Ameer Randolph
Fuel-efficient driving can save you hundreds of dollars in fuel each year. Driving sensibly and safely can save more than just gas money. For example, a gasoline vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $900 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG. Driving habits such as accelerating slowly and smoothly, maintaining a steady speed, turning off the engine when stopped, removing unnecessary cargo, and using cruise control can all contribute to significant fuel savings. Additionally, reducing fuel consumption also helps lower carbon dioxide emissions and improves road safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driving style | Avoid "jack-rabbit" starts and hard braking, which can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. Accelerate slowly and smoothly, then get into high gear as quickly as possible. |
| Speed | Driving above 50 mph can be like paying an additional $0.22-$0.27 per gallon of gas. Maintaining a steady speed helps your engine perform efficiently. |
| Weight | An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by about 1%. |
| Idling | Turning off the engine when the vehicle is parked can save money. Idling can use a quarter to half a gallon of fuel per hour. |
| Cruise control | Using cruise control can help maintain a constant speed and save gas. |
| Tire pressure | Driving with under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%. |
| Air conditioner | Using the air conditioner can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% in city driving. |
| Cargo | Hauling cargo on the roof increases aerodynamic drag and lowers fuel economy by up to 25%. |
| Fuel-efficient vehicles | Fuel-efficient vehicles can save you hundreds of dollars in fuel each year and improve road safety. |
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What You'll Learn
Driving at a steady speed
Maintain a Constant Speed: One of the most fuel-efficient speeds is a constant, steady speed. Accelerating and decelerating repeatedly wastes fuel and reduces your mileage. When you accelerate, your vehicle burns extra fuel to build up speed, and then when you decelerate, that energy is wasted. By maintaining a constant speed, you avoid these inefficiencies.
Stay within the Speed Limit: Driving within the speed limit is crucial for safety, but it also has a significant impact on fuel efficiency. In general, the faster you drive, the more fuel your vehicle will consume. For example, driving at higher speeds can increase fuel consumption significantly. So, staying within the speed limit can help you save fuel and money.
Use Cruise Control: Cruise control is a valuable feature that can aid in maintaining a steady speed. It automatically adjusts your vehicle's speed to match your preset preference, making it especially useful on highways and open roads. By using cruise control, you ensure a fuel-efficient speed and avoid the temptation to exceed the limit.
Anticipate Traffic Flow: Being mindful of traffic flow and anticipating changes helps maintain a steady pace. Look ahead, anticipate slowdowns, and gently decelerate instead of abrupt braking. Conversely, when traffic flows smoothly, gently accelerate to match the speed of other vehicles.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Keeping a safe distance from the car in front improves safety and fuel efficiency. A buffer allows for a consistent speed and avoids unnecessary braking and acceleration, improving your fuel economy.
By adopting a steady driving speed, you improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel costs. Smooth, controlled driving optimizes mileage and saves money.
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Removing roof racks and carriers
Fuel-efficient driving can lead to significant savings in both fuel and money. While there are various techniques and devices that can improve fuel efficiency, one important aspect is the removal of roof racks and carriers when they are not in use.
Roof racks and carriers can significantly impact a vehicle's fuel economy, especially when driving at higher speeds. The presence of a roof rack increases aerodynamic drag, also known as wind resistance, which causes the vehicle to consume more fuel to maintain its speed. The impact of a roof rack on fuel efficiency can be quite substantial. For example, a large, blunt roof-top cargo box can reduce fuel economy by around 2% to 8% in city driving, 6% to 17% on the highway, and 10% to 25% at interstate speeds. Even an empty roof rack can have an impact, with studies showing a nearly 2% decrease in fuel economy.
The weight of items placed on the roof rack also affects fuel efficiency. An extra 100 pounds in a vehicle can reduce its miles per gallon (MPG) by about 1%. Therefore, the combination of increased weight and aerodynamic drag caused by a loaded roof rack can result in a notable decrease in fuel economy.
By removing the roof rack when it is not in use, drivers can minimize wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. This simple step can lead to significant fuel savings in the long run. For instance, removing the crossbars on a 2022 Kia Carnival resulted in a 12% increase in fuel efficiency, improving the highway driving range by 60 miles.
