Updated at: 09-08-2022 - By: Lucas

There is no need to acquire a new car to considerably lower your fuel use. You only need to be aware of any flaws and correct them. The variations can be significant, even within the same automobile, depending on how the driver acts, and the savings can be substantial, depending on how much you drive.

To begin moving, your car consumes petrol. When you brake, you waste the energy of the car, which results in wasted fuel. The main concept of a fuel economy drive is to brake as little as possible in order to waste as little of the car’s energy as feasible. This does not imply driving on the road with no breaks and endangering others in order to save fuel. However, it is necessary to follow the following guidelines:

1. GO easy with the acceleration pedal

What Happens To Your Fuel Efficiency When You Drive With Constant Braking And Accelerating-2

I don’t mean to accelerate as if you had eggs under the accelerator pedal, but I also don’t intend to accelerate faster than necessary. First and foremost, you must consistently accelerate, without abandoning the traffic light as if you were in the Fast and Furious movie, and without a leisurely start; doing so will not save you gasoline.

Second, it is important to understand that accelerating from 0 to 38 miles per hour consumes substantially more than accelerating from 30 miles per hour!

How much?

More than a third for an insignificant speed differential!

So, if your maximum speed in town is 30 miles per hour, you will notice a big reduction in consumption!

A 10% decrease in speed over a lengthy road outside of a city also results in a significant reduction in fuel usage.

And why speed up if you’re just going to stop at the next traffic light?

In other words, the more you limit the acceleration, the lower your consumption. Even on relatively empty roadways, some drivers from large cities average 24 31 miles per hour. Other drivers increase their speed to 43 50 miles per hour until the next traffic signal. Why?

2. Keep the engine at the correct RPM

The best way to utilize an engine when we want to have extremely good fuel consumption, cost, repair, and performance ratios is to use it at the minimum limit of the optimal speed regime. What does this mean? It means you have to get used to shifting gears fast, while keeping the engine at low rpms and without overspeeding it.

There is no general guideline because the sweet spot of each engine varies from car to automobile (usually anywhere between 1700 rpm and a little over 2, 500 rpm, depending on a variety of criteria such as diesel/petrol/cylinder) / classic engine or turbocharged engine, etc.). You must learn to sense this area if you want to see if you can cut gasoline use.

You can try the following exercise.

If the engine still responds to the speed at which it is held, you can keep the new lower level of speed. Return it to the previous speed range if it begins to exhibit signs of being at a very low rpm.

Most folks who consume too much fuel run their engines at very high RPMs without even realizing it. Of course, I do not recommend running the engine at low rpm because it will begin to tremble and you will waste gasoline money on other auto parts if you do this frequently.

3. Anticipate traffic

What Happens To Your Fuel Efficiency When You Drive With Constant Braking And Accelerating-3

Frequent accelerations, often followed by braking, result in greater fuel consumption, not only because the engine burns more fuel when accelerating, but also because all of the stored energy is lost during braking, which can occur only a few seconds away. If we can predict what will happen in a given situation, for example, by paying attention to the color and timing of traffic lights, we will not need to accelerate and brake as frequently, and we will keep the speed of movement relatively constant, so the engine will not need to burn fuel to turn it into an accelerating force.

Get used to glancing away in traffic. You left the traffic light, but 300 meters ahead is another red traffic light? Does it make sense to attain a high speed and then abruptly brake when you can reach a lesser speed and gradually slow down using the engine brake? Okay, maybe another automobile comes in front of you, but as long as you don’t move like a snail, you’ll have more advantages than disadvantages. If there is heavy traffic, attempt to balance your top speed with others who wish to pass you only to abruptly halt. And, of course, don’t be that driver!

4. Keep your distance from the car in front of you

Although it may appear to be an odd recommendation, keeping the proper distance from the front automobile will save fuel use, especially in urban areas. Why? Because you will be able to anticipate traffic much better if you allow two to three seconds between you and the automobile in front of you. The closer you go to the car in front of you, the more frequently you will brake and lose the movement energy you have already gathered. You have previously used fuel to obtain this energy.

