I'M TURNING GREEN

Everyone's talking about 'green' issues these days. I'm sure that's a good thing and no sensible thinking person would argue against the principle, but there's usually a cost involved. Retired old bloggers like me are very cost conscious and protective of our limited retirement income. So we tend to like the idea of being green, but hate the expense.

I was therefore interested in an article I saw recently about how to be 'eco-friendly' when diving your car - seems to me that this is a contradiction in terms, but anyway, I read the article.

Now, I don't know about you, but I get thoroughly brassed off when 30-somethings tell us to walk or ride a bike. I enjoy a walk in the country for the pleasure of it and I'll even ride my old bike a bit - but not when I need to go to town or go shopping. There's no way I'm lugging my resuable bags of shopping back home on foot. Sorry, but at my age, I'll take the car (and no, there isn't a bus for miles).

Anyway, back to this article. The really interesting thing about it was that it explained how I could drive in an eco-friendly way that would also save me money - that gets my attention. In essence, it boiled down to Mazda's Smarter Motoring Tips, and I'm sure they won't mind if I reproduce them here:
1. Change up 'early' through the gears, just before the 'peak torque' rpm. (If you don't know what that means, ask a 30-something person).
2. Ease your acceleration and speed.
3. Anticipate to avoid unnecessary braking and stopping.
4. Use the air-conditioning sparingly as it increases fuel consumption.
5. Switch off the engine whenever it is safe to do so.
6. Check tyre pressures regulalry.
7. Remove unnecessary weight from the car.
8. Reduce aerodynamic drag from the car whenever possible, e.g. removing roof racks when not in use.
9. Follow the recommended servicing schedule.

Most of it's common sense I suppose, but it sometimes helps to see it written down.

Best not print this blog - save the trees.

Be well.