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Steps to Take |
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Cycle
instead of driving. As well as the environmental benefits, cycling's healthy
and fun. |
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Take
the 2 Mile Challenge! That means if your destination is equal to or less
than 2 miles away, you leave the car in park and make it a walking trip |
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Make
use of the Walking School Bus Scheme if available in your area. If it
is not available, start one up, as they are an energy efficient and non-polluting
alternative to car travel. Also, by walking to school, children gain a
sense of community and independence from their parents in a safe setting,
whilst exercising. |
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Holiday
locally to avoid air travel, or take a ship or train. Aircraft are extremely
expensive in pollution terms, so enjoy the sensation of travelling more
slowly and accept the journey as part of the trip. |
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Join
an organisation such as CityHop instead of buying a second car |
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If
you're considering moving house, think about choosing a location that
minimises how far you and your family need to commute and ensure that
transport options are available ie. bus, train, walking, cycling. |
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Set
concrete goals at home for reducing your travel. |
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Consider
telecommuting and video conferencing as options to reduce the need to
travel - see Telework NZ to get a free cost estimate on the benefits of
teleworking for your organisation. |
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Minimise
your wind resistance, including roof racks, poorly placed spoilers, or
driving with the window open, as this increases fuel consumption, in some
cases by over 20 percent. |
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Keeping
your vehicle well tuned. If your car is emitting any visible smoke or
strong odour have it checked and corrected |
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Keep
your load down: The more weight your vehicle carries, the more fuel it
uses. Remove heavy items from the boot and roof when you're not using
them. An extra 50kg of weight can increase your fuel bill by 2 percent. |
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Look
ahead: maintaining a safe following distance and you'll keep at a more
constant speed. This uses less fuel than constantly accelerating and braking.
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Look
after your car: Keeping your tyres at the right pressure saves fuel, as
does regularly checking the wheel alignment, engine timing, air filter
and spark plugs. |
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Change
through into top gear as quickly as possible without accelerating harder
than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need, wastes fuel; so
does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners. Automatic
transmission will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back
slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum. |
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Don't
speed: By traveling at 100km/h instead of 110kmp/h you can trim around
13% from your fuel bill. |
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Watch
your air con: It as it tends to guzzle up to 10% more fuel than if you
left it off. However, at speeds of over 80 km/h, the use of the air conditioning
is better for fuel consumption than an open window. |
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Limit
idling time: If you're going to be stationary for more than 30 seconds,
switch off your engine |
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Car
pool; Use work notice boards or all-staff e-mails to find others that
live in your area who are interested in car-pooling. You might also have
friends or neighbours who travel in the same direction as you at around
the same times. Ask around. |
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Use
public transport. It's a cheaper way of getting around by the time you
account for fuel and parking costs, it's energy efficient more people
can travel for less fuel consumption and it's less polluting than if everyone
used their cars for every trip |
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Use
bioethanol-blended petrol in your vehicle, to help reduce overall emissions
of carbon dioxide (CO2). Bioethanol-blended petrol can also burn more
cleanly, so it helps improve air quality. Check it comes from materials
that do not damage the environment or reduce food consumption. |
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Avoid travelling by car in peak
hour traffic |
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Try
and combine errands into one trip rather than several trips. |
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Buy
a fuel-efficient, low-polluting car. A smaller car is much more efficient.
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Car
share, with friends and with other travellers |
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The
rear window demister can be a drain so switch them off when you're not
using it. |
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Get
your car serviced regularly. |
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Drive
smoothly and steadily as this reduces the amount of fuel your car uses |
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Be courteous to cyclists. Drive
past them slowly and apply the metre and a half rule. |
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When you fill up your car, don't
fill to the brim. Fuel is often spilt or lost through the overflow pipe
when you accelerate or go around corners. Plus the expansion of the fuel
can result in increased emissions |
