Rajan Wilcox
With the ever-fluctuating cost of fuel, motorists are always looking for ways to save money at the pump. While the speed at which you drive is the most influential factor affecting fuel consumption, there are several ways to change your driving habits and reduce fuel consumption. This includes driving at a constant speed, removing unnecessary weight from your car, and ensuring your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Calculators are also available to help you determine how much fuel you will need for a given journey and how much that trip will cost you.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Annual savings | £800 |
| Techniques to save fuel | Hypermiling, coasting, driving at a constant speed, driving smoothly, removing excess weight, using cruise control, maintaining correct tyre pressure, servicing and maintenance |
| Factors affecting fuel economy | Speed, gear, fuel carried, acceleration, air conditioning, heating, windows, weight, maintenance, tyre pressure |
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Driving style
Another critical aspect of driving style is how aggressively one accelerates. The harder one accelerates, the more fuel is consumed. A gentle approach to accelerating can significantly improve fuel efficiency, especially in urban areas. One technique is to take around five seconds to accelerate to 20 kilometres per hour from a stop, imagining there is an open cup of coffee on the dashboard that should not be spilled. This smooth acceleration method can be applied when merging into traffic or climbing steep grades. It is also essential to avoid jabbing the accelerator during passing maneuvers or lane changes, as this reduces fuel economy.
The use of engine indicators and tachometers can further enhance driving style. Indicators, such as the shift indicator lamp, signal when to upshift to maintain maximum efficiency and economy. Paying attention to engine speed and road speed can help improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, coasting before a red light or a downhill slope can minimize the need to come to a complete stop, reducing fuel consumption and brake wear.
Finally, external factors like cargo and vehicle weight can impact fuel economy. Hauling cargo on the roof increases aerodynamic drag, reducing fuel efficiency by up to 25% on highways and interstates. Similarly, an extra 100 pounds of weight in the vehicle can decrease fuel efficiency by about 1%. Removing unnecessary items and using rear-mount cargo boxes can help improve fuel economy.
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Vehicle maintenance
Proper vehicle maintenance can significantly impact fuel economy and, consequently, your savings. Ensuring your vehicle is well-maintained can improve fuel efficiency, saving you money on fuel costs. Here are some essential vehicle maintenance tips to help you maximize your fuel economy:
Maintain Proper Tire Inflation:
Checking your tire pressure is crucial for optimal fuel economy. Under-inflated tires can decrease your gas mileage, while properly inflated tires can improve it by up to 3%. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or glove box and in the owner's manual.
Use Recommended Motor Oil:
Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can improve your gas mileage by 1-2%. Additionally, consider the oil viscosity based on the exterior temperature—thicker oil in summer and thinner oil in winter.
Replace Air Filters:
Clogged air filters can negatively affect both fuel economy and acceleration. Replacing clogged air filters, particularly in older vehicles with carbureted engines, can improve fuel efficiency and acceleration by a few percent.
Keep Spark Plugs in Good Condition:
Spark plugs ignite the blend of fuel and air in the engine combustion chamber. Replacing worn-out spark plugs can help your engine run cleaner and more efficiently, contributing to better fuel economy.
Regular Fuel System Service:
Consider having a Fuel System Service performed every 30,000 miles. This service includes cleaning the fuel system, fuel injectors, and removing sediments from the intake valves. Build-up of deposits can reduce fuel economy by burning more gasoline.
By implementing these maintenance practices, you can improve your vehicle's fuel economy and, in turn, save a significant amount of money on fuel costs over time.
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Tyre pressure
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA found that under-inflation of a tyre by 10% increases fuel consumption by 2%, 20% under inflation increases consumption by 4%, and at 40% under-inflation, consumption increases by 8%. Tyre pressure can also be affected by temperature changes, with a loss of 2% in tyre pressure for every 5 °C drop.
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is essential for keeping you and other road users safe, improving vehicle performance, and ensuring your tyres last longer. Under-inflated tyres are a safety hazard, leading to longer stopping distances, poor handling, and potential blowouts. They also cause increased rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder, and uneven tread wear, with the edges of the tyre wearing out faster.
So, how can you ensure your tyres are properly inflated? The proper tyre pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box, and in your owner's manual. It is recommended to check your tyre pressure regularly and adjust it according to the manufacturer's specifications. Most gas stations offer free air for tyre inflation if you don't have a pump of your own.
In addition to proper tyre inflation, you can further improve your fuel economy by keeping your engine tuned and using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
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Air conditioning
One of the main factors is the outside temperature. Using the air conditioning is more fuel-efficient than driving with the windows down at high speeds, but less efficient at lower speeds. At higher speeds, open windows create excess drag on the vehicle, increasing resistance and reducing fuel efficiency. However, at lower speeds, driving with the windows down is more efficient than using air conditioning.
The condition of the air conditioning system also matters. A well-maintained system is more efficient and will use less fuel than one that is not in top shape. If refrigerant levels drop, the system has to work harder to produce the same amount of cool air, using more fuel.
Driving habits can also impact fuel consumption. Air conditioning can use more fuel during stop-and-go city driving, whereas the effect on fuel consumption may be less on highway trips.
The type of car also makes a difference. Smaller cars may see a larger drop in fuel efficiency when using the air conditioning compared to larger cars.
While using the air conditioning does increase fuel consumption, for most people, the comfort it provides outweighs the small amount of additional fuel used.
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Cruise control
One of the key advantages of cruise control is its ability to maintain a continuous speed, eliminating unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. This is particularly beneficial on long, flat stretches of road, as it helps to improve fuel economy. According to a study by Natural Resources Canada, a vehicle's fuel efficiency improved by 20% when using cruise control to maintain a steady speed of 50 mph (80 kph) compared to fluctuating speeds between 47 and 53 mph (75 to 85 kph) every 18 seconds.
However, the effectiveness of cruise control in improving fuel efficiency depends on various factors, including road conditions, the year, and the make and model of your vehicle. It is generally recommended to avoid using cruise control on hilly or mountainous terrain. This is because the system may struggle to adapt to changing inclines, resulting in decreased fuel efficiency. Additionally, cruise control should be used with caution in inclement weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or when there is a possibility of black ice, as it can compromise safety in such situations.
While cruise control can be a useful tool for improving fuel efficiency, it is not a substitute for other fuel-saving practices. For example, aggressive driving behaviours such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and frequent braking can significantly impact fuel economy, with decreases of up to 15-30% at highway speeds. Therefore, adopting a smoother driving style and maintaining a consistent speed can help maximise fuel efficiency, regardless of whether cruise control is utilised.
In conclusion, cruise control can be an effective tool for improving fuel efficiency, particularly on long, flat stretches of road. However, it is important to consider the limitations of the system and adapt your driving habits accordingly to maximise fuel savings.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find this out by entering your annual mileage and current petrol consumption in Miles per Gallon into a calculator. This calculator is based on a typical MPG "loss" of 20% on Autogas compared to petrol.
By improving your fuel economy, you can save up to £800 a year.
You can improve your fuel economy by driving at a constant speed, using cruise control, removing unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight, and ensuring your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.
Driving at very high speeds will cause your engine to rev higher and consume more fuel. Driving above 75mph can significantly increase your fuel costs.
You can calculate the cost of fuel for a trip by using an online calculator and entering the miles covered, the estimated MPG for your vehicle, and the price of your petrol in pence.
