‘Efficient driving’ is the theme of a document originally aimed at drivers employed by government organisations but now being directed at the general public by the DGT (Direccion General de Trafico – the government organisation responsible for issuing licences, road safety, etc.).
The ‘Manual de Conduccion Eficiente’, manual of efficient driving, published by the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy tells us that cars consume 15% of the total energy consumed in Spain and that 40% of the total emissions of carbon dioxide which originate from energy consumption come from road transport. The attitude of the driver and their style of driving can not only reduce CO2 emissions but can save money spent on fuel and on general maintenance as well as increasing road safety. Efficient driving can lead to a saving of between 10 and 25 per cent in fuel consumption and a fifteen per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.
The main things to remember in order to drive efficiently are: to check tyre pressure regularly; under pressure tyres can increase fuel consumption by four per cent, use higher gears whenever possible ; try to change up at between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm in petrol cars and between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm in cars with diesel motors, don’t step on the accelerator when starting the motor, turn off the engine if you anticipate being at a standstill for more than sixty seconds, keep your speed down; at 120 kmph you use 30% more fuel than at 90 kmph, only use air conditioning when absolutely necessary but try not to drive with your windows down; use the cars air circulation system instead.
You can read the ‘Manual de Conduccion Eficiente’, in Spanish, at http://www.madrimasd.org/cienciaysociedad/Kioto/documentacion/pdfs/manual_conduccion.pdf
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