Fuel Saving Tips for Cars

[StuartDH]

Energy saving tips for cars have got to be a goodway of reducing the impact on the environment on than while we wait for better public transport or alternative fuels etc, so what energy saving tips have you got? To start things off:

Switch off your air conditioning to save 16%
Driving with your windows down can reduce MPG by 8%
Make sure your tyres are at the right pressure to save 1-2%
Energy efficient tyres can reduce fuel costs by 5%

[Paul mabbott]

Apart from the obvious ones that are taught for tests and may be legal requirements?
Keep your speed down!
Accelerate (and decelerate) slowly rather than in one big burst!

PS: and diesel is currently the most energy-efficient, easily available fuel.

[Jez]

Power Plus don't you know? once i can find the info about it as i'm busy looking for it i'll post it. Generally you can fit to your engine and it can reduce your C02 emissions by 40% he says as a humble cyclist.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

PS: and diesel is currently the most energy-efficient, easily available fuel.

Doesn't it depend to a large degree on what kind of driving you do?

Having had my car (2.0 litre petrol Nissan Primera) written off recently, I'm currently in a hired Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 litre diesel. On a recent 250 mile round trip, on motorways and sticking to about 60-65 mph as much as possible, the Vectra's on-board trip computer told me I'd achieved 43.4 mpg. In the Primera on similar trips I regularly used to get between 40 and 45 mpg (also according to the on-board trip computer - I've heard that these are not always completely reliable.)

I do seem to be getting a bit better fuel consumption on short, local journeys with the diesel than I was with the petrol but only by about 20% at most.

I confess I know nothing about such things but have always been told that petrol burns cleaner than diesel (as in less particulates) so doesn't that make the petrol vehicle cleaner too?

So it seems to me that if you mainly do long-distance motorway driving then petrol is best, but if you rarely get more than 10 miles from your front door then diesel is best.

Happy to be shot down on this by the more knowledgeable types!

Dave P.

[Blackbrook Eye]

How about a comunity bus for twitchers

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

How about a comunity bus for twitchers

How about a twitchy bus for commuters

[derekimo]

Planning ahead is the most useful thing. If you must make short trips save up a group of them and do them all at once. Choose a route and time of day to travel that is less congested and allows you to cruise at a steady speed, acceleration is not your friend. Keep a good gap to the car in front so you can choose how to brake and accelerate and look well ahead so you can change speed gradually in response to the traffic.

Use the car as little as possible when it, the car, is cold. In its first couple of miles from cold the fuel consumption is very poor indeed. This is one of the reasons grouping journeys together is a good thing.

Weight is your enemy. Every kilogram you have to accelerate uses fuel. Don't carry anything you don't need to. Go on a diet .

Take your roof rack off when not in use, above 30 mph it will add significantly to your fuel bills and pollution.

When choosing a new car avoid automatics, only the audi multitronic gets close to manual efficiency.

I do most of the above, when I remember . Recently I dropped my motorway cruising speed and my fuel consumption is 2% better. Not bad for an automatic

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, it depends what type of pollution we're discussing. Diesel produces particulates. Petrol produces carbon and nitrogen oxides. If our biggest concern is enhanced climate change then petrol is the thing to warm.
Of course, far better to burn as little fossil fuel as possible!

Originally Posted by pressld2

...........I confess I know nothing about such things but have always been told that petrol burns cleaner than diesel (as in less particulates) so doesn't that make the petrol vehicle cleaner too?
................
Dave P.

[Tormentil]

# Start the engine only when ready to go & set off immediately. Avoid revving up & push in a manual choke as soon as possible.
# Control your speed as travelling at less than 15mph creates the most pollution. As your speed increases up to 60mph your level of pollution decreases. Travelling over 60mph increases your level of pollution again. 40-55 mph is the most economical speed. At 70 mph you use up to 30% more fuel than at 50 mph. Drive steadily & read the road to manouevre smoothly.
# Harsh acceleration and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and can cause increased wear and tear on the vehicle, especially brake pads & tyres.
# Get in the right gear, preferably top. Change before 2,500 revs per minute.
# Avoid idling. Shut off the engine when standing still for one minute or more.
# Check tyres monthly. A 7psi under-inflation wastes half a gallon per tank & will wear out your tyres faster.

[nightshade]

Diesel is better for long trips with a steady drive(plan your route and journey times) I have had 57mpg out of a 1.4 fiesta diesel but because I tow a trailer tent I now have a 1.6 fiesta diesel which(towing)is returning 51mpg and solo around 55mpg this betters my 1.3 petrol fiesta which returned around 45mpg
solo and 40 towing a camping trailer