How to Lower Car Emissions and Save Money on Fuel

With the effects of inflation and price increases sweeping the country, people are starting to count their pennies. Of course, for many of us, we’re spending a lot of money at the petrol pump. So, how do we save money on vehicle expenses when most of us always need our cars to travel anywhere? We’ve collected some top tips below on lowering car emissions to help you cut back:

Reduce unnecessary car journeys

Starting with the most obvious tip on this list: Obviously, the less you use your car, the less you have to spend on petrol, providing that you’re not leaving your car on your drive for long enough to make your battery go flat. In an increasingly environmentally conscious world on tight budgets, if you can avoid using your car, do. If you need to make a journey, plan where to go beforehand, when possible, to save multiple trips.

Reduce engine idling

Those who live or work in areas with high congestion levels will be all too familiar with the idle engine running while you’re stuck in traffic for several minutes. However, the RAC says that idling for just 10 seconds generates more emissions and uses more fuel than restarting your car – so think about turning that engine off!

Get an oil change

Engine oil cleans, cools, and lubricates your car, preventing damage and wear. However, regularly changing it is something many drivers often need to remember to do. Unchanged engine oil can result in your vehicle running inefficiently, increasing emissions, and potentially leading to your car breaking down. Make sure that you check the specific oil needs for your vehicle and that you are using the correct grade of oil. It may be easy to overlook, but remember, regularly changing your oil is an investment in the future for your car and your bank account.

Use a cleaning agent

Similarly, adding a cleaning agent to our fuel is a relatively simple job that can help to stop emissions build-up in your car and improve its efficiency as your car ages. Alternatively, you can buy a premium fuel that already contains the required additives, though this is more expensive and may only sometimes be available at your local filling station.

Remember to change your air filter

Changing your air filter is another minor job that can help you save in the long term. However, if you drive more, your air filter will need to be changed regularly, particularly if you drive in areas with higher emissions levels. A clogged air filter restricts engine airflow, preventing it from operating at peak performance, allowing deposits to build up faster, and increasing emissions. As a result, an air filter left unchanged could damage your car.  

Hopefully, these tips will help you save money on motoring costs and to help you extend the life of your vehicle. If, however, you find that your car is beyond saving, why not check out our extensive range of used cars for sale.