Driving Green Guide - Tip Sheet

A few small changes to how you operate and maintain your vehicle will not only contribute to helping the environment in the long run, but will also save yourself time and money in the short term. Follow this guide for simple tips and suggestions:

There has never been a better motivation for getting your car serviced and properly tuned regularly and typres pumped up to their correct pressure; because if you do you could save up to 10 per cent of your fuel consumption

Rapid and constant speeding and braking is not only dangerous, it increases your fuel consumption. Driving smoothly on the other hand can save you up to 20 per cent on fuel

When waiting in you car, if you know you’ll be there for a while, turn off the car engine. Idling for more than 30 seconds uses more petrol than to restart the engine

One thing that will help you save fuel is to travel light and remove all excess baggage and unnecessary items from your car

While you may love your old run-down car or your huge four wheel drive, the environment doesn’t. So why not think about switching to a newer, more fuel economical car

Size does matter! A large car costs about $50 a week more in operating costs than a small or light car. Also, a 2.0 litre engine uses about 10 per cent more fuel than a 1.5 litre engine

When choosing a new car, consider its impact on your hip pocket and the environment; a car with a difference of 3 litres per 100 kilometres better fuel economy could save you up to $700 in fuel costs (at $1.50 per litre) and over 1 tonne of greenhouse gases a year if you drive an average of 15,000 kilometres a year

Before purchasing a new car investigate on www.greenvhicleguide.gov.au to compare fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution of vehicles

If you live in the city and don’t use your car frequently consider joining a car share scheme - you get access to a car without the cost of owning one. Car share schemes are on the increase, so do a search online, or contact your local council for details to see if there are any in your area

If you live in the city and need a mode of transport to zip around, what about investing in a scooter? Scooters use as little as 2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, they are cheap to run and often free and convenient to park – pop your UBD under the seat!

On hot days this summer, refuel your car in the evening, during a cooler part of the day or when it is overcast, this will help reduce air pollution from petrol evaporation.

Carpooling can also save you money and also time in peak hour traffic with transit lanes in Sydney on Anzac Parade, The Pacific Highway, Spit Road, Epping Road, Victoria Road, Great Western Highway,, Military Road, Windsor Road, Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation and M4 Motorway
Information taken from ‘The Guide to Getting About Green’ developed with the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW.

For more information or review copy requests please contact:
Michael Bernard – The PR Edge
P 03 8416 6821, 0421 988 797
E michael.bernard@che.com.au
Sophie Harley – The PR Edge
P 03 8416 6852, 0403 317 628
E sophie.harley@che.com.au
Lucinda Tippett – Sensis
P 03 8653 5836, 0448 271 123
E lucinda.tippett@sensis.com.au