Smarter driving

Tips and advice on how you could get more miles per gallon, as well as information on eco-driving courses.

By making some simple changes to the way you drive, you could reduce the fuel you use and save money.

Smarter driving involves using your gears, acceleration and powers of anticipation to adopt a more fuel-efficient driving style.

As well as reducing your fuel consumption, smarter driving is safer too.

The benefits of smarter driving

Reduce your fuel bills
Cut your carbon emissions
Reduce wear and tear on your vehicle
Enjoy safer and less stressful journeys

Smarter driving courses

Dorset County Council

To help put smarter driving techniques into practice you can book a 90 minute session with one of the advanced driving instructors registered on Dorset County Council's driver development programme.

The fee for these sessions is £37.50.

To book a session, see the Dorset Driver page for a list of instructors in your area.

Wright Driving

wRIGHT DRIVING is offering a half-day course for drivers who want to reduce their fuel costs and emissions. The course is designed for two people, such as friends or relatives, or you
may be teamed up with another individual. For more information, see Eco-driving course (pdf, 49kb) (opens in a new window) .

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

RoSPA'S Eco Driving Course looks at fuel efficient driving and how changing your driving technique can help you save fuel by at least 10%, making a positive difference to the environment and good commercial sense. The course is ideal for anyone who drives for work and is available for all vehicle types. To find out more information, see RoSPA: Eco-driving (opens in a new window) .

Top 10 smarter driving tips

Behind the wheel

1. Drive off from cold - Modern cars are designed to move straight away. Warming up the engine just wastes fuel. Simply drive off gently and smoothly.

2. Check your revs - Change up a gear before 2,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) for petrol engines or 2,000rpm for diesel engines.

3. Drive smoothly - Anticipate road conditions, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking.

4. Step off the accelerator - When slowing down or driving downhill, remain in gear but take your foot off the accelerator. This reduces fuel flow to the engine to virtually zero.

5. Slow down - Driving within the speed limit, as well as being the law, is safer and reduces fuel consumption.

Stuck in traffic

6. Switch it off - Modern cars use virtually no extra fuel when they are re-started without pressing the accelerator. It is recommended that you turn of the engine if you are likely to be stationary for more than 3 minutes.

Smarter preparation

7. Plan ahead - Plan your journeys to avoid congestion and road works, and to make sure you don't waste fuel or time getting lost!

8. Keep it long - Shorter journeys don't allow the engine to warm up enough. A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel. Consider walking or cycling for shorter journeys instead of using your car.

9. Reduce drag/weight - Accessories such as roof racks and bike carriers significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and increases fuel consumption. A heavier car also increases fuel consumption, removing non essential items, such as golf clubs, push chairs and tools can help to increase fuel efficiency.

10. Check tyre pressures - Ensuring your tyres are at the correct pressure can increase fuel efficiency. It is also unsafe to have tyres that are either over or under inflated.

The above tips were provided by the Energy Saving Trust, for more information please visit Energy Saving Trust -Travel (opens in a new window) .