Driving a beautiful car is a pleasure, doing it while protecting the environment is even better. If having a car sometimes rhymes with pollution, you can change things by being a responsible driver and protecting the environment.

The best way to save the planet is to practice eco-driving. Here are some tips that will help you drive green.

To achieve this, you need to follow certain driving techniques and adopt certain reflexes when driving your vehicle.

The vehicle:

Your entire commitment to protecting the environment around you depends on the condition of your vehicle.

● Start by maintaining your vehicle properly. Have your filters and engine oil changed regularly with your oil change. By doing this, you will already be helping the environment. Respect the oil change schedule, from 3,000 to 5,000 km. A late oil change creates a loss of engine performance. The smoke increases and the engine is damaged and here’s the pollution.

● Shorten your vehicle trip by calculating the route. If it's a short trip, for example to get bread or to walk your child to school which is just around the corner, opt for a walk or bike. You'll be protecting the environment but also getting some of your daily exercise.

● If you must drive, drive slower even if your vehicle is super powerful. The higher the speed the more your fuel consumption increases and the more carbon dioxide your vehicle emits.

● When stopped, turn off your engine even for a short time, in traffic jams for example. But first, check that your starter is in good condition to avoid any problems. This helps reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

● Drive carefully by keeping the same speed, avoid braking suddenly. Aggressive braking damages the vehicle but also the road and the smell emitted pollutes the air.

● Release any unnecessary load from your vehicle. Unload your vehicle, for example, if you don't have luggage to put in the roof box, remove it. Do not overload your vehicle by taking only what is strictly necessary. An overloaded vehicle consumes more fuel which equals more CO2 emissions.

● Know how to anticipate traffic while planning your route. Leave early to avoid traffic jams, for example. If you have the same routes every day, you know what time the traffic is monstrous. You can also make a small detour instead of following the traffic jam, the idea is to get some fresh air. Use the applications available to you on your smartphone to plan your route.

● Why not carpool. Carpooling has become a very popular form of group transportation. From a short commute to work or a long-distance trip, it's always beneficial. Moreover, if you are the driver this allows you to reduce the costs (fuel, tolls etc. ...) related to the trip. If you are the carpooling passenger, this will save you the fatigue caused by driving and travelling alone. However, always inform your insurer if you intend to carpool to avoid any problem with the insurer in case of an accident. Even for a short trip like going to work, let your insurer know so they can make arrangements for your benefit.

● Wash your vehicle at a gas station or equipped garage. Always being clean helps protect the environment. Over time, your engine will accumulate oil gunk. The body and your chassis have taken on board all the polluting elements they've come across along the way. Only gas stations have the tools to properly clean https://rentugo.com/en/demande-de-financement/your vehicle. They have a place to store this waste and polluted water and can even recycle it. Dry cleaning is also an option that you can do at home or at the station. When cleaning your vehicle, use natural products as much as possible to keep it shiny.

● Remember to check your tire pressure. A vehicle that runs on low-pressure tires uses more fuel.

You have an electric vehicle.

An electric vehicle pollutes the environment less than diesel or gasoline vehicles. It is ideal for ecological and economical driving. A small electric car protects the environment, unlike a sedan for example. The bigger the vehicle, the more it pollutes. Even if you have an electric vehicle at home, think also about the high radiation emitted by electric cars which are harmful to health.

You can read our article on electric cars here to learn more.

The driver

To maximize environmental protection, the driver must choose his vehicle carefully. His responsibility begins when he buys his car. A light or small car that consumes an average of 3 liters per 100 kilometers is recommended. If you are inspired by electric cars, choose small models as well. Only the driver can limit the payload of his vehicle so that it does not overload. He alone is responsible for his vehicle and for knowing the frequency of maintenance. It is also up to the driver to apply the good habits mentioned above.

To drive green, choose your vehicle well and maintain it regularly. This, while driving carefully.