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Choosing a greener car: There are a number of new technologies available which offer more environmentally friendly motoring, ranging from electric and hybrid vehicles to very fuel- efficient diesel engines. However, even without changing vehicle there are 3 relatively simple things we can all do that will reduce fuel consumption and make our car journeys less environmentally damaging immediately:
- Regularly check wheel alignment and tyre pressures - low tyre pressure and mis-aligned wheels can each increase fuel consumption by about 5%.
- Adopt a smooth driving style - avoid harsh acceleration, sudden braking and excessive speed. A car driven smoothly uses approximately 30% less fuel.
- Have your vehicle regularly serviced - damaged spark plugs and poor tuning can burn up to an additional 5% in fuel.
If you are planning to buy a brand new vehicle, there are 5 main environmentally friendly technologies you may wish to consider. If your budget doesn't run to a new car, then purchasing a second hand vehicle can be an equally sound choice environmentally as naturally re-using a product saves on the energy and environmental cost associated with new manufacture . When looking at used cars it's worth considering one that has been converted to run on LPG or biodiesel, but as always make sure that any conversion has been carried out by a qualified installer. In the case of vehicles running biodiesel, build up of residue in the fuel lines can be a significant and costly problem unless the vehicle has been fitted with a heated fuel filter. |