(11) Fuel-efficient Driving Techniques

The following bullet points are the eleven fuel-efficient driving techniques that will maximise your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. These techniques will guide you on saving petrol while driving a manual and an automatic car

Avoiding Rapid Acceleration and Braking

This is one of the most productive ways to save fuel while driving. Sudden acceleration and braking can significantly decrease fuel efficiency, as it requires more fuel to maintain high speeds and then slow down again. Instead, try to accelerate gradually and brake smoothly. This allows your engine to work more efficiently and can help you maintain a steady speed while driving, ultimately saving fuel.

Moreover, smooth driving can help prolong the life of your brakes and tires by reducing tears, saving you money in the long run. 

Use Cruise Control.

Cruise control is a feature in many vehicles that allows the driver to set a constant speed-increasing fuel efficiency without pressing the accelerator pedal. To use cruise control, you typically need to press a steering wheel or dashboard button to turn it on. Once it’s on, you can use the set button to set the desired speed. You can press the off button or brake pedal to turn off the cruise control. The car will then automatically maintain that speed without the need for you to press the accelerator.

It’s important to note that cruise control is typically used on the highway and not in stop-and-go traffic or city driving, as it may not be safe in those situations.

Furthermore, it is essential to be aware of the traffic and road conditions and make sure to disable the cruise control when it is unsafe.

Lighten your Load

Lightening your load means removing unnecessary items from your vehicle to reduce weight. A lighter car requires less energy to move and can improve fuel efficiency. To lighten your load, you can start by removing any items from the trunk or back seat that you don’t need. This includes golf clubs, tools, or other sports equipment. You can also remove any extra items from the roof rack or on the vehicle’s exterior.

It’s also worth noting that larger, heavier items in your car can significantly impact fuel efficiency more than smaller items. For example, a set of golf clubs may weigh only a few pounds, but a spare tire can weigh 50 or more.

Remember that every 100 pounds of weight reduction can result in a 1% improvement in fuel economy. However, it’s also important to note that the impact on fuel efficiency will depend on the weight of your car and the specific items you’re removing.

Use Overdrive Gears

Using overdrive gears can help improve fuel efficiency while driving on the highway. Overdrive is a gear ratio in the transmission that allows the engine to run at a lower RPM (revolutions per minute) while the vehicle moves at a higher speed.

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It’s important to note that overdrive gears are typically only used on the highway when driving at a steady speed. Using overdrive gears in stop-and-go traffic or while driving on winding roads is not recommended. Nevertheless, be aware of the weight of your vehicle and the road conditions, as heavy loads and steep inclines can affect the efficiency of the overdrive gears.

Avoid High Speeding

Avoiding high speeds is an effective way to improve fuel efficiency. When you drive at high speed, your car’s engine gets overworked to maintain that speed, which can lead to increased fuel consumption.

The relationship between speed and fuel efficiency is not linear, meaning that fuel consumption increases exponentially as the speed increases. For example, driving at 75 mph may consume up to 25% more fuel than driving at 65 mph.

It’s important to note that the optimal speed for the best fuel economy will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Generally, driving at or below the posted speed limit is recommended to maximise fuel efficiency.

Always Plan your Route

Planning your route can help improve fuel efficiency by avoiding stop-and-go traffic and taking the most direct route. When you’re stuck in traffic or driving on winding roads, your car’s engine has to work harder to maintain speed, which can lead to increased fuel consumption.

Here are a few tips for planning a fuel-efficient route:

• Use a GPS or mapping app: These tools can help you plan the most direct route to your destination, considering real-time traffic conditions.
• Avoid peak traffic times: Plan your trip during off-peak hours to avoid heavy traffic.
• Avoid toll roads: Toll roads can add extra mileage and cost to your trip.
• Avoid winding roads: Winding roads can slow you down, increase fuel consumption, and make your trip longer.
• Combine errands: If you have multiple errands, plan your route so you can complete them all in one trip.

Car Idling is Not Good

Avoiding idling is an effective way to improve fuel efficiency. Idling refers to when a vehicle’s engine is running, but the car is not in motion. When a vehicle is idling, it is using fuel but not going anywhere.

Idling for an extended time can burn more fuel than turning the engine off and on again. It’s also not good for the environment, as idling vehicles emit pollutants into the air.

Here are a few recommendations to help you avoid idling:

• Turn off the engine when stopped: If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine to save fuel.
• Use public transportation: If you have the option, consider taking public transportation to avoid idling in traffic.
• Use eco-friendly driving techniques: such as anticipating stops, coasting to a stop, and avoiding excessive idling when possible.
• Use Remote starter: If your car has a remote starter, you can start the engine and warm up the vehicle before you get in.
• Use public charging stations: If you drive an electric vehicle, avoid idling by using public charging stations instead of idling your car to charge.

Use Right Motor Oil

Motor oil lubricates the engine’s moving parts, reduces friction, and prevents wear and tear. The oil’s viscosity, which is its resistance to flow, is a critical factor in engine lubrication and fuel efficiency. Using the appropriate grade of motor oil can help improve fuel efficiency.

Each vehicle manufacturer has specific recommendations for the grade of motor oil that should be used in their engines. Typically, these recommendations can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the oil filler cap.

Using motor oil with the correct viscosity for your vehicle can help improve fuel efficiency by reducing friction within the engine. If the oil is too thick, it can increase friction and drag on the engine, decreasing fuel efficiency. If the oil is too thin, it can’t provide adequate lubrication, leading to increased engine wear and tear.

It’s important to note that using the incorrect grade of motor oil can cause damage to the engine, so it’s essential to use the grade of oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, regularly checking and changing the oil according to the manufacturer’s schedule can also help to improve fuel efficiency and protect the engine.

Keep your Tires Inflated

Keeping your tires properly inflated is another crucial step in improving fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%. When tires are underinflated, they create more rolling resistance, which means the engine has to work harder to move the vehicle, resulting in decreased fuel economy.

To keep your tires properly inflated, you should check the tire pressure regularly, at least once a month, and before long trips. You can find the suggested tire pressure for your vehicle in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb.

It’s important to note that temperature changes can affect tire pressure, so it’s a good idea to check the pressure when the tires are cold before driving. You can use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure, or many service stations have air pumps that you can use for free.

Additionally, underinflated tires can get scratched out more quickly and can be dangerous as they can cause poor handling and braking. Keeping your tires properly inflated can also help extend your tires’ life and improve your vehicle’s overall safety.

Good Fuel Means Good Fuel Economy

Using the correct fuel for your vehicle can help improve fuel efficiency. Each car has specific fuel recommendations, found in the owner’s manual or on the fuel filler cap.

For example, if your vehicle requires gasoline, it is essential to use the recommended octane rating. Using a lower octane fuel than recommended can cause the engine to knock or ping, decreasing fuel efficiency. Additionally, using a higher octane fuel than recommended can also be a good use of money, as it will not provide any extra benefits for the engine.

It is essential to use diesel fuel for diesel engines, as it has different properties than gasoline. Using gasoline in a diesel engine can cause severe damage and may not provide the same fuel efficiency as diesel fuel. If you drive an electric vehicle, it is vital to use the recommended type of charging station and charging cable.

It’s important to note that using the wrong fuel can cause damage to the engine and can void the vehicle’s warranty. Always check the owner’s manual or consult a professional mechanic if you have any doubts about the type of fuel to use.