Top 5 tips for driving cheaper and greener
Knowing how much your car is costing you to run, and its environmental impact, is the first step to driving cheaper and greener.
Rising costs of living, including fuel prices, are affecting us all. Many of us are also increasingly conscious of our impact on the environment.
Reducing your car's emissions is good for the environment and supports more sustainable transport. A cleaner car will also perform better, increase fuel economy and be cheaper to run.
Here are some tips to help you save money and limit environmental impact when you drive.
1. Service your car regularly
Regular maintenance and servicing will improve your vehicle's fuel-efficiency. This includes making sure your tyres are at the right pressure to reduce drag. You should be able to find your recommended tyre pressure on the driver's side door or in your car manual.
2. Monitor speed and acceleration
Avoiding speeding and reducing unnecessary acceleration and breaking are key to fuel-efficient driving. The best way to do this is to change up through gears as quickly as possible and drive in the highest possible gear for your vehicle within the speed limit. Maintaining an appropriate distance from the car in front will help prevent abrupt braking and needing to accelerate back up to full speed.
3. Plan your journey
Try to avoid driving at busy times, especially longer trips, so you don't waste fuel sitting in peak-hour traffic. If your car has an auto-engine stop or start feature, use this where possible to reduce emissions and fuel use.
Plan your trip ahead for the most efficient route to save on fuel and driving time. Travel light if you can to minimise the weight of your car and reduce fuel consumption.
4. Carpool
Use your car less when you can to reduce fuel consumption and use. Sharing your car with other people making the same trip, like going to work or school, or even on longer trips, is another eco-friendly option.
5. Think about changing your car - if you can
Newer cars are generally more efficient, produce less emissions, and are more environmentally-friendly.
A hybrid electric vehicle or battery electric vehicle are the most eco-friendly options, producing low or no emissions while running.
The Green Vehicle Guide can help you choose your next car and has vehicle guides and simple tools that can help you drive greener and cheaper, including:
- Search and compare tool - compare fuel costs and environmental impacts of your top car choices.
- Fuel and CO2 calculator - calculate total annual fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
- Home charging calculator - estimate electric vehicle charging time and costs.
- Fuel lifecycle emissions - discover a vehicle's emissions over the full fuel cycle.
- Top 20 performers - see the top performing and selling vehicles in Australia.
- Vehicle guides - read information on different types of fuel-efficient vehicles.
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