A car’s fuel efficiency depends on a lot of factors. While some of them are related to its technical specifications and condition, others depend on the driving habits. These habits are fuel efficient and adopting them will provide you with an additional edge. It will not only increase the mileage but emissions and maintenance costs will also be reduced.
Here we have mentioned some fuel efficient driving techniques that will help you in saving fuel.
Best Fuel Efficient Driving Techniques
The benefits of fuel efficient driving techniques are not limited to an individual. These habits, maintenance cost, fuel consumption and vehicular emissions are interconnected. If you are implementing effective ways to save car fuel, you can leverage from all of this at once. See the following habits that we have enlisted for you.
Don’t Leave Car Idling
A vehicle may not move while idling, but it does consume some fuel for as long as the engine stays on. Many drivers idle their cars when stuck in a traffic jam or when running a quick errand. Adopt a 60 seconds rule to avoid this wastage. Switch off the engine if you are stationary for more than 60 seconds, other than traffic jams. This can save you from wasting fuel and overheating your car engine more often.
Avoid Overloading
The additional weight that you are adding to your vehicle is directly effective on fuel efficiency. Every kilogram of weight added to the car will demand more power, and in turn, consume more fuel. Moreover, it will increase rolling friction, which will result in extra fuel combustion. Ensure that your car doesn’t have excessive load while travelling long distances.
Accelerate Adequately
Accelerating too much is one of the major reasons for excessive fuel consumption. The more you pedal, the more fuel is combusted to provide the required power. You can implement the following tips to learn adequate acceleration:
- Thumb rule: Aim that you will take at least five seconds to accelerate at a speed of 25 kmph.
- Mental trick: Imagine there is an egg placed under the pedal. If you press it vigorously it will break.
Keep Speed Steady
Rapid increase and decrease in speed cause engines to consume more fuel to meet energy requirements. This is why the mileage of cars is better on highways contrary to the city roads. To counter the steady speed issue, modern cars have cruise control features. It is a fuel efficient feature that maintains the working order and speed of cars.
Don’t Slam Brakes
Stopping a vehicle and accelerating it again will consume more power. Slamming brakes at every stop is not recommended. Rather you must maintain speed and slowly press brakes while maintaining a safe distance.
Use the ‘Seconds’ rule to practice this habit. If you see any object or pedestrian on the road at a distance, count for seconds and press brakes slowly. These seconds vary as per the car’s speed.
- For 57 to 88 kmph count for three seconds.
- For 88 to 120 kmph count for four seconds.
- In case of rain or heavy snow add 5 seconds more.
Reduce Heater/Air Conditioning Usage
Using a heater or AC when a car is idle is against fuel efficiency. Use an AC or heater at a comfortable temperature. Avoid running AC on too low temperatures when the car is idling. Try parking under a shade to reduce extreme weather impacts. Moreover, if the weather is pleasant, roll down the windows. However, while driving on the highway do not roll down the windows, as it will increase the drag and negatively impact fuel efficiency.
Use Eco-Driving Mode
Eco-driving is a mode in selected modern vehicles which avoids wastage of energy. It adopts a driving pattern that is constant and reduces excessive energy consumption. The main characteristics of this driving mode are; patterned accelerations and avoiding last minute braking. If your car has eco-driving mode, you can increase your fuel economy by 5%.
Protect from Extreme Temperatures
Extreme heat or cold can damage the working capacity of batteries. Lithium-ion batteries work on electrochemical processes that can be affected by extreme weather. You can charge your battery and start driving when it is warm, this will save preheating energy.
What Else Can You Do to Save Fuel?
Fuel efficiency is majorly dependent upon driving habits. But, there are few car maintenance habits that can also contribute to saving fuel. Go through the following car maintenance checklist that we have made keeping fuel efficiency in mind.
- Delay in oil change: The old oil turns into sludge and forces the engine to work harder. This requires more fuel for generating the same amount of energy.
- Tyre pressure: Reduced air pressure in tyres can also impact a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Be habitual of checking and refilling your car’s tyre pressure at least once a month.
- Additional modifications: Installing or modifying the basic shape of a car will affect both; its weight and shape. Therefore, it is suggested to keep your vehicle free from excessive weight.
We have mentioned all the tips for fuel efficient driving techniques that can support you in increasing your fuel economy. However, if fuel efficiency is important to you, then choose the most suitable one from our huge collection of used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s best cars blog for more information on fuel efficient habits.
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