This is something I got from the Internet....it sort of make sense...so that's the reason I want
to share this... (alternatively you can copy the picture on the left and zoom)
Fuel consumption has a lot to do with the car you buy, but whatever you drive there are things you can do to save money and reduce energy use, CO2 emission and pollution.
Below are the simple ideas that you can try out for yourself and feel the difference:-
BEFORE DRIVING:-
1) Before You Drive
- Lose excess weight and streamline
- Don't start the engine until you're ready to go as idling wastes fuel and the engine warms up
more quickly when you're moving.
In the winter, scrape ice rather than leave the car idling to warm up.
2) Don't Get Lost!!!
-Plan ahead of unfamiliar journeys to reduce the risk of getting lost and check the traffic news
before you leave
3) Combine Short Trips
- Cold starts use more fuel so it pays to combine errands such as buying the paper, dropping
off the recycling, or collecting the kids.
4) Consider Alternative Mode of Transport
- Consider alternatives: if its a short journey (less than a km) could you walk or cycle rather than taking a car? Besides..you'll be exercising.
WHILE DRIVING:-
1) Stick to Speed Limits
- Speeding can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town
and increases pollution.
-Driving at 70mph (112km/h) uses up to 9% more fuel than 60mph (96.5km/h), and up to
15% more than at 50mph (80.46km/h).
-Cruising at 80mph (128.7km/h) can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph (112km/h)
2) Easy Does It
- Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
Decelerate smoothly - when you have to slow down or to stop, decelerate smoothly by
releasing accelerator in time, leaving the car in gear.
- If you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better; stopping than starting again
uses more fuel than rolling.
3) Try Changing Up at an Engine Speed of Around 2,000rpm (petrol) 2,500rpm (diesel)
4) Cut the Aircon
- Air conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects
are less noticeable. So if its a hot day, open the windows around town and save the air
conditioning for high speed driving.
- Also, electrical loads increase fuel consumption, so turn off your heated rear windscreen,
demister blowers and headlights when not required.
5) Don't Be Idle
- If you do get caught in a queue, avoid wasting fuel - turn the engine off if it looks like you
could be waiting for more than 3 minutes
COASTING:-
1) Although it used to be quite a common practice to save fuel, rolling downhill or approaching a
junction with the car out of gear is inadvisable because the driver doesn't have full control of the
vehicle.
You Can Lose the ability to Accelerate Out of Tricky Situations.
You lose engine braking which risks brake fade on downhill stretches - overheated brakes
require harder pedal pressures to stop the vehicle.
With changes in vehicle fuel systems, coasting won;t save fuel these days either.
Modern diesel engines also have the ability to shut off the fuel when you take your foot off the
accelerator.
Take your foot off the accelerator and the ECU cuts the fuel supply to the injectors anyway so
there's nothing to be gained by coasting.
Modern car with electronic engine management - fuel and ignition systems are effectively
combined and controlled by one Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
MAINTENANCE:-
1) Get the car serviced regularly (according to the manufacturer's schedule) to maintain engine
efficiency.
2)Engine Oil: make sure you use the right specification engine oil (check the handbook
3) Tyre : Check tyre pressures regularly and before long journeys; under inflated tyres create more
rolling resistance and so use more fuel (check the handbook and increases pressures for heavier
loads as recommended)
A set of tyres that are 10psi under-inflated will have the same effect as increasing the cost of fuel by 3%
DON't DRIVE -CARPOOL
1) Isn't it obvious? but this of course requires planning, mutual effort and co-operation... Tedious in the beginning maybe...but definitely worth the effort...but don't be a cheapskate...everyone in the carpool should contribute what they can afford... :)
