Ford Advises Fathers with Tips for Greener Drive

Ford chose to mark Fathers Day with a set of guidelines fathers can follow to make the world a greener place for their children by driving in a more sustainable manner. Ford is one of the automotive companies that has consistently done its best to contribute to a sustainable environment by making greener and more fuel-efficient cars.

Here are Ford’s tips for dads that can apply to everyone on the road.

On the road

• Use vehicles with engines like the EcoBoost that are technologically advanced and facilitate higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Using such vehicles will mean that motorists will be able to drive more sustainably without any compromise in performance.

• It is always advisable to keep the autostop function active. This helps to save petrol and reduces CO2 emissions. Carbon emissions come under the fold of “greenhouse gases” which cause global warming.

• Driving more aggressively consumes more fuel. Practicing safe driving has a beneficial effect on your pocket and on the environment.

• Dispose off litter in a responsible manner. Rubbish like half smoked cigarettes and plastic covers not only spoil the natural beauty of the environment but can also cause harm to animals and birds.

Off-road

Venturing off-road comes with huge responsibility. By heading off the beaten track you have the potential to damage the surrounding environment, including flora and fauna.

• When driving on softer surfaces like loose sand, always deflate tires to the rcommended level in order to increase the contact patch and assist with flotation. This will help the tire to rise faster to the top of the sand instead of getting bogged down.

• Always drive on established tracks. Never create new routes or tracks as this damages the sensitive ecology of the environment you are exploring.

• The rule for off-road driving is to tackle each surface as slowly as possible, and as fast as necessary. Driving over an obstacle slowly minimises the vehicle’s impact on the terrain, and ensures that there is a reduced risk of damage to the vehicle and occupants. Certain terrains, such as soft sand, do require a bit of momentum and an extra dose of speed may be required in order to get through. Use only as much speed as is necessary however, and always be mindful of what is on the other side. Keep an eye out for nesting birds or animals. It is always advisable to check what is on the other side before venturing over a difficult patch.

• When using a 4×4 vehicle, like a Ford Ranger, it would be better to use the four-wheel drive option as soon as you leave regular roads for better distribution of power between the front and rear wheels, greater grip on slippery surfaces, higher level of  driving safety and less impact on the environment. Do not forget to change back to regular mode when returning to the road.

• Drivers are advised to use low-range 4×4 mode for off-road travel. This helps to minimize speed and transfer greater amount of torque to the drive wheels, thus giving motorists greater control, and reducing chances of impact with stones and debris. Greater control over the accelerator will help motorists reduce damage to the terrain through the excessive wheel spin and damage to the surface of the terrain.