Catalytic Convertors

Catalytic convertors purify harmful substances from exhaust fumes and reduce hazardous emissions. The catalytic convertor converts 80-95 % of the harmful substances into carbon dioxide and water, which means that emissions of carbon dioxide are not reduced. This is a problem that can currently only be solved through reduced fuel consumption.

The catalytic convertor only works when it has reached its working temperature. During cold starts and short journeys, exhaust fumes will therefore not be purified and the emission of hazardous substances will be significantly increased. Once the catalytic convertor has reached its working temperature, it can heat up to 600 degrees.

Engine Block Heater

Cold engines use more fuel than warm ones. Cold starting therefore entails increased fuel consumption and greater emissions. Engine block heaters are a solution to this problem. Engine block heaters are used at temperatures lower than 15 degrees and heat up the engine electrically before ignition.

Engine block heaters should not be connected for too long before ignition as they will then use electricity unnecessarily. Use the table below to work out how long before ignition it should be connected. Use a timer.

Engine block heater times

-15 °C - 90 min

0 °C - 60 min

10 °C - 30 min

Tires

HA oils

Tires contain substances which are hazardous to the environment and which are released into nature as the tires become worn. Many older tires contain HA oils (high-aromatic oils) which are carcinogenic and not easily broken down in nature. To reduce our environmental impact, we should therefore use tires that do not contain toxic oils, such as tires marked with the Nordic Swan Eco- Label.

Rolling resistance

When choosing your tires, you should try and select the tires with the lowest rolling resistance. Tires which roll more easily can reduce fuel consumption by around 3-5 %.

Air pressure

To reduce fuel consumption, it is important that you regularly check the air pressure in your tires. Too low air pressure leads to increased fuel consumption and impaired road conditions.

Equipment that increases fuel consumption:

• Roof boxes increase the car’s air resistance and therefore increase fuel consumption as well.

• Trailers and unnecessary loads make the car heavier and this increases fuel consumption.
• Air conditioning, by around 5–10%.
• Four wheel drive, by about 5% compared with two-wheel drive.
• Automatic transmission, by around 0–20%.
• Large engines often use more fuel.

Washing Your Car

Car care products used to wash your car should not be rinsed off in areas where the water flows directly into drains or down into the ground as this can be harmful for the environment. Drains are in place to lead rain water to the nearest watercourse and they do not remove chemicals from the water. It is therefore best to wash your car in a place where the water runs into drains that are equipped with oil separators, such as Clean-It-Yourself car wash facilities.

From an environmental point of view, it is a good idea to wax your car as well. If you wax your car, dust will not stick to it as easily and you will not need to wash it as often.