In a world where the ownership and use of private vehicles is linked to personal freedom and transport purposes, where the modern cars are more efficient than ever, where manufacturers are facing increasingly stringent environmental legislation, where there is still room for improvement closing the gap between real-world and laboratory emissions, vehicle drivers contribution can still play role in the mitigation of the vehicle air pollutant emissions. Each one can contribute to the air quality and therefore quality of life, by just making the difference. There are certain factors affecting the emission performance of a modern vehicle that cannot be controlled by the driver, but other factors can be influenced. Five golden rules are outlined below:

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 Make a ‘fit-for-purpose purchase’

Select a vehicle which best meets your needs for mobility. Make sure that next to total costs, fuel consumption and emissions remain high on your list things to consider when making a decision.

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 Avoid short trips

When not necessary, short trips should be avoided, especially after long parking events. A cold engine and emissions control devices emit very high levels of pollutants and it will take some time to reach normal operating temperatures.

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 Avoid very low and very high speeds

Driving at steady speed is ideal, however, it is not always possible. When stuck in traffic avoid idling by engaging the stop-start system (where applicable) or by manually turning off the engine. On the motorway aim for cruising at 70-100 km/h and avoid higher speeds.

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 Ensure proper maintenance

Regular and proper maintenance according to the service schedule will extend the life of your vehicle, will ensure vehicle safety, fuel economy and low emissions. Don’t remove any original component from your vehicle, especially related to emissions control. It may result in excessive emissions; also remember that tampering is illegal.

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 Always think eco-friendly

Adopt a smooth driving style in all cases. Change gears early, avoid too many accelerations and decelerations. Select the appropriate driving mode in accordance with the specific road conditions. Make use of additional electrical systems only when necessary. Remove any external equipment such as roof racks and trailers after use.