Ten Easy to Implement Eco-Friendly Driving Tips

Writen by Robin Piggott

There are many ways to conserve energy and save money when driving. We are primarily concerned with getting a better fuel consumption from each tankful of gas. By implementing a series of simple but very effective techniques we gain several less obvious but equally important benefits. Longer life for our engine…and less emissions into the atmosphere, to name but two.

(1) Let’s start with my favourite subject…Tyres. Under inflated Tyres enjoy a greater friction with the road leading to greater gas usage for each kilometre travelled. As well as this they wear out much more rapidly, give a rougher ride, particularly on Irish rural roads. Over inflated tyres also wear out rapidly and unevenly leading to more frequent replacement. Good for the tyre shop but not for you! Oh yes a soft tyre will pick up foreign bodies much more easily, leading to further replacement and expense.

(2) An untrained Right Foot is a leading cause of excessive expenditure during all driving activity. Accelerating too hard, braking too hard, and driving too fast in general all contribute to excessive fuel usage and the corresponding increase in noxious emissions. Of course heavy braking has another disadvantage …that of making it so much easier for the Driver who is much too close behind to rear-end you!

(3) The speed for optimum fuel consumption has been recognised over the years to be 55mph or approximately 90kph. As you increase your speed above this level your fuel consumption increases dramatically. The difference in journey times when you reduce your overall top speed by just a few kilometres an hour is minimal but the savings can be impressive.

(4) A poorly tuned engine will also use an excessive amount of fuel so the money spent on proper professional servicing will repay you in the end although at the time it may seem expensive.

(5) Learning to read and understand your Rev Counter will enable you to spot an out of tune engine very easily and do something about it without delay. A tick over engine speed of just 100 rpm more than it should be will increase your fuel consumption on an ongoing basis.

(6) Open windows and sun roofs contribute to drag and an increase in fuel consumption but clearly you can’t drive safely if you are about to expire from heat exhaustion. Thankfully not something we experience too often here in Ireland. However a car that has been parked in the full glare of the sun for a few hours will be rather uncomfortable unless you get some cooler air flowing.

(7) Carrying piles of rubbish in either the cab or the boot of your car will increase your fuel consumption steadily over time so give your boot a make over every so often and clear it out of all but the essentials.

(8) One more point about tyres. If you are carrying extra passengers and luggage, even for a short journey you should increase the tyre pressures. This will give a smoother, safer ride for all concerned and avoid excessive tyre wear. This latter point is particularly relevant if you are planning on rural driving since you will have to deal with an especially Irish phenomenon, that of potholes. Sometimes these are as big as a garden pond and will damage your underside easily, not to mention the ecological impact of disturbing the resident fish, frogs and other amphibians.

(9) Since we seem to be constantly exposed throughout the country to major road works, which is an admirable activity from a safety perspective, you should always switch off your engine if there is going to be more than a minor delay. Sitting for several minutes with the engine running wastes a lot of fuel and puts more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere than need be.

(10) Here is a very useful technique in relation to down shifting. It is not necessary to go through all the gears when preparing for a lower speed turn or manoeuvre. It is quite acceptable to go from fourth gear straight to second gear even from fifth to second prior to a turn. It takes a little practise to get the timing absolutely right but is well worth the effort. You will not need to use the brakes so much providing you plan your gear change well, after allowing the car to slow by coming off the gas pedal. Remember every second that the right foot is pressing the gas pedal is burning fuel.

In the U.K from next year (2007) Eco- friendly Driving Techniques will be assessed and monitored on the Driving Test. It is interesting that excellent, safe and economic driving Techniques which will be taught by experienced Instructors to all their Pupils invariably end up being incorporated into Driving Test assessments eventually!

