How you drive can have an enormous impact on the amount of fuel your vehicle uses, meaning you could be wasting money. Here’s how…
Idling
When it comes to fuel consumption, there are few habits that are as wasteful as idling. It refers to leaving your car’s engine running, needlessly, when your car isn’t moving – such as when parked or in very heavy traffic. Just ten seconds of idling burns as much fuel as turning your engine off and back on again. If you idle too often, you could also damage your car’s engine – as it won’t reach the temperatures required to burn fuel; which means it can become clogged.
In addition, idling is absolutely horrendous for the environment and the climate.
Speeding
Excessive speeding means that your vehicle will face increased levels of drag. Which means, in turn, a higher rate of fuel consumption. Indeed, studies have shown that observing speed limits can improve fuel efficiency anywhere between 7% and 23%. Others suggest that speeding barely reduces total journey times on many British roads.
Heavy Loads
Generally speaking, a medium-sized vehicle’s mpg will worsen by roughly 1% for every 25 kilograms of weight that’s added to it. In which case, you should try to keep your vehicle as light as possible. This might not be possible when it comes to passengers, but it’s worth emptying your boot of things that don’t need to be in it. You should also remove things like roof racks when they’re not in use.
Braking
Unfortunately, braking necessarily wastes forward momentum. However, how you brake can make all the difference in the long term. The principle is simple – the harder you brake, the more fuel you’ll burn through. In which case, braking in advance, and gently, will always be better than doing it late and harshly.
Acceleration
The harder you accelerate, the more fuel your car will use. It’s a fact. In which case, you should get into the habit of gently applying pressure to your car’s accelerator and slowly building up your speed.
Gear Changes
The best way to improve your vehicle’s mpg is to drive in the highest possible gear, at the lowest possible speed (within the speed limit, of course). Quick gear changes, with the smallest amount of revs, is an art form. But it’s worth practicing, as it’ll make a significant difference in terms of your total fuel consumption.
Two Thirds Of Drivers Don’t Recognise Brake Warning Lights – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/two-thirds-of-drivers-dont-recognise-brake-warning-lights/
Car Insurance Costs Rose By 12% In Early February – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/car-insurance-costs-rose-by-12-in-early-february/