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Be A Professional
Save the Planet
& Save Money
I know you are fed up about everybody going
on about saving the planet, but it is time everyone took full responsibility
for their actions, especially as it can save you money. Van drivers
cause about 15% of the pollution, not a lot you might think. A gallon
of diesel, whatever the vehicle, euro rating, or size of the engine
produces 11.96 kg of co2 [2.63 kg per litre]
Currently the only way to reduce the amount you are expelling per
journey is to increase the m.p.g. of your vehicle. This can be done
by using simply driving techniques, and can increase your m.p.g.
by as much as 10%. This increases profitability,
and puts more money in your pocket.
1. Accelerate gently, you don’t have to use full throttle
through all the gears, to get a loaded 3.5 tonne van up to the
speed limit. You should listen to, and understand your engine,
and learn to change gear at the right time, smoothly.
2. Braking hard is a sign of poor driving, and a waste of the
extra fuel you have used to put you in the position where you
have to brake hard.
3. You should be reading the road 3 to 400 meters ahead of you;
it is more fuel efficient to take your foot off the accelerator
as soon as you see the possibility that you may have to brake,
than to carry on at the same speed then brake hard.
4. You are driving a van with good long distance forward visibility,
use this advantage to economise, don’t follow behind a vehicle
you can’t see over the top of.
5. Having your tyres at the right pressure can reduce drag and
increase fuel efficiency. If you are in doubt what the correct
pressure should be, check with the tyre manufacturer.
6. Servicing your vehicle regularly is a must for fuel efficiency.
Have it done by a professional garage, using manufactures’
parts; the extra cost can produce better long term results.
7. Finally and most important reduce your speed. This gives you
better economy, and it doesn’t take any longer to get to
your destination. The next time you are on the motorway passing
all these wagons, pick out a couple of distinctive wagons, and
when you are held up in traffic, watch these slower vehicles pass
you in the slow lane. Reducing speed means better fuel economy,
less wear and tear on the engine, gearbox, back axle, and tyres
of your vehicle. Reducing your speed to 60 or 65 m.p.h. is less
stressful, and less tiring. That is in addition to saving you
money and reducing carbon emissions.
Driving defensively is a habit you should cultivate. I have always
adopted the opinion that every other driver on the road is an idiot,
and adapt my driving so that what ever some idiot does wrong, I
can take safe evasive action. Now I know that all other drivers
are not idiots, but, I believe most accidents aren’t accidents,
just poor driving by some drivers.
Driving defensively you learn to read the road ahead correctly,
and the conduct of other drivers. If you see vehicle 10 cars in
front of you swerve a little, common sense should tell you to ease
off the accelerator pedal. Apart from the first car, most of the
other cars won’t have seen the potential accident, and will
only brake when they see the car in front braking.
Driving courteously with due consideration to other road users,
sets an example to other drivers on the road, after all you are
supposed to be a professional driver, set yourself high standards,
and stick to them.
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