10 steps to becoming an eco-driver

Eco-driving means driving your car more efficiently. Doing this means your car will produce less carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas contributing to global warming.

Simply follow the steps below and you'll soon be saving money and reducing your car's impact on the environment at the same time.

1. Check your revs — change up before the needle hits 2500rpm in a petrol car or 2000rpm if you drive a diesel.

2. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.

3. Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.

4. The most efficient speed depends upon the car in question, but faster speed will greatly increase fuel consumption.

5. Drive away immediately when starting from cold — idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.

6. Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.

7. Avoid short journeys — a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take eight kilometres to become effective.

8. Plan your journeys to avoid congestion, roadworks and getting lost.

9. Check your tyre pressure regularly: under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to three percent.

10. If you're stuck in a traffic jam, switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.

Courtesy of Energy Saving Trust 2007