Have you ever wondered how you can save fuel while driving your car every day? There are many ways we can use to reduce fuel consumption while protecting the environment. One of the most effective methods of saving fuel is using ecodriving rules. In the following post you will find an explanation of this concept and 9 specific ways to save fuel.
What is ecodriving?
Ecodriving is a driving technique that aims to minimize the negative impact on the natural environment. The mentioned method involves conscious and economical use of fuel and reducing exhaust emissions.
The rest of the entry discusses the most important rules related to ecodriving. Remember that their consistent use can result in significant fuel savings. Not to mention something even more important, which is reducing the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Ways to save fuel – ecodriving rules
Let’s start with the fact that ecodriving is not about the way of driving itself. It is also influenced by the condition and preparation of the car. Below we will discuss the most important elements that contribute to economical vehicle operation.
Smooth ride
Smooth driving involves maintaining a constant speed and smooth acceleration and braking. The idea is to avoid both sudden braking and acceleration. Both can lead to higher fuel consumption and, therefore, higher exhaust emissions.
Constant, moderate speed allows for more efficient fuel combustion and reduces the emission of harmful substances. It is worth adding that smooth driving contributes to greater traveling comfort and road safety.
Correct RPM range
First of all, you should bear in mind that the optimal RPM range depends on several factors. These include, among others: engine type, driving speed and road conditions. The basic rule is to keep the engine at such speeds that the car consumes the least fuel. If you are wondering how to assess this, we suggest that they are usually marked in green on the tachometer.
Vehicles equipped with an on-board computer use an economizer or instantaneous fuel consumption indicators to inform the driver about these parameters. To maintain a constant speed and optimal engine speed, you can also use cruise control. This device automatically maintains the speed and engine revolutions at the appropriate level, resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
Finally, we will add that it is also important to adjust the revolutions to the driving speed. At lower speeds, e.g. in the city, you can keep the revs lower, but at higher speeds (e.g. on the highway) you may need to increase the revs.
Anticipating traffic situations
The idea is to be ready for specific situations and respond appropriately to changing road conditions. How to do it? The easiest way is to observe traffic lights and traffic. On this basis, you can predict the moment when the traffic lights will change and adjust your speed, avoiding sudden braking or acceleration. This way you will be able to maintain a smooth ride and reduce fuel consumption.
Another example may be appropriate planning of maneuvers, for example changing lanes or joining traffic. By signaling your intentions in advance, you allow other drivers to adjust their driving, so you can all keep things moving smoothly.
Turning off the engine during long stops
Turning off the engine is recommended in situations where you expect to be parked for a longer period of time. This may include, for example, waiting at a railway crossing.
Turning off the engine during long stops has several benefits. Firstly, it reduces fuel consumption and emissions because the engine does not run aimlessly. Secondly, it reduces noise and air pollution around the vehicle. Third, turning off the engine can also help extend its life.
However, remember that turning off and restarting the engine should be done under appropriate conditions. First, make sure the vehicle is in a safe place and that turning off the engine will not result in loss of control. Additionally, it is not recommended to frequently turn the engine off and on at short intervals. This may lead to greater consumption of fuel and starting components. So if you are stuck in a traffic jam that is regularly moving forward, then turning off the engine is not recommended.
Using GPS
Using GPS navigation is helpful not only when we do not know the way to the destination. It is also useful when we want to find a route that will be the shortest and the most effective. GPS can help you determine optimal routes that take into account both travel time and minimum fuel consumption.
In addition, GPS provides valuable information about current road traffic. This allows us to avoid heavy traffic areas and choose smoother routes. This, in turn, can help to reduce fuel consumption.
Regular technical inspections
A car technical inspection is a process during which various elements of the vehicle are checked. The purpose of the inspection is to make sure that the vehicle is in appropriate technical condition and meets road safety requirements. Regular technical inspections are very important in the context of ecodriving – they affect the energy efficiency of the vehicle.
MOTs detect and repair any faults or problems that may affect the vehicle’s performance. Correct wheel alignment, clean air and fuel filters and an efficient ignition system can also contribute to lower fuel consumption. This inspection also includes checking the tire pressure. Proper tire pressure is crucial for fuel-efficient driving, as low pressure can lead to increased rolling resistance and increased fuel consumption. Regularly checking tire pressure and properly adjusting them helps save fuel.
Regular technical inspections also enable exhaust emissions to be monitored and maintained at the appropriate level. Proper operation of the exhaust system, catalytic converter and other elements reduces emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Refueling with good quality fuel
Low-quality fuel may contain impurities and deposits that negatively affect engine performance. By taking care of the quality of fuel, we work to our advantage – thanks to this, the engine runs more efficiently and, as a result, consumes less fuel.
In addition, lower quality fuel may contain less energy per unit volume. This means that the vehicle will have to burn more fuel to achieve the same power. Consequently, refueling with good quality fuel helps reduce fuel consumption.
It is worth adding that better fuel quality also means a higher price. But let’s look at it in the long run – the savings that result from lower fuel consumption and lower repair costs outweigh these initial expenses.
Keeping the trunk tidy
Not everyone realizes that this is important from the point of view of economical driving. It is quite a simple relationship that the more things carried in the trunk, the greater the weight of the vehicle. In turn, greater mass requires more fuel to accelerate and maintain speed. As a result, we burn more fuel.
Disabling unnecessary feature
This is an effective strategy for saving fuel in your car. Wondering what features you can minimize or completely disable to increase your vehicle’s energy efficiency? We’ll start with something the most obvious, air conditioning and heating. These are examples of the main sources of energy consumption in a car.
Additionally, avoid using multiple accessories at the same time, such as windows or electric mirrors or heated seats. They load the alternator and create additional difficulties for the engine. The situation is similar with the car radio – do not turn it on unnecessarily.
Summary
As you can see, saving fuel is not only beneficial for our wallet, but also for the environment. Implementing ecodriving principles can be an effective step towards ecological driving.
Also check out previous entries in this category:
Image sources:
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- Image by prostooleh on Freepik
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