Economical ways to drive?
| Related: | Travel, Flights & Holidays•Motoring•Fuel |
We all know some of the basics about ways to drive to save fuel .... the 'soft' pedal technique, no hard acceleration, no undue braking etc ... but I was talking to a driving instructor today ( he was only recently qualified ) and he was talking about new instructions called 'eco driving' where learners are taught to actively miss gears when changing up i.e. second to fourth and so on.
I must admit that this is something I have done for years and admittedly more latterly since I have had the large engine diesel with great torque flexibility allowing gears to be missed.
Can anyone confirm that this is a modern day technique and actively taught to learners? And has anybody tried the recently introduced Shell Petrol 'Fuelsave' where they promise a saving of one litre per tankful?
Responses (9)
I only learned to drive five years ago, motorbike before that, and I was taught that by my instructor from day one! I learned with BSM.
Not tried the new petrol, hadn't heard of it.
I do it too, Snoopy, but I certainly didn't learn it from my driving instructor. Nobody worried about things like that 40 years ago!
Haven't heard of the new petrol. Do you know how it's supposed to work? And is it more expensive?
Hi Fruitcake and Feline123 ..... Shell Fuelsave has been out several months now and I have to admit that the first tank full in my diesel car seemed to go on for ages but that could have been wishful thinking! As far as I know, there was no increase in price pointing on the fuel. I also have the Shell Drivers card which acts a bit like a Tesco Clubcard but to be honest the amount of fuel coupons that I have received back has been negligible. But I have to say that my car always seems to drive smoother on Shell fuels. I have added a Shell link below ... worth a gander.
http://www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/products_services/on_the_road/fuels/fuelsave/unleaded/
Very interesting, Snoops. I don't use a lot of petrol so I just tend to get it at Tesco's when I'm shopping as it saves an extra journey and I get my Clubcard points. Also they have that good offer periodically when you get 5p off a litre when you spend £50 in the store.
I have, however, forwarded the link to Mr F who drives past a lot more petrol stations than I do and could probably get it without going out of his way.
Fruity, I can't believe you and I hadn't heard of this - we're normally so on the ball!
True, Feline, but we're only almost perfect!
I have used fuel save and found it a great saver especially on the motorway where the savings can be more felt.
I got taught to change multiple gears by my instructor 10 years ago but didn't know that it was to cut fuel usage. Nice to know that though so thanks Snoopy. My car is a diesel so I've not tried Fuelsave. It does rather seem too good to be true though doesn't it.
I haven't tried Fuelsave but I have heard it claimed that it can give quite a few extra MPG on motorway driving. It's expensive though - about 3p a litre more than standard petrol so you would have to do a high mileage to benefit. There is a diesel equivalent called V-Power again more expensive but claimed to give better fuel economy and better acceleration (although you presumably shouldn't be doing that too much if you are trying to be economical). I'm a bit suspicious of fuel companies that are trying to get you to buy less fuel so I'm pretty sure that they must recoup the cost somewhere along the line. Weather, tyre pressures, gear changing, traffic and the number of passengers all make a difference to fuel economy so it's very difficult to judge whether one fuel is better than another. If you have to drive out of your way to get it, that must also negate any savings.
In some cases it is probably better to re-chip the car (ie change the electronic chip used for diesel engine management) which can give better running and fuel economy, but the cost means you would have to run it for a lot of miles to recoup the outlay.
BTW - washing the car is supposed to make it slip through the air better and thus save fuel!
All good points there, Sidesalad.
Oh dear, I hardly ever wash my car!
V-Power is strictly for the well heeled officianados who want the very best for their car. And it is several pence per litre dearer so I have never used it. And you are right Sidesalad, tyre pressures and traffic both have a major influence on MPG. And another major MPG 'knocker down' that people forget about is switching on lights, wipers, heated screens, blower fans ... they all put extra demands on the engine power output via the alternator and thus use more fuel. I have proven this by ( using the cars MPG computer ) doing the same journey at the same time but one with all the above switched on and the other 'accessory naked' so to speak. The MPG was down 10-12%. People think that electrical accessories such as wipers, lights, heaters, heated screens run freely off the battery but they actually increase MPG.
Oh and you say washing it makes it slip through the air better. Must try that after I've stepped out of the shower .....
