Chapter I - The reduction of consumption and pollution

Ecological driving is the set of behavioural, control or verification measures of the vehicle that lead to the reduction of the fuel consumption, thus protecting the environment.

In other words, ecological driving is a way of driving through which the reduction of the wear of the motor vehicle, the decrease of the fuel consumption and of the level of pollution is pursued.

The drivers can show their respect towards the environment by reducing pollution, implicitly by reducing the fuel consumption.

The reduction of the fuel consumption

The reduction of the fuel consumption implies first of all smaller expenses.

The factors that influence the fuel consumption:

• the heavy traffic, it is recommended that before leaving on the road the route that is to be covered be planned thus avoiding unnecessary roads and areas with intense traffic;
• the air conditioning system, increases the fuel consumption by approximately 20%;
• the tyre pressure, a sufficient pressure saves fuel and extends the life of the tyre, therefore it is recommended to check the tyre pressure at least once a month;
• the travelling speed, the travelling speed must be adapted depending on the road conditions and the sudden accelerations or brakings must be avoided;
• the changing of gears, it is recommended that you change the gears as quickly as possible until you reach the optimal gear, thus the engine will operate more efficiently and will consume less. For petrol engines change into a higher gear immediately as it is possible after the engine exceeds 2000 revolutions per minute;
• waiting with the engine running, when the waiting is done for a longer period it is recommended to stop the engine;
• the overloading of the motor vehicle, keep only the objects that are necessary to you and get rid of those that you no longer need;
• the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle, avoid the accessories that can affect the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle, for example the luggage rack on the roof of the car.

Use correctly the equipment that allows you to check the fuel consumption:

• the consumption indicator;
• the speed limiter;
• the navigation system.

The limitation of the emissions of polluting gases

The pollution of the environment is given by the incomplete and faulty burning of the fuel.

The appearance of the black smoke at both types of engines (petrol or diesel) announces a reduced oxygen content in the engine, meaning a rich mixture, therefore intense pollution.

In the case of both engines the statement is valid that a reduced fuel consumption means a reduced volume of exhaust gases emitted, thus resulting a reduced level of pollution.

In high regimes (high revolutions) or transitory (when accelerating), the mixture is rich therefore the sudden accelerations or the travelling with high speeds is recommended to be avoided, preferring instead the travelling at medium regimes and the early changing of the gears using as much as possible the higher gears, including in the urban area.

As on a planetary scale the greenhouse effect produces an entire chain of disasters, certainly the states will try the restriction of the polluting cars.

For the coming years the researchers recommend the electric cars or those with hydrogen fuel cells that have a pollution level 0.

The reduction of pollution

Practical measures for the reduction of pollution

1. The reduction of the fuel consumption through:
   • a) the construction of economical engines, of small cylinder capacity;
   • b) the decrease of the aerodynamic coefficient of the bodies (Cx);
   • c) the adoption of an economical driving style, that avoids the sudden accelerations;
   • d) the use of tyres with low rolling resistance;
   • e) the development of the road infrastructure that allows the decongestion of the traffic.
2. The use of ecological alternative fuels (biodiesel, ethanol, LPG);
3. The use of antipollution devices (catalysts, particle filters, etc);
4. The promotion of the use of non-polluting and collective means of transport (public transport, bicycles, scooters, etc.);
5. The increasingly accentuated recycling of the materials used for the construction of the motor vehicles.