5. Use the engine brake

You may easily deploy the engine brake if you anticipate traffic and maintain a safe distance. No, it is NOT a good idea to have the gearbox in neutral and the brake pedal depressed when approaching a traffic light. On the contrary, the engine brake should be engaged at all times, not just in bad weather or when traveling long distances. The impacts of using the engine brake can be discovered not only in the amount of fuel consumption, but also in the efficiency of braking and the level of wear on the brake pads.

6. Go easier with air conditioning

I don’t mean to go without air conditioning; that would be ridiculous, especially in the heat. But, if you don’t need it, it’s advisable to use the car’s ventilation as much as possible. To accomplish this, park your car in the shade if possible, or if you must, attempt to get the hot air out by driving with all the windows open for a brief amount of time before turning on the air conditioner.

Keep in mind that, depending on the engine, air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by 10% to 20%. You don’t have to give up your comfort, but don’t use it when you don’t need it. Driving with the windows open increases fuel consumption, especially at high speeds, so it is preferable to use the air conditioning rather than the windows to keep the car cool. However, in moderation.

7. Get rid of unnecessary things from your car

Surprisingly, many drivers are lugging at least 44 66 lbs behind them, which has nothing to do with the car. Clean the trunk, and if you’re driving in the city, don’t entirely fill your tank, but leave it somewhere in the center a third full, and generally avoid having unnecessary weights. If you have a luggage compartment, remove it while not in use; it significantly boosts your car’s fuel usage!

As an example, every additional 70 pounds will raise your car’s usage by around 1.5%. (the results differ depending on some other factors).

8. Pay attention to tires!

Tires should be inflated to the manufacturer’s standards; otherwise, you will not only increase fuel consumption, but you will harm the car’s occupants as well. To avoid unpleasant surprises, we recommend that you follow the directions of the car manufacturer exactly.

Then, using winter tires in the summer or vice versa will increase your car’s usage. Tires should be used during each season. Finally, if you can afford it, invest in fuel-efficient tires.

Only by paying attention to the tires may you save up to 10% on fuel!

9. Avoid the miracle devices that promise you a reduction in fuel consumption!

Certain chip tunings can boost performance and reduce fuel consumption, but they can modify the way your car pollutes and can cause other issues. On the contrary, practically all technologies that claim to reduce fuel usage fail to produce meaningful differences in consumption. Be wary of cons!

10. Change of filters and oil

A automobile with out-of-date oil and filters has a lower combustion ratio. Few drivers realize that in order to provide the same power as a properly maintained engine, the car’s fuel consumption naturally increases. A dirty (clogged) air filter, for example, can increase fuel usage by up to 12%.

What role do these pieces play and why should they be changed?

Engine oil has a substantial impact on engine performance, fuel consumption, and pollutants. As a result, the recommended interval for an oil change is every 9, 000 miles (depending on the kind of engine) or every 12 months. The value and role of filters is sometimes underestimated, with drivers changing them less frequently than they should. Any component of the car should be changed according to the manufacturer’s specifications for efficient and correct operation.

11. Avoid driving short distances!

I recall having to check for some information in a car manual, where I came across a certain paragraph that stuck with me. That text was. Fuel usage is approximately 12 miles per gallon for the first mile after starting the car. So, unless you have a very small distance to get to your destination, avoid driving; aside from the high fuel consumption, the engine can wear out soon.

12. Keep your speed between 37 – 62 miles per hour

Aerodynamic forces are modest at this speed range, according to physics. As you accelerate, the frictional force between the tires and the asphalt increases, requiring more fuel to keep up.

13. Stop the electric consumers of the car

Electric consumers can increase fuel consumption, so if you don’t need them, turn them off if you want better fuel economy.

14. Use a special oil for fuel economy

Using a certain type of oil for the car is an important aspect that contributes to high fuel economy. Low HTHS oil showed to be helpful for fuel economy, as did 0w 20 oil with A5/B5.