Eco Friendly Safe Driving
Save Fuel Costs with Good Driving Habits

Fuel Saving Tips

Simple changes to the way you drive could save 10 percent on your fuel costs. New cars do not need to be warmed up first thing in the morning. They are designed to start up and go.
By anticipating traffic flow and smooth braking, you not only reduce fuel, but also wear and tear on your tyres and brakes.
Here are a few ways you could save your fuel costs:

1. Change to a higher gear as soon as you can. This lowers engine speed, without reducing road speed.
2. Use deceleration techniques more often before braking. Modern cars use virtually no fuel on deceleration.
3. Maintain a constant speed in as high a gear as possible when it is safe to do so. Driving at a steady speed requires less effort for the engine.
4. Drive a little slower. Keeping to the speed limits makes your fuel go further. For most cars the most efficient speed is 45-50 mph.Driving at 50mph rather than 70mph reduces your fuel consumption by 10%.
5. Switch the engine off if you're stationary for more than a minute. Some modern cars do this automatically now when you select neutral.
6. Keep your tyres properly inflated. Under-inflated tyres not only lead to poor road holding but also cause excessive drag and resistance, increasing fuel consumption. Both over and under-inflated tyres can be dangerous to road holding, so make sure your tyres are at their recommended pressure.
7. Switch off air conditioning. Use air conditioning only in extreme heat conditions. Your engine has to work harder to power the air conditioning system. If driving at low speed, open the windows rather than the conditioning.
8. Close your windows if travelling at 50mph or more. The wind drag on your car of an open window at speeds of 50mph or more adds to your fuel usage. Keep your windows closed at high speeds.
9. Remove roof boxes and racks if not being used. The wind catches these and can increase your fuel consumption considerably.
10. Remove unnecessary items. Driving an unloaded car is more economical than driving one full of tools or unnecessary luggage.

Vehicle efficiency

75% of car drivers are not aware how much CO₂ their car emits. Using more fuel efficient cars reduces operating costs and reduces CO₂ emissions. Find tips on choosing more efficient vehicles, different fuels and where to get information on emissions ratings for new and used cars.

New cars save on fuel costs

What size of car do you really need to go about your daily travels.
Smaller cars tend to be more fuel efficient but there can be large variations between the emissions of cars in the same market category. This means there's no need to compromise on style and features.
Choosing the most efficient car in its class could drive down your annual fuel costs by £435 in Scotland.
Also a more efficient car will cut your road tax costs. Car tax is zero for cars with very low emissions but for cars with high emissions, road tax can cost up to £435 a year for existing cars, or up to £950 for the first year for a new car.

Buying a new car

When choosing a new car it's easy to check out its fuel efficiency. In adverts for new cars, manufacturers are required by law to state figures for each vehicle's fuel efficiency and how much CO₂ it produces.
These rate cars from A (very efficient) to M (not efficient) and are similar to Energy Efficiency labels found on household products and Energy Performance Certificates for buildings. The grade will also tell you how much annual road tax you'll have to pay after the first year, from zero for the cleanest, band A cars up to £435 a year for band M (2010 rates). New cars in bands A-D also enjoy the first year tax free, whilst cars in band M are penalised with a first year rate of £950. The most fuel efficient cars in each class save an average of £125 on their annual road tax. Use our handy Buying an efficient car search tool to find information on fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and road tax bands for new cars.

Vehicle Labels

The UK Fuel Economy Label lets you compare the carbon emissions, fuel costs and vehicle tax for different cars. Using it can help you choose a vehicle that gives off fewer emissions and is more fuel efficient. You can find it on both new and used cars. This picture shows an example of the UK Fuel Economy Label for new cars. This label should be displayed on all new passenger cars being sold. You can see the full label, and read an explanation of it, on the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (Low CVP) website. The label shows:

• how much carbon dioxide a car releases - carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change
• estimated fuel costs for 12,000 miles
• vehicle excise duty (vehicle tax) for 12 months, as well as first year rates

The lower the carbon dioxide emissions are, the lower the vehicle tax will be. Vehicles are rated from A (best) to M (worst).
View Larger Label Image

CO₂

When petrol or diesel is burnt for energy the main by-products are water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Carbon dioxide is the most important of the greenhouse gases which are contributing to climate change. In 6000 miles a car will produce roughly its own weight in CO₂. Unless action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, the whole pattern of the world's weather could change

New driving test

Prepare now for the new test which started on October 4th 2010. An intensive driving course in Birmingham could help get you ready for the new practical test. The new driving test has a 10 minute section called Independent Driving. Eco friendly driving is now part of the test as well.
Pupils taking their test are now being marked on smooth braking ans efficient gear changes. Read more and watch the video....

Weekend courses

If you find it difficult to get a week off work, then why not try a weekend driving course. You can book either a Saturday or Sunday, or both, without any long term commitment. These courses are ideal as top ups for weekly lessons, or to give you a boost just before a driving test.
New drivers are especially welcome as a weekend of lessons could get your motoring career off to a great start. Weekend Courses  »»

New driver weekend courses

New drivers (beginners) are advised to start their driver training by having as many driving lessons as they can over a short period of time. This will help re-inforce the correct procedures for driving away fom the kerb, parking, gear changing & road procedures. A theory test pass is not required for this type of course. An intensive driving course for new drivers is not intended to get you through your test in a week. Those days have long since gone and if you see any websites out there that say any different, then treat them with suspician. You will learn to drive in a week, but you will not be ready for your driving test.
New driver courses  »»»
New driver weekend lessons  »»»

Previous driving lessons experience

Learner drivers with previous driving experience can sometimes book their driving test at the end of their driving course depending on what previous experience they have had and how long ago.
Your driving lessons may have been sometime ago & taken with a great driving instructor or one of the not so greats. You may have taken a driving test or two or had over 100 driving lessons of poor quality either yours through lack of concentration or your driving instructors lack of attention to your training. Either way, you might be best to book a trial lesson with me before you book your driving test. A trial lesson is not required to book your course unless a driving test is required at the end of your course. Learner drivers with a good driving record of training might only need to book one of the weekend courses.
Intensive courses for experienced learner drivers  »»»