot off the accelerator early. Driving more smoothly saves fuel.
- Slow down-driving at high speeds significantly increases fuel consumption.
- Use higher gears as soon as traffic conditions allow.
- Remove roof racks when not in use; they add weight, increase drag and increase fuel consumption
- Regularly check your tyres to ensure that they are inflated to the correct pressure.
- Check your fuel consumption-it will help you get the most from the car. Changes in overall fuel consumption may indicate a fault.
- Use air-conditioning sparingly-running it continually will increase fuel consumption significantly.
- Plan ahead-choose uncongested routes, combine trips or car share. Perhaps try Lift Share
- Try to avoid using your car for short journeys-use public transport, ride a bicycle or walk whenever possible. Cars are more polluting so short journeys because they are cold.
Source: http://switchoffandbreathe.org/what-can-i-do/