Motorists should be playing their part in reducing vehicle emissions and showing their commitment to the environment as well as vehicle manufacturers, that’s according to CTEK a leading global brand in the care and maintenance of vehicle batteries.
This week has seen vehicle emissions the number one conversation topic all over the UK, with manufacturers under the spotlight following the launch of a European investigation into Volkswagen’s approach to car air pollution tests. But is care air pollution the sole responsibility of the manufacturer or should motorists play their part too?
Vehicle emissions are responsible for 12% of Europe’s carbon emissions and by 2021, all new cars must meet an EU emissions limit of 95 grams of CO2 per km. This weeks revelations demonstrate that some manufacturers still have some way to go to meet this target but there is confidence that this target is achievable. This emissions limit will of course only need to be met when a vehicle leaves the manufacturing facility and during MOT testing. It can increase at all other times if motorists don’t commit to vehicle maintenance and manage their driving style.
Here are some key things that motorists can do to reduce emissions and fuel consumption..
Keep your tyres inflated: under-inflated tyres increase the rolling resistance of your vehicle, which means you’ll be using up to 3% more fuel than you need to. You should check your tyre pressures regularly – at least once every two weeks. Correctly inflated tyres last longer too!
Follow a vehicle service schedule: including steps like checking engine performance, replacing air filters regularly, changing oil regularly and checking your petrol cap.
Don’t over-rev the engine: because over-revving generates emissions. Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up the engine unnecessarily will only waste fuel and increase engine wear.
Utilise start-Stop technology: around 70% of all manufactured vehicles in the UK, regardless of car segment and class, include start-stop functionality because it can reduce emissions significantly.
The operating principle of the start/stop system is as simple as it is efficient: when the vehicle comes to a stop, the engine is automatically switched off and when the vehicle is put into neutral. To drive off again, all you need to do is to activate the clutch or, in the case of vehicles with automatic transmission, take your foot off the brake pedal to restart the engine. So to maintain green credentials, motorists need to ensure (in the case of manual transmission vehicles) they use that neutral position when stationary
Regularly charge the vehicle battery: start-stop batteries must have sufficient energy to restart the engine every time the vehicle is in an idle situation e.g. when the vehicle has stopped at a red traffic light. If the battery doesn’t have sufficient capacity the start/stop function simply won’t kick in.
Peter White from CTEK said “By thinking about how they drive their vehicles and performing basic vehicle maintenance, motorists can do their bit toward reducing emissions and protecting the environment. There is a huge responsibility on manufacturers to address the recent emissions scandal but as motorists we need to do our bit too.”
To help motorists do their bit for the environment, CTEK has developed the CT5 start/stop battery charger that uses patented CTEK technology, to safely charge start-stop vehicle batteries to maximum capacity. The CT5 Start-Stop charger offers a unique approach to battery care, to ensure that start-stop batteries are optimally conditioned, charged and maintained, indefinitely if required. Including a battery charge in routine maintenance on cars can save motorists from costly replacements while improving efficiency of their start-stop vehicle.
