Regan Brown
With rising fuel prices, it's no surprise that people are looking for ways to save money at the pump. Driving with fuel economy in mind is one way to do this. If you drive an automatic car, there are several techniques you can use to reduce your fuel consumption and save money. From adjusting your driving habits to taking advantage of modern vehicle features, you can make a significant difference in your fuel economy. In this article, we will explore tips and tricks on how to drive an automatic car to save fuel and maximise your vehicle's efficiency.
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What You'll Learn
Avoid aggressive driving
Aggressive driving can lower your fuel economy by 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic and 15% to 30% at highway speeds. This can equate to losing about $0.25 to $1 per gallon. Speeding was found to be the costliest aggressive driving habit, with crashes costing society more than $40 billion a year.
To avoid aggressive driving, it is important to be mindful of your speed, acceleration, and braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and fast braking can waste a lot of fuel. When accelerating, do so gently and pull away slowly. This can be achieved by gradually pressing down on the gas pedal instead of sudden, jerky movements. Anticipate stopping by easing off the accelerator to slow down, rather than braking suddenly.
Additionally, try to maintain a steady speed and avoid speeding up and slowing down frequently. Use cruise control on the highway to maintain a constant speed and save gas. Driving slowly and consistently will keep your car going forward, as a body in motion stays in motion and uses less energy and fuel. However, do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal, as this will drag down your fuel economy and place an unnecessary burden on the engine and transmission.
It is also important to be mindful of the road conditions. Your tires are more likely to slip on wet or gravel surfaces, causing a loss of fuel mileage and endangering yourself and others. Take care when starting off on slippery or unpaved roads and slow down on rough pavement.
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Remove unnecessary weight
When driving an automatic car, removing unnecessary weight is a great way to save fuel. Additional weight requires more power and fuel to move, so removing items you don't need for a particular trip will save you fuel.
The impact of weight reduction is more noticeable in smaller vehicles compared to larger, more powerful ones. However, even in larger vehicles, excess weight can still increase fuel consumption. For example, an extra 100 pounds in your trunk could reduce the fuel in your tank by about 10%.
Items like roof racks, roof boxes, and cargo carriers create aerodynamic drag, which increases fuel consumption. In city driving, transporting rooftop cargo can reduce fuel economy by 2-8%. On the highway, this reduction can be as high as 10-25% at 65-75 miles per hour. Therefore, removing these items when not in use can significantly improve fuel efficiency.
Other ways to reduce unnecessary weight include removing permanent fixtures like golf clubs from your trunk if you don't need them for your trip. Every little bit of weight reduction helps, so don't be afraid to be meticulous in removing unnecessary items from your vehicle.
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Maintain correct tyre pressure
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is a simple yet vital practice for automatic car owners who want to save fuel. It plays a significant role in optimising fuel efficiency, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars each year. By keeping your tyres properly inflated, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Tyre pressure affects fuel efficiency, handling, and tyre lifespan. Under-inflated tyres can lead to increased wear and reduced fuel economy. On the other hand, over-inflated tyres may cause a harsh ride and uneven tread wear. Therefore, it is essential to regularly check and maintain the correct tyre pressure to ensure optimal performance.
You can find the proper tyre pressure for your vehicle on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box, and it should also be in your owner's manual. It is recommended to check your tyre pressure at least once a month and more frequently during significant weather changes. For the most accurate reading, check the tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, as heat can cause the pressure to rise.
To make maintaining the correct tyre pressure easier and more accurate, invest in a reliable tyre inflator gauge and a portable air compressor. Digital gauges offer precise readings, while analogue ones are easy to use. A portable air compressor will enable you to inflate your tyres anywhere, making it a convenient tool.
By following these steps, you can ensure your car tyres remain properly inflated without relying on service centres. This will not only save you time and money but also enhance your driving experience by improving safety and efficiency.
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Plan your route
Planning your route efficiently can help you save fuel when driving an automatic car. Here are some tips to consider when planning your journey:
Firstly, use route planning tools such as Google Maps or other Sat Nav tools to find the most optimal route for your journey. These tools can help you identify and avoid congested areas, traffic lights, and crossing intersections, which can cause unnecessary stopping and starting, increasing fuel consumption. Plan your route to take the most direct path to your destination, reducing unnecessary mileage. If possible, combine multiple errands into a single trip to minimise the total distance travelled.
