'Eco driving' can make even smart cars smarter

smart has unveiled a new green driving initiative called “smart eco driving.” The initiative was announced alongside the launch of the smart fortwo cdi, the lowest-CO2 -emitting car in production.

smart eco driving aims to encourage drivers to adopt smarter driving techniques via a tutorial showing them how they can save money and cut back on CO2 emissions. Green driving courses will also be available from Mercedes-Benz World later this summer.

As part of the programme, motorists will be able to book a theory lesson to learn tips on how to effectively reduce both fuel consumption and emissions, as well as practical tuition with a professional eco-driving instructor where the techniques can be put into practice.

“The smart cdi is the greenest car on the road, but a smart driving tutorial can still help save money and CO2 emissions,” said smart eco-driving expert Mick Linford. “With fuel prices rising, applying a smart approach to driving has obvious economic benefits, whatever car you are driving, and by learning how to get more out of a tank of fuel, motorists can make a difference to both their pocket and the environment.”

“smart eco driving is something that all drivers can adopt to make a real difference to the amount CO2 they emit and the fuel they consume,” added Dermot Kelly, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “If every driver on the road follows these simple techniques, we will together reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent.”

At the centre of the smart driving initiative are the G A S principals, three easy-to-remember steps that can help a typical driver save between 15 – 20 per cent on fuel and emissions:

• Gears – stay in as high a gear as you can, for as much of your journey as possible
• Anticipation – look well ahead and adapt your speed to what is happening in the distance
• Smooth Driving – accelerate and brake as little as possible to maintain momentum, thus saving fuel

Additional smart driving tips include:

• Reduce driving speeds by 10mph where safe to – higher speeds use more fuel
• Regularly check tyre pressure – under-inflated tyres use more fuel and need replacing more regularly
• Air conditioning uses fuel so turn it off and open the window a fraction – ideally no more than 10 per cent as full open windows can create drag
• Turn the engine off if stationary for more than 10 seconds – smart’s mhd system does this automatically
• Cruise control can help minimise inadvertent variations in throttle
• Reduce loads – clear the boot  of unnecessary junk
• Regularly check air and fuel filters, as well as spark plugs – clogged filters can reduce efficiency
• Roof racks increase drag – take them off when not in use
• Use the MPG indicator (trip computer) so you’re always aware of how much fuel has been used
• Plan journeys well in advance and try to avoid times that will be congested
• Eco driving lessons will be available from Mercedes-Benz World later this year.
• The smart range of cars starts from £8,272.87 and is available through the Mercedes-Benz retail network. To find out more about the new smart fortwo cdi visit: www.smart.com

The new diesel model from smart, the smart fortwo cdi, boasts the lowest CO2 emissions of any production car currently on the road, at just 88grams per kilometre. It delivers 85.66 mpg across urban and country driving conditions.

The smart fortwo micro-hybrid drive (mhd) features a user-friendly automatic stop/start system, switching off the engine when the car is not in motion, and restarting again when the brake pedal is released. At speeds of less than 5 mph, no petrol is used and no exhaust fumes are emitted, reducing CO2 emissions to 103 grams per kilometre, and cutting fuel consumption by an average of 9 per cent.

The smart fortwo electric drive is currently undergoing an exclusive UK market trial. Kind on the environment, the smart fortwo electric drive emits no carbon dioxide or any harmful substances, and has the ability to cover up to 70 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of 60 mph.

Last month, eco-driving expert Mick Linford applied the smart driving tips to a smart fortwo cdi as part of a Brighton-to-London drive, achieving a mileage of 109.9 mpg on the route (compared to the standard return of 85.6 mpg).