| Don’t pump your cash away |
|
|
|
| Thursday, 10 July 2008 | |
 AS FUEL prices continue to soar it’s time for motorists to start thinking about ways to get the most out of every tank of petrol.Regardless of your choice of vehicle, there are techniques you can use to save fuel and at the same time minimise your impact on the environment. Some of these techniques are part of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) course, which has delivered eco-benefits through fuel efficiency methods since it was established in 1956. Here’s a few of their money saving tips: l Think before you start: Ask yourself if you really need to drive before you jump in the car. Short journeys that are less than two miles cause the most pollution and are inefficient in terms of fuel consumption. A straining cold engine will produce 60 per cent more pollution than a warm one. Walk or cycle where possible instead. l Plan your route: Take the most direct route and go at off-peak times if possible to save fuel and time. Sitting in congestion means you are often doing zero miles per litre. Consider car sharing, park and ride schemes or public transport. l Have your vehicle serviced: Inefficient, under-serviced engines can reduce fuel economy by 10 per cent or more. Catalytic converters are environmentally friendly - but only if they are properly maintained. l Check your tyres: Correct tyre pressures reduce wear and help fuel economy. Under-inflated tyres need replacing more often (itself an environmental problem) as well as being dangerous. Make a point of checking them at least once a week. l Obey the speed limits: Try to ‘feather’ the throttle when you reach your cruising speed. Doing 56mph uses 25 per cent less fuel than 70mph and a smoother driving style can bring significant fuel saving. l Reduce the drag factor: Remove roof racks and carriers when they’re not in use as well as unnecessary boot luggage and heavy accessories. Driving with the window open and using air conditioning increases drag and lowers fuel economy, so use the vent settings instead. l Use ‘accelerator sense’: Save fuel by planning ahead and reading the traffic in advance to gently join a queue rather than braking suddenly as you hit traffic. l Reverse when you park: The engine will be cold and at its most fuel inefficient when you start it. If you can drive away without having to reverse when the engine is cold, you will save fuel and have better visibility. l Watch your levels: If you fill your fuel tank up to the brim, you may be carrying around additional fuel which in turn means that you have more weight on board than is necessary and this will itself reduce fuel efficiency. l Shop around: The price of petrol can vary by as much as 10c a litre. Find out where the best deals are in your area. l Drive in the highest gear. Driving at high speeds in low gears can result in 45 per cent more fuel being consumed than needed. l Don’t drive erratically: Constantly accelerating and braking consumes more fuel than smoother driving. For peak efficiency don’t push the accelerator down further than one-quarter of the total foot travel. |
| Residents angered by sewage overflow Thursday, 28 August 2008RESIDENTS on a Donaghmede road have expressed anger with their local authority after a sewer... + Full Story | Vital elderly service is under threat Thursday, 28 August 2008A DAY-CARE facility for the elderly in Finglas is in danger of shutting down because of the level... + Full Story |
| Dog owners bite back at council Thursday, 28 August 2008NORTHSIDE dog owners living in Dublin City Council homes will take to the streets in the coming... + Full Story | Locals rejoice as statue returns Thursday, 28 August 2008RESIDENTS in Coolock were rejoicing last week when a statue of the Virgin Mary that was stolen from... + Full Story |
| Reward offered for Swords attack information Thursday, 28 August 2008A REWARD of e10,000 is being offered to anyone who can provide information about the horrific... + Full Story | BIN TAGS will soon become a thing of the past for residents in the South Dublin County Council area Thursday, 28 August 2008Concerns have been expressed about a proposal by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to... + Full Story |
| Council introduces new bin system in South Dublin Thursday, 28 August 2008BIN TAGS will soon become a thing of the past for residents in the South Dublin County Council area... + Full Story | Concern over Dublin Bay gas proposal Thursday, 28 August 2008Millions of tonnes of natural gas and carbon dioxide should not be stored off Dublin Bay, it was... + Full Story |
| Northside armed raids continue to spiral Thursday, 28 August 2008
VICIOUS thugs carried out a violent raid on a Northside business last week leaving staff and... + Full Story | Minister hits back following flooding criticism Thursday, 28 August 2008MINISTER for the Environment, John Gormley, has hit back at criticisms from a local TD in relation... + Full Story |
More Articles
| |
- Latest News
- Residents angered by sewage overflow
- Vital elderly service is under threat
- Dog owners bite back at council
- Locals rejoice as statue returns
- Reward offered for Swords attack information
- BIN TAGS will soon become a thing of the past for residents in the South Dublin County Council area
- Council introduces new bin system in South Dublin
- Concern over Dublin Bay gas proposal
Island Banners
Navigation Menu
| Home |
| About Us |
| News |
| Private Ads |
| Classifieds |
| Advertising Rates |
| Distribution |
| Web Design |
| Online Advertising |
| Contacts |
Website Poll
Advertise
Advertise Online with the Dublin People. Great rates available. Click Here
Private Ads Login
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Dublin People. Terms and Conditions
North Dublin Publications, 80-83 Omni Park, Santry, Dublin 9. Phone 8621611 | Fax 8621625/6
Developed by Kevin Flynn
North Dublin Publications, 80-83 Omni Park, Santry, Dublin 9. Phone 8621611 | Fax 8621625/6
Developed by Kevin Flynn