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Volvo V40: Holding Up to Volvo Values

Writen by Khevin Anderson

This brand name and automobile manufacturer’s name means “I roll” in Latin, and yes, it refers to Volvo. Volvo has been in the automotive industry for over seventy five years already and each and every design of Volvo vehicles has been guided by the company’s concern for the well-being of people, as well as their safety. And through the years, this commitment to safety and well-being has grown and developed into Volvo’s three core values which are safety, quality, and environmental care. With these Volvo core values intact and certainly made clear, Volvo approaches product development, design, and vehicle production with these core values in mind. This assures and guarantees owners of Volvo vehicles that the vehicle would be worth their while as well as they could be considered to be money worth spent.

One of the vehicles bearing the Volvo name, as well as the three Volvo core values, is the Volvo V40 which has been considered and measured to be the one of the safest wagons in its own class. This is all due to the included safety features for this vehicle that comprises of the Whiplash Protection Seating System (which is also known as WHIPS), the Side Impact Protection System (also dubbed as SIPS), and the Inflatable Curtains. These safety features have all become standard and not given as an option. Also, the other features that have been included for the Volvo V40 are ABS brakes, traction control, and dual-stage airbags.

The Volvo V40 holds two engine options which are the 1.8 liter and the 2.0 liter DOHC engine which has four cylinder motors. The Volvo V40 has a fuel consumption of around 9.3 liter per 100 kilometers during city driving and an averaged 6.0 liters per 100 kilometers for driving in the highway.

The last year for the Volvo V40 series was 2004. This had two trim levels which included the S40 sedan and the V40 wagon. Each of these is an entry-level model. The interior for the Volvo V40 sports a long roof and it definitely does not look like or feel like a traditional wagon. Also, space is something that the Volvo V40 has given quite grandly for the interior of this vehicle has great space. The cabin can take up a maximum passenger capacity of five people. Reviews have it that the interior of the Volvo V40 is both secure and comfortable. All of the trim levels made available feature the much coveted air conditioning, an automatic climate control, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, a remote keyless entry system, and an AM/FM/CD player.

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The Classic BMW 1600

Writen by Jenny McLane

What makes a BMW stand out from the rest of the crowd? Innovative engineering, excellent performance, and high technology, that is. For each BMW is made to carry out these characteristics. Each part and detail has been specifically designed and crafted so as to provide excellent power and performance that would add up to the total pleasure in the BMW driving experience. It could be seen that through the years, the BMW has proven itself again and again. It certainly is one of the best cars around. It is the Ultimate Driving Machine.

To have a BMW vehicle is synonymous to having the feeling of pride and awe. Pride because a person owns one of the topnotch vehicles in town and awe for a person cannot just get over the power and performance that BMW vehicles bring with it. Dynamism is something that BMW vehicles exude. Everything is moved and transformed to a higher level. The BMW responds. It knows how to follow its driver’s commands and instructions. This vehicle serves and maintains its ultimate purpose and never fails to deliver.

BMW is passion. Everything has been carefully selected. Every little part and every little nook has a purpose. It is more than just a car. It is innovation, safety, and execution. The design for this vehicle brand is timeless and very distinct. Classic it may seem, however it is what makes BMWs unique. It does not conform to the latest fads and thrills. It is comfortable with its individuality and with itself. The classic details for this vehicle include the twin kidney grilles and four headlights. These have become the classic BMW look. Classic as it may seem, innovations are not withheld so as to provide each and every BMW owner and user an exhilarating driving experience.

One of the vehicles that hold the classic BMW touch is the BMW 1600. It emanates an aura of sophistication and class, elegance and magnificence. This vehicle holds a water-cooled four-cylinder engine that can hold a displacement of 1,573 cc. The BMW 1600 has a four speed manual transmission, a steering worm and roller, as well as coil springs suspensions for the front and the rear. The BMW 1600 has a wheelbase of 100.4 inches, disc brakes for the front and rear, and can take up a maximum speed of 96 mph. The engine of the BMW 1600 has been considered to be quite weak. However, this does not affect and does not pose to be a problem for people who are inclined to being vintage racer enthusiasts. The vehicle is a great one for it can be upgraded for stronger brakes even without power assist.

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