Choke the Smoke - Campaign Details

Last updated on 24/11/2009 12:08 p.m. 

Choke the Smoke Logo

The Ministry of Transport's Choke the Smoke campaign began in August 2006 and ran until July 2008.

Phase One

Phase one looked at the effects of vehicle emissions on health and the environment, and the introduction from 27 October 2006 of the visible smoke check as part of your warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness test. Phase two focused on fuel economy and climate change. The campaign encouraged people to go on the 'low carbon diet'. 

Phase Two

Phase two of the Choke the Smoke campaign launched on 4 March 2007. It focused on reducing your carbon footprint and going on the 'low carbon diet'. For example, by leaving your car at home and taking a bus, walking, or cycling, you use less fuel. Getting your car tuned and keeping your tyres inflated correctly will increase your fuel efficiency. By carpooling, you'll use less fuel. Even using your accelerator more sparingly will decrease your carbon footprint.

By going on the low carbon diet, you'll help improve New Zealanders' health, the environment, and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.

Billboards

Print ads

Radio spots

• 'Carpooling' radio spot (MP3, 1.14mb)
• 'Use public transport' radio spot (MP3, 1.14mb)
• 'Inflate tyres correctly' radio spot (MP3, 1.14mb)

THE LOW CARBON CHECKLIST

Want to go on the low carbon diet, but don't quite know where to begin? Here are some simple things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Check your tyres √

Keeping your tyres inflated to the manufacturer's specifications means you'll use less fuel. You can usually find out what the correct tyre pressure rating for your car is on the door jamb or in the vehicle handbook. Even when you're not driving, tyres can still lose pressure and oxygen slowly escapes through the casing so it's a good idea to check pressures at least once a fortnight. Check your tyres when they're cold as when they're hot, air expands and can give the wrong reading.

Make sure you have dust caps on every tyre valve. Dust caps prevent dirt and moisture entering the valve mechanism preventing sudden tyre deflation through the valve. Service station air filling machines are not always accurate so buy a quality gauge to keep in your glove box. Keep the dust cap in your hand - it's easy to forget if you leave it on the ground!

And don't forget to check the spare wheel. The last thing you want when changing your tyre is to discover the spare is flat as well. Check the air pressure of the spare when you check the other tyres. Tyres naturally leak air over time so it is a good idea to over-fill the spare tyre by up to 4-6psi - when you are on the side of the road, it's easier to let a little air out than pump it up!

2. Check your driving habits √

When you start your car, don't wait for it to warm up. If your car is tuned you will just end up wasting fuel. Try and combine errands into one trip rather than several trips and avoid peak hour traffic. Short trips will use more fuel, as cold engines consume around 40 percent more fuel, produce more emissions, and increase engine wear and tear.

Change up through the gears and into top gear as quickly as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need, wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners. Automatic transmission will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.

Stop the engine whenever your car is stopped or held up for an extended period of time. This will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine, and any increased wear and tear is very minor.

3. Check your speed √

Drive at a good distance from the car in front so you can anticipate and travel with the flow of traffic, avoiding unnecessary acceleration and frequent repetitive braking Watch your speed as at 110 km/h your car uses up to 25 percent more fuel than it would cruising at 90 km/h.  

Resting your foot on the brake or driving with the hand brake on wastes fuel, increases brake wear and decreases braking efficiency.

4. Check your roof rack and boot √

Roof racks, poorly placed spoilers, or driving with the window open, increase air resistance and fuel consumption, in some cases by over 20 percent. Anything fixed to the outside of your car increases wind resistance and fuel consumption.

The more weight your vehicle carries, the more fuel it uses. So have a look in your boot and make sure you're not carrying around any unnecessary items. An extra 50kg of weight can increase your fuel bill by 2 percent.

5. Check your air conditioner √

Air conditioners can use up to 10 percent extra fuel when operating, especially when your car is not moving and the engine is at idle. But at speeds of over 80 km/h, the use of the air conditioning is better for fuel consumption than an open window.

6. Check your service record √

Keeping your vehicle properly serviced and well tuned will minimise its fuel use and its impact on the environmental. If your car is emitting any visible smoke or strong odour have it checked and corrected.

7. Check your petrol √

When you fill up your car, don't squeeze the last drop of petrol in at the petrol station. It is often spilt or lost through the overflow pipe when you accelerate or go around corners. Plus the expansion of the fuel can result in increased emissions.

8. Check with your car dealer √

Driving cleaner cars with the latest emissions control equipment can reduce the amount of fuel you use. Plus, generally speaking, the heavier a car, the more fuel it will consume. Automatic cars are less efficient than manuals. Buying a fuel-efficient car will not only be better for the environment, it will save you money

Why not ask your dealer about hybrid cars? A hybrid car is a passenger vehicle that is driven by a hybrid engine, which is any engine that combines two or more sources of power, generally gasoline and electricity. Not only will this save on fuel but it could reduce vehicle emissions by up to 50 percent.

9. Check with your neighbours and car pool √

Why not see who lives nearby and start a car pool with friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues? Carpooling or sharing rides cuts down commuter costs, wear and tear on your vehicle, and congestion and pollution. In some cases, cars that have a high occupancy rate (usually three or more) are allowed to use bus lanes or other special lanes, meaning carpoolers can bypass congested traffic. So post a notice on staff notice boards or social emails. Visit your neighbours and find out who would be keen to car pool.

10. Check your options √

One third of all New Zealand car trips are less than two kilometres long (two thirds are under six kilometres). If possible, try to walk, ride a bike or take public transport on those shorter trips. Not only will this save you cash on petrol it will also help you stay fit.

Want to know more?

Want more information about reducing carbon emissions? Check out these websites:

  • To calculate how much you spend on fuel each year, and how much you could save, see www.fuelsaver.govt.nz. Hosted by Land Transport New Zealand, the site has some useful fuel economy 'myths and facts'.
  • To calculate your ecological footprint, see the Ministry for the Environment site: www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/do/footprint. Using averaged national data and information you provide about the things you buy and use, the calculator can tell you the size of the impact you are having on the environment. You may be surprised!
  • The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) website has lots of tips for improving the energy choices we make. Check it out at: www.eeca.govt.nz.


Phase One

You may see billboards around your city, which will dramatically indicate to you what exhaust pollution can do, and advertisements on the radio. You may also get a pamphlet about the introduction of the visible smoke check with your warrant or certificate of fitness reminder.

Motorists are also encouraged to keep their vehicles tuned to help reduce emissions.

A number of measures have been introduced to reduce vehicle emissions. The latest is the introduction of a visible smoke check from late 2006 for vehicles when they are taken for a warrant or certificate of fitness. An information campaign Choke the Smoke will tell the public about the changes.

The Choke the Smoke campaign employs radio and billboard advertising:

Billboards

Radio spots