The burning of fossil fuels as a means to travel around and transport goods is an unsustainable solution, but with the technology currently at our disposal is likely to continue for a while yet. The primary means by which to mitigate the effects and engender longer term change is through the development of new car technologies which can power vehicles in an eco-friendly way, but the transition cannot be achieved instantaneously without major changes to our infrastructure. The result is that many car manufacturers are seeking to bridge the gap between petrol and whatever may come next with some environmentally sound cars, helping to reduce carbon emissions and make travel cheaper at the same time.

BMW is one of the world`s most successful car manufacturers and it has been working on a range of energy-efficient vehicles in recent years. The result is the BMW EfficientDynamics series of cars which run on traditional fuels, but use various intelligent engineering features to make them far more efficient to use without detracting from the driving experience that fans of the marque have come to expect. BMW is claiming that the EfficientDynamics vehicles are future proof and offers to prove this on its website by offering direct comparisons between its models and similar cars from major rivals. The results are clear, because whilst performance may vary, BMW car parts and models are almost always far more efficient when it comes to fuel consumption and the amount of carbon dioxide ultimately emitted from the exhaust.

There are eight key ways in which BMW`s eco-friendly engineering works for both car and driver. The first is key modifications to the aerodynamic design of the vehicles to minimise drag and to optimise the engine temperature through carefully located air intakes. The second is an engine which automatically cuts out whenever the car is completely still and then kicks in seamlessly on demand. The third is power steering that operates using electricity, which reduces the weight of the car and improves fuel consumption. The fourth is a system by which the energy generated whilst braking is converted into reusable energy rather than wasted, so the battery is charged. The fourth and fifth ensure that key components are light as well as strong and that the fluids which lubricate the engine are as frictionless as possible. The final two aspects of EfficientDynamics are made up of an indicator which tells you when it is best to change gear to drive efficiently and tyres which efficiently address the road surface and dissipate heat.

Every BMW series has been given an EfficientDynamics work over, from the 1 series hatchback through to the M series sports cars. The advancements in environmentally friendly technologies do not, however, detract from the driver experience. As the technology becomes available in the used car market, cheap car sales sites may render EfficientDynamics models affordable for all, balancing driving pleasure with environmental responsibility.

So, first off – did you know that there are many simple car maintenance tasks that most of us can do, albeit with a little instructional help? I know this is true and I’ve learnt how to do many maintenance repairs to my BMW, all with help of YouTube and similar video sharing websites!

The next best thing to having a qualified mechanic right there with you in your garage is to have a video of him at work on fixing the exact repair you need to make. The internet offers exactly this. For example, search google.co.uk for ‘simple car repairs‘ .

On your results page, click on ‘show options’  and select ‘video’s’. You should now have a results page full of online videos showing you how to make simple car repairs. You can also search in the same way for a video solution to the exact problem you need to fix on your BMW.

Now, should the above solution not be enough and you’re in need of more expert help, I can wholeheartedly recommend Google Maps as a great way to find a range of mechanics in your area. There are a number of car maintenance jobs I would never recommend you attempt yourself, unless highly experienced – this would include anything related to your brakes, emissions or clutch. Type ‘car mechanic’ into the search box and Google Maps should detect your local area from your broadband connection – if not, simply add your town/city to the end of your search keyphrase.

Google Maps I’ve found often offers better results than google.co.uk. This is down to the fact that many smaller businesses are able to rank alongside their bigger (and more expensive) competitors. You can also see where any potential mechanics are based in relation to yourself on the map. Remember, if you have sourced your BMW parts and accessories online, then you may not need an approved BMW garage to fit them – especially as your parts should come with at least a 12 month guarantee from a good online supplier. So, look out for the most cost effective mechanic based locally and insist on sourcing the parts yourself!