Have you had that shower yet Snoopy?
Yes Sidesaddle and it was a wonderful feeling!
It doesnt save that much to be honest.
The best way to save not only brake pads and petrol is to use the brakes lightly long before you reach a roundabout or stop.
Coasting although some say it can be dangerous is another especially down hills or once built up a bit of speed although drivers behind dont always appreciate it!
There used to be a metal additive you could add to petrol that supposedly saved you petrol - it wash some sort of wire mesh with a metal reactant inside but personally i always thought it was a con a bit like the old pyramid you put your razor blades under in the 70's and it magically sharpened your blades by the power of the Pharaohs - maazing to think advertising like that was once allowed even more amazing that some people believed it!
Omendata is right here ... a 'soft pedal' touch with the total absence of unnecessary acceleration or agression will bring marvellous results in MPG!
Braking always takes energy from a cars system and has to be replaced by acceleration to restore momentum. That's not to say don't brake, just think ahead and break gently and not at the last minute. Do you remember in the past when some cars had 'vacuum' meters fitted on them? The lower use of vacuum throughout your journey usually meant better MPG ... you don't see these nowadays. I think people nowadays simply drive the demands of the day, the road and the people around them. Fuel economy just doesn't enter into it .. such a shame.
OH as for pyramid power, I too have heard of their blade sharpening powers. I know someone who has built a pyramid shaped shed in his garden ... if he pops a woman in their for ten mimutes or so, she comes out very keen ...
You mean you don't believe in the power of the pyramids, Omen...?!! :-)
I've always believed in the 'soft pedal touch', particularly when it comes to men!
As for pyramids, the only time I went to Egypt an arab guy offered to buy me for two camels.
I believe in the power of the mind - to obfuscate , trick and bamboozle even the most intelligent of man (and woman).
I guess that gave you the hump, eh, Feline?
Yes but it does show the Muslim mentality towards women which I find quite disgusting.
Nothing I would like more to see an entire country (Egypt? Haha) run by women - It would be amazing I think.
Even Thatcher had her good points!
Yes, Omen, I spent a bit of time in a Muslim country and found the attitude towards women deeply shocking!
Feline, my ex-husband was offered two camels for my daughter, wish he'd accepted! He was offered 3 for me, my daughter refused to speak to me for the rest of the day! :-)
Oh dear, I shall go into a decline now, knowing I'm only worth two camels. That really does give me the hump!
Apparently, the extra camel was down to only one thing...I had long naturally blonde hair...apparently blonde hair in a woman is highly prized! Go figure... :-)
Ha, fruits, glad I wasn't drinking a cup of earl grey at that point!
Oh good, wouldn't want you to end up with a damp hump! ;-)
Sorry, I'm getting like Omen now, just spat red wine all over the monitor! Mind you, I can remember the odd 'damp hump' with affection!
Ah, better damp than dry, huh?! :-)
I'm feeling a bit moist now - only cos I spilt my Lapsang souchong (I had to look that one up - hard spelling on that one!) - Ran out of Earl Grey - bummer!
Well, Omen, I'm sure your waterproof pantaloons enjoyed the change of flavour! ;-)
Nope i ripped the waterproof pantaloons on the edge of my breakfast bar this morning - bummer its been a terrible month so far!
))
Aww, luck really hasn't been on your side lately, Omen, has it?! Don't despair...I'm sure they do rip-proof waterproof pantaloons somewhere!
I am ebaying them as we speak!
No luck yet!
Might have to go the mens nappy (colostomy pants?) route - not too happy about that one though!
Tena Man?!
Damn you got it!
I am officially now Tena Man now all i need is something for the hot flushes!
>;o)
Oh, for a few seconds there I thought Tena Man was an anagram of Omendata, but it isn't quite...PHEW!!
My dad never drives fast on motor ways and he gets 60mpg in our nissan micra. My mum always drives fast and only gets 45mpg?
Hi Snoopy48
I had two different driving instructors (BSM) back in the mid 90's and was never taught this technique. I was obviously taught not to change down when stopping, but never when accelerating. I will have to give it a try (although with my mpv, it might be a stretch!)I'll let you know.
Tend to use Tesco for the fuel up (competitive price & Clubcard points).
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