Mercedes Mullins
Driving an automatic car is easy and convenient, but it can cost you more on fuel than a manual car. However, advancements in technology have improved the fuel efficiency of automatic cars, and there are a number of driving habits and tricks you can adopt to further improve your car's mileage. From adjusting your acceleration and braking to making sure your tyres are properly inflated, there are many ways to increase the fuel efficiency of your automatic car.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressure | Ensure tyres are inflated to the correct pressure |
| Air conditioning | Avoid overusing the air conditioning |
| Traffic | Avoid traffic lights and busy intersections |
| Multiple trips | Combine multiple tasks into one trip |
| Cruise control | Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed |
| Speed | Avoid speeding and driving too slowly |
| Braking | Avoid slamming on the brakes |
| Acceleration | Accelerate slowly and steadily |
| Servicing | Get your car regularly serviced |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid aggressive acceleration and sudden braking
Aggressive acceleration and sudden braking can increase fuel consumption and decrease the safety of those on the road. According to data from the Accident Research Centre at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, each act of aggressive braking or acceleration increases fuel consumption by as much as half a gallon of fuel. Driving with aggressive acceleration and hard braking also increases wear and tear on vehicles, creating a greater need for repairs and compromising the vehicle's safety.
To avoid aggressive acceleration, you can gradually press down on the gas pedal instead of making sudden, jerky movements. It is also helpful to anticipate stopping, easing off the accelerator to slow down, rather than braking suddenly. Driving at a slower, consistent speed will also help to avoid aggressive acceleration. This is because the engine works harder to overcome wind resistance at higher speeds, burning up to 15% more fuel at 100 km/h and 25% more at 110 km/h. A steady speed of 50-90 km/h on the highway is best to achieve optimal fuel economy.
To avoid sudden braking, try to plan your route ahead of time to avoid stopping and starting, which puts pressure on your engine and burns more fuel. When approaching a red light or hill, try to slow down in advance rather than coming to a sudden stop. This will also help to avoid wear and tear on your brakes, increasing their lifespan.
Other tips to increase fuel efficiency in automatic cars include removing any unnecessary cargo from your vehicle, as this increases wind resistance and lowers fuel economy, and maintaining proper tyre pressure, as flat or under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, making your car use more energy when moving.
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Maintain correct tyre pressure
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is one of the most important things you can do to increase the fuel efficiency of your automatic car. The air pressure in your tyres supports the entire weight of your car. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which means your car has to use more energy when in motion. This increases your vehicle's drag, making the engine work harder and increasing fuel consumption.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA found that for every 1% decrease in tyre pressure, there was a 0.3% reduction in fuel economy. Tyre pressure that is 10% under the recommended level increases fuel consumption by 2%, and 20% under inflation increases fuel consumption by 4%. Tyre pressure that is 40% below the recommended level increases the tyre’s fuel consumption by 8%.
Tyres naturally lose 1 pound per square inch (PSI) of pressure per month. For every 1 PSI drop in your average tyre pressure, you lose about half of a percentage point of efficiency in your fuel economy. Temperature changes can also affect tyre pressure. For every 5 °C drop in temperature, there is a 2% loss in tyre pressure. Your tyre inflates by about 2% with a 5 °C rise in temperature.
To maintain correct tyre pressure, regularly check the air pressure in your tyres and adjust as needed. You can usually find the proper tyre pressure for your vehicle on a sticker in the driver’s side door. Over-inflating your tyres will not increase fuel efficiency and can potentially damage your tyres.
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Plan your route to avoid traffic and intersections
Planning your route in advance is a great way to increase the fuel efficiency of your automatic car. You can use Sat Nav tools like Google Maps to find the best route, which will help you bypass congestion, busy traffic lights, intersections, and pedestrians. This is especially important in cities, where you are likely to encounter stop-start traffic, which puts pressure on your engine and burns more fuel.
Planning your route will help you avoid unnecessary miles and reduce the time spent idling in traffic. You can also use these tools to plan your route to avoid peak traffic times, such as school pick-up and drop-off times. This will help you save fuel, as well as time.
Planning your route in advance can also help you to combine multiple trips into one, reducing the number of journeys you need to make. This is another effective way to save fuel and reduce emissions.
Some fleets use software applications and telematics to optimize their routes and avoid unnecessary miles. For example, the United Parcel Service (UPS) uses fleet telematics data to determine the most efficient delivery routes for their vehicles.
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Combine multiple trips
Combining multiple trips is a great way to increase the fuel efficiency of your automatic car. Here are some tips to help you optimize your journeys:
Plan your trips in advance
Before setting out, take a few minutes to plan your route. Tools like Google Maps can help you find the most efficient path, allowing you to bypass congestion, avoid traffic lights and intersections, and save time and fuel. Planning ahead can also help you identify opportunities to combine multiple errands into a single trip, reducing the number of individual journeys you make.
Combine errands and tasks
Whenever possible, try to combine multiple tasks or errands into a single trip. For example, you could schedule grocery shopping and picking up your kids from their after-school activities on the same outing. This approach will help you save fuel and make your daily routine more time-efficient.
Take advantage of carpools and ride-sharing
Consider joining a carpool or participating in ride-sharing programs. By sharing driving duties with others, you can significantly reduce your weekly fuel costs and the wear and tear on your vehicle. Many urban areas have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes that are less congested, further improving your fuel economy. If it's an option, using public transportation can also help you save fuel and reduce your environmental impact.
Work from home if possible
Telecommuting, or working from home, is another effective way to reduce your fuel consumption. Every day you work from home means less fuel used and fewer emissions. It's a win for both your wallet and the environment.
Maintain proper tyre pressure
Keep your tyres properly inflated. Flat or under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, making your car less fuel-efficient. Regularly check and adjust your tyre pressure to ensure optimal fuel efficiency.
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Get your car regularly serviced
Getting your car serviced at regular intervals is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your vehicle is as fuel-efficient as possible. While it may be tempting to put off servicing, especially if your car seems to be running fine, regular maintenance can improve fuel efficiency by almost 10%.
During a service, a mechanic will check that all components of your car are in good working order. This includes checking the engine oil, transmission oil, air filters, spark plugs, and tyres. All of these parts, when not properly maintained, can decrease your car's fuel efficiency. For example, old engine oil will struggle to lubricate the moving parts of your engine, and dirty air filters will restrict airflow to the engine, both of which will negatively impact your car's fuel economy.
Tyres are another important factor in fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tyres will cause your car to drag, and your engine will have to work harder to move the car, using more fuel. Over-inflated tyres can affect handling, which may also impact fuel efficiency. It is important to check your tyre pressure regularly and ensure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for your vehicle. This information can usually be found on the driver's door jamb.
In addition to the above, modern cars often have instrumentation that can alert you when a service is due. It is a good idea to pay attention to these alerts and book a service as soon as possible. By keeping on top of your car's maintenance, you can ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Regularly servicing your car can improve fuel efficiency by almost 10%. Check your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, and that your air filters are not clogged with dust and dirt.
Driving style has a big impact on fuel efficiency. Avoid aggressive acceleration, sudden braking, and overspeeding. Drive at a steady speed, and avoid stop-start traffic.
Try to avoid roads with lots of traffic lights and intersections, as these will cause you to stop and start a lot. Plan your route to avoid peak traffic.
All car engines have a "sweet spot" of efficiency. Keep your engine well-maintained, with fresh engine oil, transmission oil, and clean air filters.
Under-inflated tyres will cause more rolling resistance, leading to a decline in fuel efficiency. Check your tyres are at the correct pressure, which you can usually find on the driver's door jamb.
