Ways you can be environmentally friendly in your car buying choices

Buying a new or second-hand car is an exciting experience for car buyers and if you do your research prior to purchase you can make it a smooth process where you will have confidence that you have made the right decision for you.

The majority of new/ newer cars are listed in the A and B category for CO2 levels meaning their road tax is greatly reduced, and they are more environmentally friendly and economical to drive in comparison to older models. This means a mix of new technologies which includes Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid and Electric vehicles.

Not everyone will have access to a new/ newer car so even if you are driving or buying an older vehicle you can still do your part to be more environmentally friendly.

Reducing your car’s emissions is good for the environment and a cleaner car will also offer better performance, increased fuel economy and be cheaper to run. Also ensure your vehicle is maintained and serviced at regular intervals.

There are several things you can do to help reduce your driving emissions.

• Check your tyre pressure- Using the correct tyre pressure (in accordance with manufacturer recommendations) can reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The tyre inflation pressures should be checked frequently in line with manufacturer’s recommendations. The tyre pressure recommendations can be found in your car user manual, inside the car’s fuel cover and inside your car door.

• Change oil and air filter-The engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It is important to check your oil and follow manufacturers guidelines. The oil should be changed at regular intervals as per guidelines to keep your car running at optimum efficiency. Airflow to the engine is reduced when an air filter is clogged up, deposits can build up, causing premature wear and tear. Consult the recommended service intervals for the best to change the filter.

• Driving style-Changing your driving style can have an impact on your vehicle’s emissions. Making an effort to change gear earlier, avoid unnecessary revving and harsh breaking are some small changes that can also help reduce vehicle wear and tear.

• Reduce idle time-Idle time is when a vehicle is left running while stationed or stuck in traffic. Switching off your engine when the car is parked can use less fuel. If your car has a stopstart system, make sure it is switched on.

• Aerodynamic efficiency- Consider removing unnecessary weight fitted on your vehicle (roof rack, bike carrier etc) when not in use, as these create a resistance or drag effect which increases vehicle emissions. By removing these items when not in use can also help to reduce fuel consumption.

• Air Conditioning System-The engine works harder using the air conditioning, increasing the vehicle emissions. A few kilometers before you reach your destination, turn off the air conditioning as the system will still continue to allow cool air to circulate via the fans. Using the vehicles climate control system may be more fuel efficient, as opening a car window creates a drag on the vehicle increasing fuel consumption and emissions.

• Cleaning Agent-Using a cleaning agent in your vehicle’s fuel system helps reduce any harmful deposits that can build up in the vehicle’s engine overtime. This process can lesson deposits and lower emissions. Many diesel cars registered after September 2015 use Ad-Blue to reduce emissions. Ad-Blue is the trade name for a type of diesel exhaust fluid which breaks Nox in exhaust gases down into harmless elements before it’s expelled from the car.

• Choice of car – the choice of car you drive will be important. Generally speaking, a newer car will have lower emissions than an older car. So, by trading up to a new or newer car than you currently drive can reduce your emissions and also reduce your running costs.