Additionally, consider traffic patterns and peak hours when planning your route. Try to avoid times of high congestion, such as school pick-up and drop-off times, to reduce the amount of time spent in traffic. By planning your route efficiently and avoiding unnecessary delays, you can improve your fuel efficiency and save both time and money.
In some cases, it may be beneficial to plan your route to take advantage of certain driving conditions that can improve fuel efficiency. For example, on highways or open roads, you can minimise aerodynamic drag by driving behind larger vehicles such as trucks, using their slipstream to maximise efficiency. However, always maintain a safe distance and be prepared to brake if needed.
Remember, efficient trip planning is not just about the route you take but also the preparation of your vehicle. Ensure your tyres are properly inflated, as under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption. Remove any unnecessary weight or cargo carriers from your roof, as these create drag and decrease fuel efficiency. By planning and preparing, you can optimise your fuel efficiency and make your journey more cost-effective.
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Shift gears manually
While automatic cars are designed to shift gears automatically, there are some instances where shifting gears manually can help save fuel. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:
Firstly, understand that higher gears generally offer more efficient fuel consumption. This is because the engine runs at a lower RPM (revolutions per minute) in higher gears, reducing fuel consumption. Therefore, shifting into the highest gear possible is often the most fuel-efficient option. However, higher gears may be unstable at lower speeds and in less-than-ideal road conditions, such as heavy rain or snow. They are also unreliable when climbing or descending steep hills, as the engine needs to work harder in these situations.
In situations where the road conditions are poor or you're driving on steep inclines, manually shifting into a lower gear can be more fuel-efficient. This is because the engine runs at a higher RPM in lower gears, providing more torque and power to navigate challenging conditions. Additionally, using a low gear when driving down a steep hill can help save your brakes from excessive wear.
To manually shift gears in an automatic car, you can increase or decrease your speed. As your speed increases, the car will naturally shift into higher gears. Conversely, slowing down will cause the car to shift into lower gears. You can also use the "'1' and '2'" on your shift lever to manually select the lower gears, similar to a manual transmission. This can be useful when you need more torque at lower speeds.
It's important to note that while shifting into neutral at stop lights may seem like a way to save fuel, it actually puts unnecessary wear and tear on your transmission. Instead, it's recommended to use features like cruise control and the speed limiter to maintain a steady speed and improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, try to avoid aggressive driving behaviours like rapid acceleration and hard braking, as these can significantly reduce your fuel economy.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to save fuel when driving an automatic car. Firstly, avoid aggressive driving habits such as rapid acceleration, speeding, and hard braking. Instead, accelerate gently and pull away slowly. Secondly, try to maintain a steady speed, especially on motorways, and avoid changing lanes frequently. Thirdly, remove any unnecessary weight from your car, such as roof racks or cargo carriers, as they create aerodynamic drag, reducing fuel efficiency. Finally, use cruise control or the speed limiter to maintain a consistent speed and avoid unnecessary acceleration or deceleration.
To maintain a steady speed in an automatic car, use cruise control when on flat, straight roads. This will help you avoid unnecessary acceleration or deceleration. Additionally, try to anticipate stopping by easing off the accelerator instead of braking suddenly.
Here are some additional tips to improve fuel efficiency:
- Keep your vehicle well-maintained, including regular oil changes, cleaning air filters, and ensuring your tyres are properly inflated.
- Plan your trips efficiently by combining multiple errands into one journey and using route planning tools to avoid congested areas.
- When stopped in traffic, shift into neutral and idle your engine to reduce fuel consumption.
- Avoid driving with your foot resting on the brake pedal, as this immediately impacts fuel economy and places an unnecessary burden on the engine.
Driving in the city often involves a lot of stop-start traffic, which can impact fuel efficiency. To save fuel in these conditions:
- Avoid traffic lights and intersections, as they can cause frequent stops and starts.
- Plan your route in advance to minimise distance and time spent in traffic.
- Shift into neutral when slowing down or stopped to reduce the engine's workload and fuel consumption.
