Ameer Randolph
Driving at 70mph uses significantly more fuel than driving at lower speeds. For example, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph. The faster you drive, the more fuel you consume, and driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions within the speed limit could save you money. Driving smoothly and maintaining momentum are also important for achieving the best fuel economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption at 70mph compared to 60mph | Up to 9% more fuel |
| Fuel consumption at 70mph compared to 50mph | Up to 15% more fuel |
| Fuel consumption at 80mph compared to 70mph | Up to 25% more fuel |
| Optimum driving speed for fuel economy | 55-56 mph |
| Factors affecting fuel economy | Tyre pressure, excess weight, use of roof racks, driving style |
| Techniques to improve fuel economy | Slowest speed, highest gear; gentle acceleration; maintain momentum; limit air conditioning; plan route; remove roof racks |
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What You'll Learn
Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph
Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel. According to the RAC, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph. This is backed up by Department for Transport figures, which state that driving at 70mph can use up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph, and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph.
This means that, for a 100-mile journey, driving at 60mph will cost around £17.65, while driving at 70mph will cost approximately £20.59. That's an extra £2.94 in fuel costs for a journey that is only 15 minutes faster.
There are several reasons why driving at lower speeds saves fuel. Firstly, air resistance increases exponentially as speed increases. As a result, the power required to maintain a higher speed is much greater than that needed to maintain a lower speed. Secondly, driving at lower speeds allows you to use a higher gear, which improves fuel efficiency. Thirdly, slowing down and driving at a consistent speed reduces fuel consumption. Constantly accelerating and decelerating uses more fuel.
To save money on fuel, it is advisable to stick to speed limits and drive at a consistent, slower speed. Driving smoothly and maintaining momentum are also important for improving fuel economy. Additionally, maintaining proper tyre pressure, removing excess weight from your vehicle, and limiting the use of air conditioning can all help to reduce fuel consumption.
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Driving at 70mph uses up to 15% more fuel than at 50mph
Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel. The exact amount of fuel burnt depends on several factors, such as tyre pressure, excess weight in the boot, use of roof racks, and driving style. However, the general rule is that the faster you drive, the more fuel you consume.
According to the RAC, driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph. This is because the power required to maintain a speed increases exponentially with the speed. For example, if you increase your speed by 2x, the drag increases by 4x, and the power required becomes 8x. Therefore, driving at 70mph will use about 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph in the same gear and covering the same distance.
The optimum driving speed for ensuring the best fuel economy is 55/56 mph. At this speed, vehicle manufacturers quote fuel consumption figures. However, motorists are advised to slow down only when it is practical to do so, taking into account the type of road, the speed limit, and current driving conditions.
To improve fuel efficiency, it is recommended to maintain momentum and keep the vehicle moving. Driving smoothly, gently accelerating, and anticipating the road ahead to avoid unnecessary stops are also beneficial. Additionally, limiting the use of air conditioning, removing roof racks, and planning journeys to avoid unnecessary mileage can help reduce fuel consumption.
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Driving at 80mph uses up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph
Driving at higher speeds can significantly impact fuel consumption. According to the AA, driving at 80 mph can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 70 mph. This increase in fuel consumption is due to several factors.
Firstly, the faster the vehicle travels, the higher the engine revs, resulting in increased fuel usage. Maintaining a constant speed at a lower rpm is more fuel-efficient than fluctuating speeds and rpm. Additionally, driving at higher speeds increases aerodynamic drag, which requires more engine power and fuel to overcome.
Another factor is the efficiency of modern engines. Most engines are designed to operate at optimal efficiency within a certain speed range, usually between 50 and 60 mph. Operating outside this range, especially at higher speeds, can reduce the engine's efficiency, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Driving at excessive speeds can also lead to increased tyre wear and engine strain, further impacting fuel efficiency. It's important to maintain proper tyre pressure and vehicle maintenance to minimise these effects.
Finally, driving at higher speeds often results in more aggressive driving behaviours, such as rapid acceleration and hard braking, which can significantly increase fuel consumption. Smooth and controlled driving can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce overall fuel costs.
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Driving smoothly and maintaining momentum saves fuel
Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph, and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph. Driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 70mph.
- Maintain momentum: Keeping your vehicle moving is key to fuel economy. Constantly slowing down and then accelerating uses more fuel. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions and what's happening on the road ahead.
- Plan your route: Consider making one round trip rather than several short trips. A warm engine uses less fuel than a cold one. Several short cold-start journeys will increase fuel consumption, even if the total mileage is the same.
- Drive smoothly: Avoid stamping on the accelerator or brakes. Be gentle with the controls and look well ahead to anticipate what other road users are doing. This will allow you to slow down naturally and keep moving, rather than coming to a complete stop at traffic lights or in a queue of traffic.
- Slow down: While it's important to drive within the speed limit, slowing down just 10mph from 70mph to 60mph on motorways can reduce emissions and improve local air quality.
- Stick to the speed limit: Driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions within the speed limit could save you money. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use.
- Use the slowest speed and highest gear: The key to achieving higher mpg figures is driving at the lowest speed you can in the highest possible gear. The optimum fuel economy speed will be different for every vehicle.
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Air conditioning, tyre pressure, and excess weight increase fuel consumption
Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph. Driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph. Driving at higher speeds also has a negative impact on the environment, as it increases emissions and reduces local air quality.
In addition to speed, there are several other factors that can increase fuel consumption. These include:
Air conditioning
The use of air conditioning makes the engine work harder and increases power consumption, which in turn leads to higher fuel consumption. The impact of air conditioning on fuel economy can vary depending on the vehicle and other factors. For example, the climate control system in a Prius may cause the engine to run more frequently, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency. In contrast, a thermostatic fan may use less energy if it doesn't need to run as often when the heater is in use.
Tyre pressure
Driving with tyres that are low in pressure can also increase fuel consumption. A study by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that driving with underinflated tyres can decrease fuel economy by up to 10% at lower speeds and up to 5% at higher speeds. It is recommended to maintain the recommended tyre pressure to optimise fuel efficiency.
Excess weight
The impact of excess weight on fuel consumption is complex and depends on various factors such as the vehicle, driving conditions, and velocity. Generally, adding weight to a car will negatively impact its fuel economy, especially in city driving. This is because the additional weight increases rolling resistance due to increased compression in the tyres. However, the effect on highway mileage is minimal, as velocity removes the biggest factor of fuel economy in hauling more weight.
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Frequently asked questions
Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph. For example, a 100-mile journey at a constant speed of 60mph will cost £17.65, whereas the same journey at 70mph will cost £20.59.
Driving at 70mph uses up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph.
The optimum driving speed for the best fuel economy is 55/56mph. However, this varies for each vehicle and is also dependent on other factors such as tyre pressure, excess weight, and use of roof racks.
Here are some ways to improve fuel efficiency:
- Maintain a consistent speed and drive smoothly by avoiding heavy acceleration and braking.
- Plan your route to avoid multiple short trips and unnecessary mileage.
- Limit the use of air conditioning as it makes the engine work harder.
- Remove excess weight and roof racks from your vehicle to reduce drag and wind resistance.
