Environmental Awareness and Eco-Driving: Saving Fuel and Air
Smooth driving saves fuel
Eco-driving is about anticipation and smoothness. Accelerate steadily, shift up early, and keep engine speed low. Avoid harsh braking and rapid acceleration, which waste energy. The trap is a question suggesting that a higher gear always saves fuel: it saves fuel only while the engine is not labouring; too high a gear strains the engine and increases consumption.
Idling, load and aerodynamics
A stationary engine still burns fuel, so switch off during long waits. Remove unnecessary roof racks and heavy loads, and keep tyres correctly inflated. Air conditioning increases consumption, but open windows at high speed increase drag, so the better choice depends on speed.
Emissions and maintenance
A well-maintained engine pollutes less. Catalytic converters and particulate filters need proper operating temperature and correct fuel. Never pour oil or coolant down a drain; use collection points. Noise is pollution too, so avoid unnecessary horn use and high revs in residential areas.
Worked example
On a long downhill stretch, release the accelerator and let the engine brake the car rather than holding the clutch down. Modern engines cut fuel delivery on overrun, so this saves fuel and reduces brake wear. Coasting in neutral is not eco-driving and reduces control.