There are numerous factors affecting a car's MPG (miles per gallon) and although some vehicles may claim to have an excellent MPG rating, it is still down to the driver to ensure they are meeting this figure. By following these tips it is possible to save as much money as possible every year.
Driving Style
Whether you own a small economical car or you are having a week's luxury car hire in a fuel-guzzling convertible, the biggest cause of inefficient driving is down to the driver. Below are a few common mistakes made by drivers, that lead to poor fuel efficiency -
1. Aggressive stop-start driving
Many drivers make the mistake of braking and accelerating too hard. This is often because the driver is in a rush to get to their destination! However, research reveals that in fact heavy acceleration and breaking generally only reduces travel-time by about 4% whereas fuel consumption increases it by a massive 40%. Slow acceleration and gentle breaking is the way to combat this wastage.
2. Selecting the correct gear
By travelling in 3rd gear when it is possible to be in 4th, the engine is actually being forced to work harder and burning more fuel than is necessary. By shifting up to the highest gear at around 2000-2500rpm is a good idea as long as the driver doesn't accelerate harder than normal in order to get there. Of course it is also possible to be in a gear that is too high for the conditions, for example travelling up a hill in a gear that is too high will force the car to struggle. If this is noticed then it is best to shift down.
3. Don't idle
The MPG when the engine is running and the isn't car moving is 0, which means that if the car is stationary for in excess of a minute it is wise to turn the engine off (except in traffic of course). It actually takes a negligible amount of fuel to then switch the engine back on again.
4. Maintain a steady speed
Constantly altering speed is hugely inefficient. In fact driving at 65mph on the motorway as opposed to 75mph will save around 10-15% in fuel. Speeding is not only bad from a safety point of view, it is also an inefficient driving style.
Maintenance & General Tips
A well-maintained car will also aid efficiency. Regularly servicing a vehicle, for example, will improve efficiency. Obviously in certain instances this may not be possible, for example when investing in car hire. However if the driver owns the vehicle then there are other measures that can be utilised to keep the car in tip-top condition -
1. Check the tyre pressure
Tyres actually lose about 1psi/month in normal weather and even more throughout the Winter. Under-inflated tyres will increase the vehicles friction with the surface of the road, which causes the engine to work. This can make a substantial difference to fuel economy, reducing it by as much as 5 or 6%. It is important to refer to the car's manual to find the correct tyre pressure, as most vehicles will differ slightly. Once the correct pressure is identified then the tyres can be pumped up or down at a local garage.
2. Carrying unnecessary weight
Extra weight in a car will be that greater acceleration will be necessary which will increase fuel consumption. Despite this many drivers are guilty of carrying excess weight in their car all the time! Unnecessary weight may include a roof racks or items in the boot of the car.
3. Change the air filters
It is recommended that an air filter is changed on a vehicle every 5000 miles. Simply changing the filter can boost efficiency by as much as 10% so the fuel savings will be worth the minimal expense of the filter. Fitting a fuel filter is usually relatively simple, and can be achieved by following an online tutorial.
4. Shut the windows at higher speeds
When travelling faster than 55mph it is important to shut windows, as keeping them open will cause an increased drag.
Following just a few of these tips should increase fuel efficiency substantially.
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