Green Driving Week a Big Hit with Footprints Family
During Green Driving Week, Clare joined slightly nervous staff at North West Leicestershire District Council as they set off on a driving session with Energy Saving Trust instructors. The aim of the 50 minute individual session was to find out how fuel efficiently they drove and to learn how to improve on this.
Each driver set off on a short set route driving normally (and feeling as though they were going on their driving test). On return the instructor noted the average speed of the trip as well as the number of miles per gallon achieved. They were then provided with around five simple tips to remember when driving and set off to drive the same route but trying to drive more fuel efficiently. At the end of the route their average speed and miles per gallon were noted once again.
Over to Clare..
I was really nervous and getting behind the wheel with the instructor was like going for driving lessons all over again! It was nerve wracking but really good and the tips I learned were really simple ones.
I drove a 3.8 mile circuit, mainly through 30 mph zones and the first time I got 36.7 miles per gallon. The second time I drove the same route I managed to increase this to 46.1 miles per gallon - about a 25% increase in fuel efficiency. The person who did the session before me also improved by 25% and I think the best improvement was 30%. I heard that someone achieved 53 mpg, which is pretty impressive and apparently they also increased their speed by 2 mph. Work that one out!
I was amazed and would give this session 11/10. I'd really like Phil to do this as he has to drive a lot for his job. If we could both drive like this we'd be much greener but would also save about a quarter on fuel bills.
What did I learn?
- Let the car do the work. You don't need to be constantly braking and accelerating.
- Change gears earlier than I would normally do. In the diesel car I was driving I changed up at about 1500 rpm on flat sections of the road. In a petrol car it would be around 2000-2500 rpm. It took some getting used to but by the end of the session I was really getting into it.
- Try and drive as though you don't want to stop... as in keep the car moving as much as possible, especially at roundabouts and traffic lights. But it's definitely a case of Safety 1st and Eco 2nd, but that goes without saying.
- So you end up anticipating things better, taking your foot off the accelerator more and not using the brakes as much. It actually makes you feel more relaxed too.
- You can go into 5th gear in a 30 mph zone - would never have thought of that.
- I can save lots of money as well as being green!