In addition to removal, there are other ways to mitigate the impact of roof racks on fuel efficiency. One option is to choose a streamlined, low-profile roof rack that creates less aerodynamic drag. Loading gear in an aerodynamic manner can also make a difference. Alternative mounting options, such as rear-mounted racks or trailer hitch carriers, may also be less detrimental to aerodynamics.
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Using cruise control
Cruise control is a feature in most modern vehicles that allows drivers to set a desired speed for the car to maintain automatically. This feature is designed to maintain a constant speed without the need for continuous pedal use, reducing the number of times a vehicle slows down and accelerates, keeping the engine and transmission operating in their most efficient modes.
However, the effectiveness of cruise control in saving fuel depends on various factors, such as road conditions and vehicle type. Cruise control may not be well-suited for winding roads, heavy traffic, or routes with multiple inclines and declines, as these terrains require constant adjustments to maintain appropriate speeds. Additionally, the quality of cruise control systems can vary, and some may struggle on hilly terrain, reducing their ability to conserve fuel.
To maximise fuel efficiency, a combination of cruise control and driver involvement is often recommended. For example, using cruise control and manually adjusting speeds when ascending or descending hills can help improve fuel economy. Advanced cruise control systems can also adjust throttle inputs and gear ratios more efficiently during uphill climbs, optimising fuel consumption.
Overall, using cruise control can be a useful tool to improve fuel efficiency, especially on flat roads and highways, by maintaining a constant speed and reducing unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. However, drivers should remain engaged and make adjustments as needed based on road conditions and traffic patterns.
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Avoiding jack-rabbit starts and hard braking
Jackrabbit starts and hard braking are aggressive driving behaviours that can waste fuel and lead to accidents or injuries. Jackrabbit starts occur when drivers push down hard on their accelerators to shoot forward with speed. This can be common at green lights or when merging into interstate traffic. The flip side of this aggressive driving style is often hard braking.
Aggressive driving behaviours can be addressed through driver feedback devices, which can help improve fuel economy by about 3% on average. These devices can help drivers save fuel by up to 10%.
To avoid jackrabbit starts, drivers can practice gentle acceleration and maintain a constant speed. This can be aided by using cruise control, which helps maintain a steady speed and, in newer cars, can also help maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Driving at a constant speed is more fuel-efficient than constantly accelerating and decelerating.
Additionally, trip planning can help reduce aggressive driving behaviours. Planning routes to avoid heavy traffic, road construction, and hilly terrain can save time and fuel. Combining errands into one trip can also help, as several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
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Turning off the engine when stopped
The primary benefit of this feature is the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions during idle periods. Idling wastes fuel and can negatively impact engine components, leading to increased fuel inefficiency over time. By turning off the engine when stopped, start-stop systems prevent unnecessary fuel usage and help maintain engine health.
However, the effectiveness of turning off the engine also depends on various factors. The make and model of the vehicle play a role, as not all start-stop systems are equally efficient. Additionally, driving conditions influence fuel savings; city driving with frequent stops offers greater fuel reduction potential than highway driving without frequent idling.
While turning off the engine can save fuel, there are considerations regarding the recharging cost of fuel to power the start-stop system. Repeated restarting of the engine may lead to increased fuel consumption to recharge the battery. This effect is more pronounced during brief stops, where the savings from turning off the engine may be negligible compared to the recharging cost.
Furthermore, driver preference and driving style can impact the use of start-stop systems. Some drivers may find the technology annoying, especially if it interferes with quick acceleration when joining traffic. Modern vehicles often include an option to disable the start-stop feature, allowing drivers to prioritize their preferences and driving needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Driving a fuel-efficient vehicle can save you hundreds of dollars in fuel each year. For example, a gasoline vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $900 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $3.60 per gallon).
Here are some tips to improve fuel efficiency:
- Turn off the engine when the vehicle is parked.
- Limit engine starts to about 10 times per day.
- Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle, especially heavy ones.
- Use cruise control on the highway to maintain a constant speed.
- Avoid "jack-rabbit" starts and hard braking, which can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%.
Improving your driving habits can significantly reduce fuel consumption. For example, driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph can improve your gas mileage by 10-15%. Additionally, small variations in speed can increase fuel consumption by up to 20-48%.
