Ameer Randolph
Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. For example, a car that gets 35 miles per gallon at 60 miles per hour will only get 30 miles per gallon at 70 miles per hour. This means that driving at 70 miles per hour will cost more in fuel than driving at 50 miles per hour. Driving smoothly and anticipating the road ahead can help improve fuel economy.
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What You'll Learn
Driving at 70mph uses more fuel than 50mph
Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel. This is because the power required to maintain a speed increases with the cube of the speed. For example, if you increase your speed by 2x, the power required becomes 8x higher. This means that driving at 70mph will use much more fuel than driving at 50mph.
A driver on the r/CarTalkUK subreddit calculated the costs of driving at 60mph and 70mph. They found that driving at 60mph for 100 miles would cost £17.65, while driving at 70mph would cost £20.59. This is a difference of £2.94 for a journey that is 15 minutes shorter.
Another driver on the same subreddit shared that their car averages 50mpg when driving at 60mph, and 30mpg at 70mph. This is a significant decrease in fuel efficiency when driving at higher speeds.
Warwickshire County Council in the UK has also recognised the link between speed and fuel consumption. They have launched a campaign to encourage motorists to slow down and save money on fuel. The campaign includes advertising on petrol pump dispensers, posters in shops and businesses, and messages on overhead gantries on motorways. The council advises drivers to stick to speed limits, maintain their vehicles, and drive smoothly to reduce their fuel consumption.
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Driving smoothly can reduce fuel consumption
Driving smoothly and maintaining a steady speed can significantly reduce fuel consumption and improve road safety. Here are some ways that driving smoothly can help achieve these benefits:
Firstly, aggressive driving behaviours, such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking, can substantially increase fuel consumption. European tests have shown that such driving habits can lead to a fuel efficiency reduction of up to 40%. In contrast, driving smoothly and avoiding rapid acceleration can decrease fuel usage and improve overall fuel economy. For example, taking 5 seconds to accelerate to 20 kilometres per hour from a stop can help conserve fuel.
Secondly, maintaining a steady speed and driving within the speed limit are essential for fuel efficiency. Most vehicles are most fuel-efficient when travelling between 50 and 80 kilometres per hour. At higher speeds, fuel consumption increases exponentially. For instance, a vehicle travelling at 120 kilometres per hour uses approximately 20% more fuel than at 100 kilometres per hour. Thus, adhering to speed limits and maintaining a consistent speed can help reduce fuel consumption.
Additionally, proper vehicle maintenance and tyre care are crucial for fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%, while properly inflated tyres reduce fuel usage and improve vehicle safety. Regularly checking tyre pressure and ensuring they are inflated to the recommended level, usually indicated on the car door or in the owner's manual, can help optimise fuel efficiency.
Finally, planning trips efficiently and combining multiple errands into one journey can also reduce fuel consumption. Longer trips allow the vehicle's engine to reach its peak operating temperature, which is more fuel-efficient than multiple short trips. Additionally, avoiding congested areas, steep hills, and road construction can help maintain a steady speed and further reduce fuel usage.
By adopting these driving practices and maintaining their vehicles properly, drivers can significantly reduce their fuel consumption, lower their environmental impact, and improve road safety.
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Maintaining tyres can reduce fuel consumption
Maintaining proper tyre pressure and choosing the right type of tyres can significantly reduce fuel consumption. Underinflated tyres deform more, creating a larger surface area in contact with the road, which increases rolling resistance and fuel consumption. Overinflated tyres can also increase rolling resistance as they are less flexible, leading to increased bounce when driving. Ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressure will help optimise fuel efficiency.
Tyre choice is another important factor. Chunky off-road tyres, for example, may provide grip for rugged terrain, but they will consume more fuel if used primarily on regular roads. Similarly, tyres that are too wide for the vehicle create more drag, requiring more power and fuel to drive the car. Energy-saving tyres are specifically designed to reduce rolling resistance and fuel consumption, while also lowering the vehicle's pollutant emissions.
Premium tyres often offer better rolling resistance than budget options, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and cost savings over time. Additionally, tyres with sufficient tread depth provide better grip on the road, preventing skidding and the subsequent increase in fuel usage that comes with regaining traction. It is recommended to replace tyres once the tread depth reaches 3mm, as anything below this depth will result in a noticeable drop in grip and fuel efficiency.
Proper tyre alignment is also crucial for maintaining fuel efficiency. Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tyre wear, leading to increased rolling resistance and decreased fuel economy. By ensuring tyres are correctly inflated, suited to the vehicle and its typical terrain, drivers can optimise fuel efficiency and reduce their fuel costs.
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Air conditioning increases fuel consumption
Air conditioning does increase fuel consumption, but the amount by which it does so is contested. Some studies have found that air conditioning increases fuel consumption by up to 90% during idling, while others have placed the figure at a much lower 9%.
Air conditioning is the single largest auxiliary load on a vehicle, and it is the key component that causes fuel economy to deteriorate. As vehicle speed increases, the portion of fuel consumption attributed to the air conditioning compressor also increases.
However, some have argued that air conditioning does not create any additional load on the engine that hasn't already been created by the water pump. This is because the blower motor, which circulates air in the cabin, is used regardless of whether the air conditioning is on or off.
A driver on a tropical island noted that they often drive with the windows down and the air conditioning on and that this does not affect their mileage. They also noted that with the windows down and the air conditioning on, the cold air mixes with the outside air, making a difference in the cabin temperature.
It is worth noting that in electric cars, the heater increases energy consumption as it is electric and draws power.
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Driving with a warm engine is more efficient
While it may be tempting to let your car engine idle for 15-20 minutes to get everything nice and warm, doing so is not very efficient. Modern engines are designed to reach optimal operating temperatures quickly. In fact, a car engine is fully lubricated within 20 to 30 seconds of turning on the ignition. This quick lubrication is due to the oil pump, which rapidly circulates oil throughout the motor, lubricating all necessary moving engine components.
On very cold days, it is a good idea to let your car run for about a minute before driving. This helps to warm up the engine and defog the windshield. However, beyond this brief period, letting your car idle for an extended period of time is unnecessary and can actually be detrimental. This is because extended idling burns more fuel than necessary, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher costs at the pump.
Additionally, idling engines release harmful pollutants into the air, contributing to air pollution and a less healthy environment. So, while you may want to give your engine a chance to warm up, it's best to keep the warm-up time to a minimum. Driving your car gently and avoiding hard acceleration during the first few minutes of your journey will help to warm up the engine faster and reduce wear and tear.
If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to consider using a block heater to help your engine warm up more quickly. A block heater is an electric heating element that warms the engine block, reducing the time needed for the engine to reach optimal operating temperatures.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel used depends on the car. One source states that a car with a 1.2 petrol engine averages roughly 50mpg. Another source states that their car gets 35mpg at 60mph and 30mpg at 70mph.
To save money on fuel, you can:
- Stick to speed limits – the faster you drive, the more fuel you use.
- Remove external storage, such as a roof rack or bike carrier, as these will make you use more fuel.
- Maintain your vehicle – driving with tyres that are low in pressure increases fuel use.
- Limit air conditioning – air conditioning makes the engine work harder, increasing fuel consumption.
- Plan your journey – routes with lots of stopping and starting will use more fuel.
Driving within speed limits saves fuel and lives in the event of a collision.
Yes, you will also not risk getting caught speeding, which could cost you money and affect your job.
