If you must drive

Cut down on short trips. Cold engines use about 40% more fuel and create more emissions per kilometre. Catalytic converters, which reduce some types of emissions, work only when warmed up. Walk to the dairy or, if it can wait, combine chores into one longer car trip.

Tune your car engine regularly. Every six months is good. Un-tuned engines use more fuel and create more emissions. As well as doing your bit for air quality, you’ll save yourself money. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) estimates that keeping your engine tuned could easily help you cut 5% off your annual fuel bill. Air filters particularly need regular checking – a clogged filter could increase consumption by 10%. Also, keep the tyres at the right pressure.

Choose the right vehicle for the job. If you own two vehicles, use the more efficient one whenever possible. Save that thirsty 4WD for towing the boat or going skiing.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, make sure you choose one that’s the right size for your needs. Generally speaking, the heavier a car, the more fuel it will consume. Automatic cars are less efficient than manuals. Go to the Energywise website for tips on choosing.

Or consider one of the cleaner-burning, more fuel-efficient hybrids. Hybrid vehicles combine a conventional petrol-fuelled internal combustion engine with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. Hybrids combine the performance you’d expect of a conventional car with up to twice the fuel economy. In New Zealand, Honda offers the Civic Hybrid and Toyota has the Prius. Go to the Honda website or the Toyota website.

Hybrids are increasingly popular overseas and other manufacturers are likely to introduce models soon.

Plan. If you’re going somewhere new, check the map first to save time and fuel

Avoid peak hour traffic and stop-start traffic. Listen to traffic reports so you can avoid traffic congestion or road works.

Drive more smoothly. Rapid acceleration causes more air pollution and uses more fuel.

• Make sure you accelerate smoothly. Change gear early, but don’t labour the engine. If you drive an automatic, choose ‘economy’ gear switching
• Don’t speed. By travelling at 100km/h instead of 110km/h you can cut around 13% off your fuel bill.
• Keeping your speed as constant as you can uses less fuel than accelerating and braking all the time. Look and plan ahead and always maintain a safe following distance
• Only use the air conditioning when absolutely necessary – it can add up to 10% to your fuel consumption. So can accessories like the rear window demist, so switch them off when you don’t need them
• Travel light. Heavier vehicles mean more drag, so take the golf clubs out of the boot after the game and remove the roof rack or bike rack when you’re not using it
• If you’re going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, switch the engine off.