With high fuel prices, it is helpful to reduce the consumption to a
minimum. The following are a few tips to help you economise and, at the
same time, reduce your carbon dioxide emissions (and those of other
pollutants).
- Drive off, as soon as the car has started. It is a myth that you
have to run the car for a minute or two before driving off; in fact, a
cold engine ticking over causes more wear because the oil pump is less
efficient at low speeds with thick lubricant.
- If you have to get out the car to close the garage door or gates,
switch off the engine.
- On manual cars, accelerate at half-gas and move the gears up at
2500-3000 rpm. A very gentle acceleration consumes more fuel over a
given distance than a reasonable one, but "foot hard down" is even
worse.
- On level roads, try to maintain a steady speed by carefully dosing
the accelerator to a constant position, in top gear.
- On declines, lift your foot to maintain a constant speed.
- On gentle climbs, give a little more gas to maintain a constant
speed.
- On steeper climbs, change down in time and keep the revs up to about
2500-3000 rpm
- If fitted with cruise control, use it on the motorways and dual
carriageways but, if manual gearbox, take it out if the engine labours
when climbing. Never use cruise control on country roads.
- If above about 50 km/h, make sure all the windows are tight shut;
the drag increases according to the cube of the speed. The
air-conditioning causes a smaller increase in consumption than the drag
cause by a single window open at 60 km/h.
- On motorways, keep under the speed limit. It is easy to maintain a
constant speed between 90 and 95 km/h and you rarely have to brake,
accelerate or overtake. You arrive at your destination relaxed and it
takes only 2 stress-free minutes extra to go 150 km -
and you don't even have to brake when you see a cop car!
- If the car has been sitting in the sun, in urban conditions, switch
off the air-conditioning and move off with all the windows open; when
the car has reached the outside temperature, you can then close the
windows and switch on the air-conditioning, usually in about 5 minutes.
- If the lights turn red against you, switch off the motor and switch
it on again as soon as they turn yellow. Never pump the accelerator when
restarting.
- If the lights are already red when approaching them, cruise up to
them in top gear with your foot off the accelerator. Do not change down
until you have stopped. Declutch when the engine speed has dropped to
1000 rpm.
- Never creep forward while waiting for the lights or in a queue, even
if the car in front has done so; it does not matter if there is a gap
and it allows you to move off more smoothly on the green.
- Always anticipate what is going to happen both behind and in front
of you and adjust your driving accordingly. Look ahead and behind as far
as many metres as at least 5 times your speed. For example, if you are
travelling at 100 km/h, look at everything that is happening at least as
far as 500 m ahead of you and behind you. Anticipate, anticipate and
anticipate.
- Remember that every time you touch your brake pedal, you waste fuel,
because the kinetic energy of the car is lost in heat (except in hybrid
cars). Try to adjust your speed so that you don't have to stop (except
where it is mandatory, of course!). Keep your driving fluid and the
fluid in your tank lasts longer!
- Remove heavy items that you don't need, such as a heavy box of work
tools on a Sunday outing. (If your mother-in-law weighs 100 kg, leave
her behind, as well!)
- Fill up in the morning, especially in hot weather. The pump measures
the litres, but the amount of energy you buy is proportional to the
weight. As the density of fuel drops considerably when warm, even a
degree or two will give you more mileage.
- Keep the fuel tank as full as is reasonable. There is more
evaporation in an empty tank. If the tank is near-empty, fill it up.
- Never fill up with a petrol grade with a higher octane number than
is recommended for your car.
- Make sure your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer's
specifications (or a maximum of 0.1 bar more) with the tyres cold.
- Use the right grade of oil for your engine and transmission.
- Make sure the oil level is correct; avoid over-filling.
- Make sure the air filter is clean; dusty weather can easily clog
them.
- Never be tempted by miracle schemes to reduce your consumption; if
it sounds too good to be true, be sure it is.