There are a few simple changes you can make that can have a significant impact on fuel consumption;
Walk or cycle
Where possible walking or cycling instead of driving will not only save you fuel but has health benefits as well as being Eco-friendly!
Car sharing
As well as saving fuel, car sharing helps to reduce road congestion and is also Eco-friendly.
Route planning
Plan your route before starting your journey, combine shorter journeys and avoid high traffic flow times (where possible!)
Remove excess weight from the vehicle
Carrying unnecessary items in, or on, your vehicle increases the energy required to move it, using more fuel and therefore increasing fuel consumption.
Ensure tyre’s are at the correct pressures
Tyre’s at the correct pressure have a lower rolling resistance and use much less energy / fuel, not to mention being a lot safer.
Streamline
Reduce your vehicles air resistance by ensuring that cycle racks and roof racks / boxes are only fitted when in use – these items create a lot of turbulence and drag which has significant impact on fuel consumption.
Don`t speed!
Driving in a hurry hurts your fuel consumption, licence (penalty points) & pocket (fines, insurance & fuel costs). Keeping within the appropriate speed limit is not only a legal requirement, but safer for you & other road users and will reduce your fuel consumption.
Look ahead.
Better observation allows you to see up-coming hazards such as slowing / stopped vehicles, enabling you to react early and keep the vehicle`s momentum moving, reducing the need to brake and ultimately making journey times a little quicker as well as being safer & saving fuel.
Smooth Driving
Smooth acceleration & braking will reduce the amount of fuel you use to get to the speed you wish to travel at and does not add any significant time to your journey.
Anticipate changes in traffic – taking your foot off of the accelerator pedal when approaching red traffic lights will reduce the amount of fuel the engine uses (the engines in most modern cars use very little or no fuel when coasting in gear), reduces wear of braking components (which in turn saves money for replacement parts), and you may not be required to stop, therefore reducing the amount of acceleration required to get you back up to speed.
Vehicle servicing
Well serviced vehicles operate more efficiently, require less financial investment in fuel & replacement parts, are much more reliable and hold residual values.
This Article has been put together from notes taken at a speech by
Alan Phillips Eng. Tech, MSOE, MIRTE
Managing Director
Advance Vehicle Auditing Service Ltd