Sylvie Willis
Driving smoothly and adopting fuel-efficient techniques can help you save hundreds of dollars in fuel each year. Driving at a continuous speed is one of the most efficient ways to save fuel, and you can do this by using cruise control on highways and looking ahead while driving to keep your speed steady. Other techniques include avoiding harsh braking, removing unnecessary weight and wind resistance from your vehicle, and keeping your tyres inflated to the appropriate pressure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driving smoothly | Save hundreds of dollars in fuel each year |
| Improve road safety | |
| Prevent wear on your vehicle | |
| Lower vehicle's fuel consumption | |
| Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25% | |
| Save up to 15% fuel by acting on feedback from fuel consumption displays | |
| Save fuel by driving less | |
| Save fuel by carpooling or working from home | |
| Save fuel by keeping tyres inflated to the appropriate pressure | |
| Save fuel by removing roof racks, roof boxes and flags | |
| Save fuel by not using air conditioning | |
| Save fuel by using cruise control | |
| Save fuel by driving at a continuous speed | |
| Save fuel by driving on larger, straighter roads | |
| Save fuel by avoiding traffic | |
| Save fuel by driving at a lower speed | |
| Save fuel by not idling |
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What You'll Learn
Driving at a continuous speed
One way to maintain a constant speed is to use cruise control, which can help you save as much as 14% on fuel. Cruise control is most effective on flat surfaces, such as motorways and A roads, and in newer cars, it has additional safety features to help you maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. However, it is important to note that cruise control should only be used when road conditions permit, and it is not suitable for all types of driving.
Another way to drive at a continuous speed is to look ahead and anticipate what other drivers and pedestrians are doing. This way, you can adjust your speed gradually and avoid sudden stops and starts, which can increase fuel consumption. It is also important to keep a comfortable distance from the vehicle in front of you to maintain a constant speed.
Maintaining a constant speed does not only refer to your driving speed but also to your engine speed. Unnecessary gear changes can waste fuel, so it is important to stay in gear when slowing down to activate the fuel cut-off switch in a fuel injection engine. Additionally, harsh braking can be inefficient as it brings you down to speeds that require lower gears, which are more taxing on your fuel tank.
Finally, driving at a continuous speed is not just about your technique but also about your vehicle's maintenance. Well-maintained vehicles tend to be more fuel-efficient. For example, keeping your tyres inflated to the appropriate pressure can positively impact fuel consumption, as underinflated tyres can cause your car to drag and waste fuel. Similarly, removing roof racks, roof boxes, and unnecessary cargo can reduce wind resistance and improve fuel economy.
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Reducing wind resistance
Driving smoothly and maintaining a consistent speed can significantly reduce fuel consumption and costs. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel efficiency at a different speed, fuel economy typically decreases rapidly above 50 mph. Driving at a continuous speed with the aid of cruise control can help maintain fuel efficiency.
- Hauling cargo on the roof of a vehicle increases wind resistance and lowers fuel economy. The size and shape of the cargo box impact fuel efficiency, with larger and blunt rooftop cargo boxes reducing fuel economy by 2% to 8% in city driving, 6% to 17% on the highway, and 10% to 25% at interstate speeds. Opting for rear-mount cargo boxes or trays is more fuel-efficient, reducing fuel economy by only 1-5%.
- Any external accessories, such as extra lights, bull bars, air horns, or ornaments, increase air resistance and fuel consumption. Removing unnecessary accessories can help improve aerodynamics and save fuel.
- Choosing aerodynamic features, such as an integrated parking cooler, adjustable 5th wheel, and aerodynamic side mirrors or wheel covers, can enhance the vehicle's aerodynamics and reduce wind resistance.
- Proper vehicle maintenance is crucial for fuel efficiency. Ensuring tyres are inflated to the appropriate pressure is essential, as underinflated tyres can cause the vehicle to drag and waste fuel.
- The weight of the vehicle also impacts fuel efficiency. Keeping the vehicle weight to the necessary minimum will help improve fuel economy.
- Route planning can play a role in reducing wind resistance. Opting for larger, straighter roads can maximize fuel efficiency, as these roads may allow for more consistent speeds and fewer stops compared to shorter, more congested routes.
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Proper vehicle maintenance
Tyres: Ensure your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure. Underinflated tyres can decrease fuel economy and cause your vehicle to consume more fuel. Regularly check for any damage, including valve caps, and replace tyres as necessary.
