There are several ways for a driver to save on fuel consumption. Applying most of these tips together can reduce the fuel consumption of your vehicle to about 10% !
I) MAINTENANCE
- Servicing: By giving your car regular servicing you can make sure the engine is working efficiently.
- Engine oil: Make sure you are using the right engine oil (check the handbook).
- Tyres: check tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys; under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and so use more fuel.
- minimize weight: extra weight means extra fuel so if there's anything in the boot you don't need on the journey take it out.
- Streamline: roof-racks and boxes add wind resistance and so increase fuel consumption. If you don't need it take it off – if you do, pack carefully to reduce drag.
- Leave promptly: don't start the engine until you're ready to go as idling wastes fuel and the engine warms up more quickly when you're moving.
- Don't get lost: plan unfamiliar journeys to reduce the risk of getting lost and check the traffic news before you leave
- Combine short trips: cold starts use more fuel so it pays to combine errands such as buying the paper, dropping off the recycling, or collecting the kids.
III) ON THE ROAD
- Drive smoothly: accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
- Decelerate smoothly: when you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by releasing the accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.
- Rolling: if you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better; stopping then starting again uses more fuel than rolling.
- Change up earlier: don't labour the engine but try changing up at an engine speed of around 2,000 rpm in a diesel car or around 2,500 rpm in a petrol car. This can make such a difference that all cars in the future are likely to be fitted with a 'Gear Shift indicator' light to show the most efficient gear change points.
- Cut down on the A/C: air-conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects are less noticeable. So if it's a hot day open the windows around town and save the air conditioning for high speed driving.
- Turn it off: electrical loads increase fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen, demister blowers and headlights, when you don't need them.
- Stick to speed limits: the faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and pollution. Driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.
- Don't be idle: Turn the engine off if it looks like you could be waiting for more than three minutes.
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