Hints & tips

Tips for safer, greener, stress-free driving

Welcome to our hints & tips page. Hopefully you will find the information here both useful and cost-effective, in both financial terms and the cost to the environment.

We do not know EVERYTHING!, we admit it, but we do know that we would like to hear from you about any hints and tips you have discovered, or use to make a difference.

Please tell us about them here and we will publish the best ones here.

Check your revsCheck your revs
Change up before you reach 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).

Road conditionsRoad conditions
Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy breaking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.

Air conditioningAir conditioning
Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.

Drive away immediatelyDrive away immediately
When starting from cold, drive away immediately - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.

Roof and bike racksRoof and bike racks
Remove your roof or bike rack when not in use - they increase drag significantly, wasting fuel.

Short journeysShort journeys
Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses twice as much fuel, and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.

Speed limitsSpeed limits
Stick to speed limits and make your fuel go further - driving at 85mph rather then 70mph use 25% more fuel.

Journey planningJourney planning
Plan your journeys - avoid congestion, roadworks and getting lost.

Tyre pressureTyre pressure
Check your tyre pressure regularly. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.

Switch offSwitch off
If you are stick in a jam, switch off! - cutting the engine will save fuel and stop emissions.