Fuel Tank: Regularly inspect the fuel tank for any leaks or issues with the cap. Leaks can lead to fuel loss and potential safety hazards.
Bodywork: Keep an eye out for any loose, torn, or protruding panels or bodywork. These issues can increase air resistance, reducing fuel efficiency and affecting the overall performance of your vehicle.
Startup and Mechanical Issues: Listen for any unusual mechanical noises or observe any smoke during startup. These could indicate underlying issues impacting fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
Steering and Brakes: Pay attention to any steering pulling or dragging brakes when moving off. These issues can affect handling and fuel consumption. Ensure regular brake maintenance and keep an eye out for any tracking issues.
Regular Servicing: It is essential to service your vehicle regularly. This helps identify potential issues, optimise performance, and maintain fuel efficiency. Consider using services like RAC Mobile Mechanic or visiting an approved garage.
By prioritising proper vehicle maintenance, you can ensure your vehicle runs efficiently, consumes less fuel, and avoids costly repairs down the line.
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Avoiding harsh braking
Braking harshly is an inefficient way to drive as it causes you to rapidly lose speed, forcing you to downshift to a lower gear much faster. Lower gears are more taxing on your fuel tank, so you end up using more fuel than if you had maintained your speed or decelerated more gradually.
Harsh braking also wastes your forward momentum. Every time you brake, you lose kinetic energy that could have kept your vehicle moving. By avoiding harsh braking, you can maintain this momentum and reduce the amount of fuel required to accelerate back up to speed.
In addition, modern vehicles with electronic injection consume no fuel when using engine braking—that is, when you take your foot off the accelerator and slow down with the gears engaged. By using engine braking instead of harsh braking, you can save fuel while still safely reducing your speed.
To avoid harsh braking, it's important to look ahead while driving and anticipate what other drivers and pedestrians are likely to do. This will help you keep your speed as steady as possible and avoid situations where you might need to brake suddenly. Maintaining a comfortable distance from the vehicle in front of you will also give you more time to brake gradually and smoothly, rather than having to come to a sudden stop.
By combining these techniques and adopting a smoother driving style, you can significantly improve your fuel efficiency, save money on fuel costs, and even extend the lifespan of your brake pads.
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Route planning
When planning a route, it is important to consider that a shorter journey is not always the most efficient. Longer routes that avoid traffic can be more fuel-efficient as time spent idling uses just as much fuel as time spent driving. For example, a longer route with free-flowing traffic may be more efficient than a shorter route with heavy congestion.
It is also important to consider the speed limits of the roads on your route. In low-speed limit areas, fuel consumption and emissions increase significantly. Therefore, it may be more fuel-efficient to opt for routes with higher speed limits, where vehicles can build up momentum and cruise at a steady speed, using less fuel.
Additionally, planning your route ahead of time can help you to assess which items are necessary to bring along. Removing unnecessary items from your vehicle can reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency.
Finally, telematics services and software applications can be useful tools to help optimise routes and avoid unnecessary miles. These technologies can provide real-time alerts and feedback to drivers, helping them to reduce fuel consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Driving smoothly can help save hundreds of dollars in fuel each year. Driving smoothly includes techniques such as gentle acceleration, maintaining a steady speed, and avoiding unnecessary braking. These techniques can improve fuel efficiency by up to 25%.
Here are some specific techniques:
- Gentle acceleration: Take a few seconds to accelerate gently to reach the desired speed.
- Maintain a steady speed: Look ahead and anticipate traffic flow to maintain a consistent speed.
- Avoid unnecessary braking: Try to slow down naturally by easing off the accelerator or using engine braking.
- Remove roof racks and boxes: These create wind resistance, increasing fuel consumption.
- Maintain proper tyre pressure: Underinflated tyres can decrease fuel economy.
Driving conditions play a significant role in fuel efficiency:
- Route planning: Opt for larger, straighter roads and avoid routes with heavy traffic or numerous stops.
- Speed limits: Most vehicles are most fuel-efficient between 50 and 80 km/h. Fuel consumption increases significantly above this range.
- Traffic conditions: Sitting in traffic with the engine idling wastes fuel. Consider turning off the engine if stopped for extended periods.
Yes, here are some additional tips:
- Regular vehicle maintenance: Proper maintenance improves fuel efficiency and reduces the need for costly repairs.
- Minimise air conditioning and heating use: These systems use engine power, increasing fuel consumption. Dress appropriately for the weather.
- Combine trips: Longer excursions allow the engine to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature.
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